Paloma Bowland

JOB SECURITY - JOB PRISON - PERSONAL JOB INSECURITIES

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:23:00 -0400

Job Security is something that everyone wants and few really have. Most people link job security with income security. Some career field specialists recognize that having multiple streams of income is more secure in this economy. Life becomes easier when you have more than one way to pay your bills.

However, job security is not just financial. Some believe they have security by holding out pieces of information/processes/client contacts from others. If others remain untrained, then they will have the key to success all to themselves and of course, the company will have to keep them employed to make these services work. This line of thinking is counterproductive and irrational. I believe in training, cross training and helping fellow employees to be successful. In this vain, I created job manuals. These manuals covered contact information, client lists, job duties, and how to do my job. When it was necessary for me to leave a position, this manual was their go-to reference. This manual is not only for permanently leaving the company. In case of a temporary emergency, someone could grab that and take over or hold down the fort. Training personnel will bring you security. Go out of your way to learn everything you can and cross train in other positions to add more value to your skill set.

Not only will those who seek job security by holding all they “keys to the project” find that is not really job security but also they may find themselves in a “Job Prison.” Job Prison is being “out of the loop “from new projects or positions. Yep, that’s right – you convinced them that no one else could do this project or understand this software, or work with this client. Now they will not budge or move you to new areas and guess what? Yep, right again – that job will go away or not be as productive anymore. A woman I once worked with had knowledge of a computer software program that she ‘just would not release’. She did make sure the work was done – but it was done by her and usually held the rest of us up for some part of the day. Since I love learning and the computer (on most days), I was able to learn the program quickly. In fact, the programmers and I made some significant changes that helped the company. I held classes for all personnel on these changes. I was a problem solver and a valuable asset to the company. My co-workers saw me as someone interested in making their jobs easier and someone they could trust to help them be successful. The mantra of business continues to be – Make me money – Save me money – Solve my problems!

These ‘Personal Job Insecurities’ lead to job and relationship failures. A person who is insecure or selfish will not share for the best of others and the company. The countermeasure for insecurity is to mentor with someone you admire. There are multiple benefits to this mentoring relationship. It can help insecure persons to see what they can add to their relationships and not just what they take out of them.

Try examining your job security from the viewpoint of your employer. Ask yourself:

What do I bring to the table beyond my job scope and duties?

How do I answer the Mantra for business?

Do others at my job value my help?

If you feel your position is secure, you might need to ask yourself the following question.

Are you aware of the signs that your company is having problems that may lead to layoffs?

SUCCESSFUL CLIENT AT JOB FAIR

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:56:00 -0400

A client of mine just got back from a job fair. This was their first ever excursion into the world of meets and greets as an event.

Their first impression was that they had landed on a rock full of penguins. With few exceptions, every man was in a black suit, white shirt, and red power tie. The women were in their version with pantsuits. Their faces reflected their desperation. Many tried valiantly to give the “pageant” smile when they reached the recruiter but the murmuring heard throughout the line was already noted. There were broad strokes of pleadings in the place where one would normally explain their expertise and value. Another piece of information to consider is that many had their résumé folded up, hidden away, dog-eared as though they were handing in a late paper to a disgruntled English teacher. Maybe it is because they felt it had let them down too many times before and was not worth much.

Before we go further, this article is not written to promote a sense of – ‘that is all right, it will all go away soon.’ Like you, I did not always appreciate what my mother told me I needed to change or that I was wrong. I do thank her every day I take breath that she loved me enough to make me better. This is written to be informative, to help those who are in need of change. If what you are doing is not getting results then you need to have a second look at the process.

The next impression the client received was from the recruiters giving him thumbs up on his résumé and bio. These people must have waded through a mountain of same-old – same-old paperwork and found his to be impressive, and refreshing. Yes, others had obediently followed the lots of white space, format it, and keep it to one page. This client did not have a one-page résumé but it was a more compelling read. He is an experienced professional and his résumé reads that way. We all know the dry textbook is not as interesting, though it may be more informative, than the page-turner of a thriller novel.

We are also doing something different with his business cards and it paid off big time. Every recruiter enthusiastically commented on it. The remarks indicated that their jobs would be so much easier with this type of résumé and card from everyone. Need I say that this client now is grateful for all the hard work it took to get that résumé and bio done? He was not nearly as happy about the writing and editing that took place. Nor was he particularly pleased with having to modify or ramp it up to be more in line with the job descriptions for the companies applied online. Ultimately, he is decidedly feeling good about his upcoming interviews with those companies who have now responded back to him.

To those who go through yet another round of “sorry” we cannot help you, my heart goes out to them. Yet, I note that in the blogosphere we burn up millions of words trying to help them to understand the rules of the recruitment world. When you do not know what the rules are, you cannot make a judgment call on being an exception to them. One point to make here is that an experienced person can definitely get by with more documentation. I well remember a young man whose entire claim to fame in the job market was being a dishwasher and a part time ‘dj’ –but his résumé was on the best paper and went on for pages as though he were applying to be the CEO of the company. Can you see for yourself now what the difference might be?

If you cannot afford, or do not have personal help, there are library shelves to the point of buckling full of career information and how-to-do. There are articles in newspapers, and every newscast at some point during the day has a segment on career basics. Your coach does not always have to be certified. It is amazing what good common sense can achieve. Run your information through a friend or relative who has a good head on their shoulders. Someone you would trust with their ability to make good decisions. One of the most important in your camp of advisors should be someone who is good at spelling. People who normally would be willing to ignore a “typo” are now putting these in the reject pile for lack of initiative or attention to detail. They have so many to choose from that they can afford to be picky in those they screen.

Have you thought about the way you represent yourself at one of these events? Do you slouch? Do you have a résumé you are proud to show? Have you heard that recruiters can smell fear and dejection a mile away? Do not give up hope! Life is in the details and a new job can be a mere detail away from being won.

NYSSA - PAT DREW SPEAKER

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 19:24:00 -0400

NYSSA - NEW YORK SOCIETY OF SECURITY ANALYSTS offers a Career Coffee on Fridays. The Featured Speaker for July 17, 2009 was Pat Drew. I will be speaking at the Society in October and wanted to meet with the staff and preview their target audience. Pat's bio is outstanding and she works primarily with top level executives. It was a pleasure to view her friendly style of motivation on an inportant aspect of the job search.

Her primary focus was on Networking. She indicated that Networking is to develop relationships for sharing resources. We need feedback and networking is for mutual benefit. Pat led us through a few exercises to help those who hesitate using the networking approach to job search.

The first exercise was to shake hands and meet as many people in the room that we could in 10 minutes time with a maximum of 2 minutes with one person.

Why did people hesitate? Some of the excuses and barriers mentioned were:

I have relationships that will help me.

It takes time to do this and I need something now.

I am not the "sociable" type

She next asked us to find someone in the room with the same color of eyes. Then we were to state what we were seeking and find out about the other person's needs. This exercise helped us to see that others have needs that we might be able to help with and so it REALLY is mutually beneficial that we seek to network.

Pat Drew & Company are experts in Overseas Assignments. www.patdrew.org Studies show that 20-50% of global assignments fail. The cost is huge. Pat Drew & Company trains, coaches and helps create excellent business process. Their results include: Organizational, managerial, leadership, team, and dynamic paths to success - Increased success rate for overseas assignments -Truly global business culture.

Please comment on Networking. How are you doing on networking issues? Do you still believe that most jobs come from "warm" contacts? What do you have to offer someone who may also be in transition? Why do YOU hesitate?

1010 NY PANEL - FEATURED SPEAKER JEAN CHATZKY OPRAH RADIO

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:25:00 -0400

In June 2009, Paloma was a guest at 1010 WINS –All News All the Time NY radio station for their - Personal Finance Breakfast Panel on “Survive the Tough Economy: Help, Hope and Sound Advice.” This panel was hosted by Judy DeAngelis morning news anchor. Featured was Jean Chatzky from Oprah Radio. Panelists were Richard Lipstein (Managing Director of Boyden Global Executive Search), Kathy Boyle (Founder and President of Chapin Hill Advisors, Inc. CFP) Joshua Persky Senior Manager Valuation and Corporate Finance at Weiser LLP, and Melissa Bushell Entrepreneur. Paloma spoke about Multiple Streams of Income at the event and gave counsel to small business entrepreneurs.

This panel was on Financial issues as they converge with Career Issues. The joint messages of the panel were:

· Find your passion and make it your career

· Put yourself in the hands of Professionals - now is not the time to "go it alone"

· There is nothing magical or mysterious about MONEY - You need to spend less than you bring in and have something on hand for emergencies. Then whatever you have leftover needs to be invested.

· Paloma spoke on MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME - if you can't make a better salary right now then maybe you can add to your salary in other ways.

Do you know what MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME can mean for you right now? Your first line of investment is in YOURSELF!