Ask Marcia, the Transition Chick

Social Networking-why bother?

I just read a blog-(weblog) on how employers/companies view social networking...
They think it has value & can serve as a best practices discussion, professional development, even helping retention by the employees having a community of employees that share being in an industry/position/ job seeking tips-within their company or in general.

So, why not use LinkedIn or MySpace, Yahoogroups...to help your job search?  You tap into the Hidden Job Market & begin networking!  80% of jobs are found through networking!

I'm dabbling in LinkedIn-wanna network? :)

In Abundance!
Marcia

Job Search & support...

I'm currently teaching my Get Hired Now or Hire Yourself! Telesries (next one starts next year-Jan. 10th!)  We discuss the job search process step by step... Some of the best things seem to be the support of the group (their team) & the on-going accountability to keep on track & follow the personalized Action Plan we devised together.

Whether it's a program, like mine or a fellow job seeker or a job club...that support makes a big difference!

I conduct/facilitate a CareerChat Meetup Group each 1st Wed. of the month at a local coffee place, The Evergreen at 2pm.  We meet, it' informal, a Q&A on all aspects of the job search, resume writing, company research, interviewing, career change...whatever!

Go to www.careerheromovie.com-it's an animation of the job search process I did!

You don't have to ride the "finding a job" roller coaster!  Get support-you don't have to go it alone!

In Abundance!

Marcia

www.eCareerCorner.com  Sign up for your FR*EE Transition Trimph Toolkit today!

5 Guaranteed Ways to blow an interview...

I'm all about helping my clients with job search "roller coaster".  My Get Hired Now Teleseries  (http://www.eCareerCorner.com/transitions/gethired.htm)is designed to combine accountability with support & guidance all in a small group(6 people max!) environment!

We speak of interviewing Do's & Dont's-folks always remember the Donts! :)

These are sure things, GUARANTEED to bomb in an interview!

1.    Be negative!  Find something to complain about-the traffic, the job requirements...Whining works wonders, too!

2.    Exaggerate what your skills are-so what, if you don't know EXCEL...you can fake it, right?  Wrong!
Now, if you've worked with similar programs, learned quickly, feel confident you will quickly be proficient-fine...But saying you're an EXCEL expert?  Not!

3.    Talking, but not listening to the interviewer's questions.  After all, every interview is the same, so why listen anyway?  The interview can be a conversation-talking & listening-2 ears, 1 mouth-Think about it!

4.    Be such a cocky "know-it-all!  Strengths?  Of course, you have a ton!  Weaknesses-never!  Not any!   You have nothing to learn...You're a perfect person!  No one is...

5.    Just go in cold.  You're good at thinking on your feet, right?  Why be prepared?

BONUS-Make sure your references never check out-better yet, lie on your resume and about your past work history!

If you do ANY of these, the interviewer's radar is alerted!  Do all of these & guaranteed, you'll get to do it all again...you'll still be interviewing...

How many are you "guilty" of?

In Abundance!
Marcia The Transition Chick!
Career/Life Transitions Coach
www.eCareerCorner.com

Be prepared for the unexpected...

This is from personal experience.  I was unexpectedly stranded in Houston-mechanical problems with plane...no luggage-had to stay overnight-airline put me up-but, I got to thinking-what if I had an interview the next day??

So, for those job seekers who ever travel for an interview, here's some pointers I knew, but forgot!
1. Always pack a change of undies in your carry-on, a toothbrush and toothpaste also go in there.

2. In this age of cellphones-put the cellphone charger in that carry-on as well.      

3. A change of clothes would be just great!

I try to travel light so, extra clothes wasn't an option!

You should call the company you have the interview with ASAP-hey, it's not your fault-no one can blame you...it just is!

If you can swing it and have time to get another outfit- go to Walmart or find a good sale, go for it...If not, go to hotel, take a shower,  shave, for the guys, if can, -be as presentable as possible...

Hey, sadly, most people (employers, too) have had some time like this one, and should understand!
It may even "break the ice" & build rapport faster...and, that's what you want!  It's how you handle this situation that shows "grace under pressure", flexibility, sense of humor, and your humanity.  Don't sweat it!
Love to hear if you have had any experiences like this.

In Abundance!
Marcia -Listen at my Media Room-I'm on another radio show!  Listen at www.v1370.com or WomanTalkLive.com, too!

Marcia Merrill,CCMC,JCTC
Marcia the Transition Chick!
Career/Life Transitions Coach
http://www.eCareerCorner.com
410-467-0811  (cell)410-303-6371   (fax)1-443-836-2402

Fall in love with your LIFE & your work! (in that order!)

**Starting next classes Sept 18 @7pm EST-Get Hired Now! or Hire Yourself! Sign up to get notified when you can register!
Includes seven -one hour sessions & a cookbook-approach manual to help with your career search...This small group teleseries is designed to decrease your stress, increase your happiness, keep you on track, prevent overwhelm & get unstuck, move forward to a Job/Life that FITS!
Easy to follow 28-day Action Plan & Proven System-Guaranteed to produce results IF you put in the effort & follow through!
Sign up at www.eCareerCorner.com/transitions/gethired.htm

___________________________________________
Contact me for your complimentary 25 min. coaching strategy session
marcia@ecareercorner.com 
Sessions by phone with follow up emails/mail/fax.  Appts. arranged to Suit Your Needs!!

Get 7 FR*EE Lessons from Teachers in The Secret!
http://www.lawofattractionthinking.com

      

Blogging's not just for entrepreneurs...

Ever hear of digital dirt?  That's when your blog or comments on another blog or an unfavorable article online or misquote-it's there!  But, did you know that 60-70%of employers Google their candidates!

Showing your expertise-writing about your field of interest makes for a compelling blog post!
Many employers/coworkers may find your blog & read bits.  And with Andy Wibbels EasyBake weblogs course
was soo worth it!  Through easy, step-by-step classes-all by phone & an online forum to use to connect &  get ongoing feedback from other colleagues & Andy, on occassion.  I am so glad i took this blogging course-I set up my first blog ever in 15 mins-now, i do another one, too.  Both using Typepad.  Take his blogging course-starts Mon.  Here's my affiliate link for his blogging course.

So, what are you waiting for-can you do it without someone  helping you make connections-may lead to a job!

In Abundance!
Marcia the Transition Chick!

Transformers & job seeking...

All the hype about the Transformers movie-Mt. Dew, a car company, others...

But how does this relate to the job search?  Glad you asked! :)

A job seeker has to be a transformer-turn into an expert on crafting the perfect resume, an interview expert-acing the interview! and a combo job search strategist/salary expert to find the lucrative & job that is a good fit!

Tough job-but is it reasonable to expect the career seeker act like a transformer?
Experts exist, I'm one, but also web sites, books-get ideas...you don't need to do all this alone!

And if you're feeling overwhelmed & stressed?  Not unusual, many of my career coaching come to me just for those reasons...

What's been your experience?

In Abundance!
Marcia

Marcia Merrill,CCMC,JCTC
Marcia the Transition Chick!
Career/Life Transitions Coach
http://www.eCareerCorner.com
410-467-0811  (cell)410-303-6371   (fax)1-443-836-2402

Fall in love with your LIFE & your work! (in that order!)

**Starting July 18@7pm EST-Get Hired Now! or Hire Yourself!
Includes 7 hour sessions & a cookbook-approach,maual to help with your career search...This small group teleseries is designed to decrease your stress, increase your happiness, keep you on track,  prevent overwhelm & get unstuck,  move forward to a Job/Life that FITS!
Easy to follow 28-day Action Plan & Proven System-Guaranteed to produce results IF you put in the effort & follow through! www.eCareerCorner.com/transitions/gethired.htm

___________________________________________
Contact me for your complimentary 25 min. coaching strategy session
marcia@ecareercorner.com 
Sessions by phone with follow up emails/mail/fax.  Appts. arranged to Suit Your Needs!!

Get 7 FR*EE Lessons from Teachers in The Secret!
http://www.lawofattractionthinking.com

Is it really ok to not take first offer?

I'm concerned that many folks fear "rocking the boat" by negotiating once a job offer is made...I know some folks fear if they don't immediately accept, the employer might change his/her mind!
Or, some feel that once they're hired, the boss will find out they really don't know anything at all about anything!  The "Impostor Syndrome"-better take whatever they offer before they find out they made a mistake!

Chances are very good that you DO have skill sets, know something and are the "solution to that employers' problem." Yes, you are the SOLUTION to the employers' problem.  They need someone to fill this position...and you can!  It's a fit!

Once the employer discovers that through the interview-then a salary discussion is soon to begin...but not, yet!  Talking about salary, benefits, compensation is theoretical until an offer is made.  Find out when they expect to be notified-hearing from you...How bout sleeping on it?  "I'm very flattered, I'd like to talk it over with my husband/wife/dog-(just kidding-wanted to see if you were awake!)   I can give you a decision by...

You have the offer-ball's in your court-You can decide to accept the offer-decline-it's really not a fit...or negotiate-based on your knowledge of salary in the marketplace, your industry..."I am flattered but I know the range for a position such as this one is 40-65K or whatever your research shows...
I have similar experiences or maybe you don't but have demonstrated you're a quick learner...
I feel this warrants a boost to more middle of the range...Let them say dollar amount.

If ok-maybe it's ok with the idea, but, perhaps you want a commitment that they'll review in 6 months and you're confident that your salary will be increased due to your performance.

Everything is negotiable-pay, maybe vacation, leave, even hours in some cases.

If interviewing as a new employee to the workforce-entry-level, negotiation is still possible.  It's ultimately always the candidate's decision once an offer is made.

Would you share with me your negotiation stories-how it did or didn't work.  You don't have to agree-I enjoy controversy-it's ok.

In Abundance!

Marcia

 

Marcia Merrill,CCMC,JCTC

Marcia the Transition Chick!

Career/Life Transitions Coach

http://www.eCareerCorner.com

410-467-0811 (cell)410-303-6371 (fax)1-443-836-2402

 

Get 7 FR*EE Lessons from Teachers in The Secret!

http://www.lawofattractionthinking.com

 

 

Fall in love with your LIFE & your work! (in that order!)

 

Contact me for your complimentary 25 min. coaching strategy session

marcia@ecareercorner.com

Sessions by phone with follow up emails/mail/fax. Appts. arranged to Suit Your Needs!!

 

 

 

 

Does Job Search takes a vacation in the summer?

Summer is here-well, officially, not til 21st...but, hey-it's been 80-90 degrees in Baltimore, Maryland!  Trust me-Summer is here.

And many of my coaching clients exclaim-"I can't job search in summer, better to go to the pool and pick it up back in Sept. Right?
WRONG!

Like the Holiday times, networking- can happen more easily, folks tend to be more happy...Summer is like that, too.  more laid-back...so, take advantage of the time!  Many jobseekers will drop the ball...leaving things & follow ups til September!

What is your preferred time for job search?

 

 

 

In Abundance!

Marcia

 

Marcia Merrill,CCMC,JCTC

Marcia the Transition Chick!

Career/Life Transitions Coach

http://www.eCareerCorner.com

410-467-0811 (cell)410-303-6371 (fax)1-443-836-2402

 

Get 7 FR*EE Lessons from Teachers in The Secret!

http://www.lawofattractionthinking.com

 

 

Fall in love with your LIFE & your work! (in that order!)

 

Contact me for your complimentary 25 min. coaching strategy session

marcia@ecareercorner.com 

Sessions by phone with follow up emails/mail/fax. Appts. arranged to Suit Your Needs!!

Did you know blogging can effect your job search?

I just attended a session on blogging and how often employers google their resume prospects BEFORE offering an interview!  Wow!  You should google yourself.  See what comes up...good & not so..."digital dirt"!

Well'gotta go grab dinner!  I'm at Career Masters conference-had to share!  You know, I'm telling my career coaching clients!

In Abundance!

Marcia the Transition Chick!

www.eCareerCorner.com

Trade Shows-great places for Job Search!

I took an unplanned hiatus-fell in office-I'm bruised, but, ok...now.  My laptop faired worse! :)

The Womens Expo in Catonsville, Maryland USA is this weekend. There are 175 exhibitors (I'm one of them!)  Some solo-entrepreneurs, but some small businesses with employees.

One of my career transition coaching clients is helping me set up tonight & coming back Sun!
To do some networking-building relationships that'll help in her search!  Talking to others about their business is a great way to do your research on possible careers, potential industries, employers...

So, anyone going or attended a trade show?

In Abundance!
Marcia the Transition Chick!
Career/Life Transitions Coach
www.eCareerCorner.com Sign up for my FR*EE 5 Secrets to Career/Life Triumphs!  Get my ezine/newsletter as a BONUS + 2 other BONUSE-shhh!  It's a Secret!