The Phone Interview

 For some, a job interview is enough to make your skin crawl.  I consider an interview like a first date (without the flirtatious looks and kiss).  However, not all interviews are face to face.  Sometimes a preliminary interview is conducted over the phone which has it's good and bad points.  A face to face allows the person being interviewed (interviewee?) the advantage of reading and picking up the interviewer's facial and body cues.  Obviously, this is not something one can do over the phone.  If you're good at "reading" voices, the phone interview might work well for you.  Here's the big HOWEVER:  treat the phone interview as the real deal.  It's still an interview, whatever the format.

PHONE INTERVIEW TIPS (a few)

• Be clear who is making the call and at what time
• If possible, speak from a land line in case of poor reception.  Your focus should be on the conversation, not on phone problems
• Schedule a time you know you'll have privacy and adequate time to talk
• Speak where there are no distractions and noise (TV, children, pets)
• Have your resume in front of you (this is an advantage over the face to face interview)
• Take notes (only if you're good at multi-tasking) - another advantage over face to face
• Send thank you via email

Consider an interview the most formal date you'll ever have.  

"Proper words in proper places make the true definition of a style"
~ Jonathan Swift

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Are You A Perfectionist At Work?

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"I am not perfectionist, but I like to feel that things are done well.  I feel an endless need to learn, to improve, and to evolve.  Not only to please other people, but also to feel satisfied with myself.  It is my conviction there are no limits to learning and that it can never stop, no matter what our age".

I'd like to say I wrote this quote on perfectionism, but that wouldn't be the truth.  These words ring true for me so I was compelled to share them.  I knew I wanted to write a post on perfectionism after having a heartfelt conversation with my sister but it took me so long to put the words on paper I found myself doing the very thing I wanted to write about!

  All of us get caught up with the need to be perfect,  especially in our work.  I believe we end up doing ourselves damage and often miss the moment.  I think it's commendable to push ourselves and set high goals but I think perfectionism is one of those elusive things in life.  Maybe I'm wrong.  But when I try to be "perfect", I wind up driving myself and everyone around me crazy.

When it comes to our work, it's important to challenge ourselves and do our very best.  That's all anyone (including your boss) can ask.

"Perfectionism is the voice of the oppressor".
Anne Lamott


"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Being Grateful

It's Thanksgiving eve and I'm sitting with my loving family around the fireplace (unlit) nibbling on appetizers and sipping wine spritzers.  Truth be told, we ate breakfast at 3pm!  My family is far from conventional (obviously) but what could be better?

I suppose if we all thought about it, each of us has something in our life to be grateful for, no matter how small.  You might be out of a job, in career transition or unhappy in your present work situation, but if you have the support of family or friends (or both), consider yourself lucky and be grateful.  If you can be  the same support system for yourself, it's the icing on the cake.

While going through a career transition can keep you on an emotional yo-yo, learning how to rely on your inner resources is like eating turkey on Thanksgiving day.

"Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life."

~ Joel Osteen

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Key To Job Hunting Success

The process of job hunting [and/or reinvention] sometimes offers more questions than answers.  In coaching individuals over the past decade, I have learned and seen what does not work – and what has proven to be effective in a highly competitive market.  No matter what the industry, level, job title/description, or salary, the basic “4Rs” are needed:

• Resume. A resume MUST show how your experience translates into solutions and assets an employer can use. 

• Responsibility. YOU are responsible for demonstrating how you'll be of service and convey this  every step of the process.

• Reach. Connections matter.  How you reach your network, the people you want to work for, the gatekeepers and every single person you speak to along the journey of the job hunt is forming an impression of you. 

• Results.  When you present yourself with confidence, ease, clarity of purpose, and you know what you want to convey, you get results.

"Action is the foundational key to all success".

Pablo Picasso

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Tips on How To Write A Professional "Thank You" Letter

"Wow, that was a great interview!  I met with two people and I'm invited back for a second round!  Ok, so what do I do next?"

If you want to leave a good lasting impression after a job interview, send the "obligatory" professional thank you.  You'd be surprised how many people fall short of doing this.   Perception is reality and you always want to be perceived as the absolute professional.  So, here are a few tips    that might be helpful when writing a professional thank you letter.

Professional "Thank You" Tips (I'm big on tips)

• Email your "thank you" - snail mail is more personable but the job could be filled by the time it's received (it's called "snail mail" for a reason)
• Don't turn your "thank you" letter into a novel (see earlier post on "Gone With The Wind")
• A professional "thank you" letter should reiterate your strong interest in the position, why you are the right candidate, and expressing appreciation for the opportunity to interview
• Send a "thank you" to everyone who interviewed you and a different version to each (just in case they compare notes)
• Use words that convey self confidence (i.e. "I know I'd be a strong asset to your company" instead of "I think I'd be a strong asset to your company").  Words are powerful and create an image in the reader's mind

Ok, I've said enough for now.  

"Writing is a socially acceptable form of Schizophrenia"

~ E.L. Doctorow

"Good Luck, And Good Night"

Laura Rivchun

Are You Worried About Job Stability?

Does your boss look unusually stressed lately?  Is he/she in and out of secret meetings behind closed doors?  Are co-workers buzzing around the water cooler that they've heard the company is in trouble?  If you've answered yes to at least two of these questions,  it might be time to take a look at your job stability.

If you're concerned that your company is headed for Chapter 11 or closing their doors for good, it's wise to prepare yourself for a situation that might be beyond your control.  Don't wait for your boss to tell you it's your last day at the office if you think your worst suspicions are true.  PROTECT YOURSELF.  Get your resume updated, start looking at your options, go to networking events, reach out to your contacts (wisely).  Be smart about which co-workers you share this with (if any at all).  Do whatever you can to avoid being the "victim employee".  Don't wait for the ax to fall.  No one ever said it's unethical to take care of yourself.  If you're suspicions were wrong, you've lost nothing.  If they were right, you saved yourself from a lot of heartache and grief.


"A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life".
~ James Allen


"Good Luck, And Good Night"

Laura Rivchun



  

How To Stay Emotionally strong After A Layoff

Everybody knows getting laid off can be traumatic on many levels.  The most obvious is wondering how you're going to put bread on the table.  If you've ever gotten the pink slip, this is sadly familiar.

While finances are often the first concern, there are emotional factors that  can wreak havoc on one's psyche.  Survival mode is not just figuring out how to pay the mortgage but the ability to manage your feelings in the wake of job loss.  No one is going to rescue you so you might as well rescue yourself.  Staying emotionally strong after a layoff is challenging but it can be done.

Here are a few pointers that can lighten your "emotional" load:

• Be mindful of self care (proper sleep, eat healthy, exercise)
• Surround yourself with supportive and positive people
• Be kind to yourself and allow others to be kind to you
• Network - being out of work can be isolating.  The best way to find a job is through business and personal referrals
• Utilize your time out of work as an opportunity to make a positive transition - reinvent yourself
• Remind yourself of your professional accomplishments and value them
• Find humor whenever possible.  Laughter is the best pain killer

"Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure"

~ Norman Vincent Peale

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Write A Resume, Not A Novel

Do you struggle writing your resume?  Do you worry if it's too short and doesn't show enough of your experience or that it's too long and the person reading it will fall asleep or go into a trance? Having read hundreds (more like thousands) of resumes in my career, I've been on the resume receiving end and it's tedious work sifting through resumes that are longer than "Gone With The Wind".

Statistics prove the average resume is read between 20-30 seconds.  Not a large window of opportunity to showcase your experience.  Your resume is a snapshot of your experience, skills, accomplishments and education.  A RESUME IS NOT A NOVEL.  Some people have a short attention span so you best grab their attention while the grabbing's good otherwise it might wind up in the "not interested" pile or used as scratch paper.

RESUME TIP:  If you're a new comer to the business world, your resume should be one page long.  If you have work experience, your resume should be a maximum of two pages.  Utilize space wisely by highlighting your accomplishments.  Employers like measurable results.  This is what will get your foot in the door and not that one of your "interests"is baking.

"Starting out to make money is the greatest mistake in life.  Do what you feel you have a flair for doing, and if you are good enough at it, the money will come".
- Greer Garson

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Career Coaching Announcement

I'm very pleased to announce the formation of Chrysalis Career Coaching.  As Principal, I provide coaching services to employees, executives and small business owners, enabling them to identify and achieve their ideal career goals.  I work with professionals in all fields around issues of job growth,  negotiation of fair compensation, and maintaining job security.

Stay tuned for future posts on issues such as  identifying your talents, managing career change, reinventing yourself in a tough economy, getting motivated and staying there, resume and interview tips, etc.

My website will be up and running soon (I'll keep you posted).  In the meantime I can be reached directly at lrcareercoach@gmail.com.

"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart give yourself to it"
- Buddha


"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

The Job Offer (Part One)

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Congratulations!  You've been interviewing for a job for ages (you probably feel like you've aged) and finally received a job offer!  It's the dream opportunity you've been waiting for  and you're ready to jump in and get your feet wet.  It can be a long haul going thru the process of changing jobs and believe me, I can relate.

I remember working full time while interviewing and afraid my boss would find out.  When headed out for  an interview, I would make a mad dash to the ladies room to change into a business suit praying I wouldn't run into my boss in the elevator on his way for his afternoon coffee.  Somehow, I never got caught but I would hold my breath wishing I could put a paper bag over  my head so he wouldn't recognize me.

HERE'S THE POINT:  You never want your boss to know you've been looking for another job (unless you work for your uncle) until you have a signed offer letter and specific start date. As Yogi Berra once said, "It aint over til it's over".  I'm talking about a signed, sealed, and delivered offer letter.  In this uncertain economy, we have to protect ourselves.  DO NOT, DO NOT accept a job offer until everything is in place.

I worked with a client who accepted a job offer prematurely, gave her boss notice only to have the job offer rescinded.  Where did that leave her?  Out of a job.  Don't let your excitement of a job offer turn into a potentially sour experience.  There's plenty of time to be excited once you're in your new job.

Stay tuned for my upcoming post on "The Job Offer (Part Two)

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Networking - It Boosts Your Business

As a career coach I always preach about the value and benefits of networking (see earlier post, "Network").  Do you ask yourself why are career experts always yakking about this?  Don't they have other important career advice to share?  Of course they do.  The fact remains, networking is one of the best ways to showcase your business (whether you're just forming one or are a veteran business owner).  Many of us are aware of this but still go kicking and screaming all the way to networking events.  I've been one of them from time to time.  Who wants to get out of their cozy PJ's to be the social butterfly for an evening?  I think we have to "just do it" as my sister who is a brilliant Psychotherapist always rants.  Enough of my 2 cents (seems I have a habit of doing this) and on to my personal networking experience.

The other night I attended a cocktail event hosted by The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) which I'm a member at the NYC chapter.  NAPW is a national women's networking organization (300,000 strong) and they're doing a huge campaign to promote the organization.  This lavish event (Cosmopolitans and Sushi flowing) was to introduce Star Jones (remember her?) who is NAPW's national spokeswoman.  The other reason the event was held was to invite a select few back the following evening for the taping of the NAPW's infomercial hosted by Star herself.  I don't know what the criteria the producers had in mind, but those interested (me), had to be interviewed in front of the cameras.  Well, I was selected and the following night I was interviewed by Star on the set (felt like I was on The View) about my involvement with the NAPW and how it has benefited my career coaching business.  Great business plug, right?   There's no better way to boost your business than on national TV.  This never would have happened had I stayed in my comfort zone in my cozy PJ's.

Stay tuned for another successful networking story and as a result heading up a mentoring committee for the NAPW's NYC chapter (great organization).

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Beware of Negative Colleagues

Have you ever worked with anyone who was hard to be around for more than 5 minutes?  Did you find yourself taking more trips to the bathroom just to escape the chronic whiner or nay sayer?  Sometimes dealing with difficult co-workers can be more trying than than the work itself.  All of us have our share of stress at work but it's easier to cope with if you are of like minds and truly enjoy the people you're around 8-10 hours a day.So, how do you work with difficult people without jumping out the window?  Some of these pointers might help:

• Suggest a resolution to a chronic complainer - they don't want answers or advice, they just want to complain and annoy everyone around them (I call it dumping).  Eventually, they'll go away and move on to the next victim.
• Be polite and acknowledge them out of courtesy but don't get sucked into their manipulation or negativity.  Let them know you're very busy and can't talk.
• Don't commiserate even if you feel the same way.  Misery loves company and they'll see you as an ally
• Try and resolve any issues on your own before going to your manager.  You don't want to be perceived as a rat fink.  If the situation doesn't improve or gets worse, don't  try and be the hero.  Go to your boss.  Be rational and leave the drama at the water cooler.  Most managers have enough on their plate but will appreciate that you want to work things out

There is no ideal situation working around a difficult employee(s) but there are some solutions to make your work environment more enjoyable.  SEE FUTURE BLOGS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH A DIFFICULT BOSS (that should be fun).  :-)

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

How To Keep Your Job In A Tough Economy

In today's uncertain economy, many of us worry about job security.  Millions of Americans have lost their jobs and the ones who are still employed worry if they will soon become a statistic and find themselves on the unemployment line.  There are no guarantees that you won't be the next to get the dreaded pink slip but there are steps you can take to keep your current job and create a more secure work environment for yourself.    

Here are a few tips that can help you keep your job and have some control in the process:

Make Your Contributions Measurable (to the right people) - Employers need to know how you've added to their bottom line.  If you saved them money or increased sales, secured new business with a significant client or put a new system in place, you'll stand out from your colleagues and be of value to the company.  Word travels quickly and you want the people who make the hiring and firing decisions to know they can't live without you.

Be A Team Player - No one likes to work with a difficult employee who complains or is plain lazy.  You don't win a boss' affection if you're high maintenance.  

Go The Extra Mile - Work longer hours to get a project completed on time.  This may feel like a sacrifice to your personal life but you want to be perceived as dedicated and hard working.  If you suffer from "job insecurity", this is not the time to be looked at as a 9-5 employee.  Take on added responsibility even when you're not asked.  The employee who doesn't take initiative and has a less than lack luster attitude, is more likely to be let go.

Grow and Develop New Skills - As a company grows, your employer wants to know you can keep up with their success and the challenges that it brings.  Make your talent and skills be viewed as essential to the company's future growth.  Come crunch time, you're more likely to be considered the greater asset than the employee who is happy with the status quo.

I'll provide more information and tips on how to keep your job (and sanity) in future posts.

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun   

Presentation, Presentation.....

There are many factors that leave a good impression in a job interview but It's foolish to think if we have the experience and skills, we've landed the job.  Of course it's important but there are other things that are considered. How you present is everything.  You can look good on paper (resume), but if you're lacking in presentation, personality or character, you won't be leaving the best impression at all.  In recruiter's terms we call these "soft skills".  You can't change your personality but you can always brush up on proper interview etiquette. 

Interview Etiquette Tips (for starters):

• Never keep an interviewer waiting (see earlier post, "Do You Know The Time Of Day?")
• Don't smoke just before the interview.  Lots of people are offended by the smell of smoke
• Turn smart phone off 
• Don't be more than 10 minutes early for an interview.  An interview is scheduled at a specific time for a reason
•  Always bring a resume even if it was sent electronically (bring an extra one in case another person is called into the interview unexpectedly)
• Dress appropriately (see earlier post, "Dress For Success")
• Send thank you email within 24 hours

I'll cover much more on the "etiquette" topic in future posts.  This is just food for thought.

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

   

Mask

Halloween in NYC is a big deal.  The parade in the West Village brings out all the characters (to the tune of several thousand).  Who needed  to go to the parade?  The subway provided sufficient entertainment.  Everywhere I turned, someone was wearing a mask or costume of some kind.  There were tons of zombie looking types, women with whisker faces and long cat tails, hairy wolves, witches (of course), pirates, gypsies, etc., etc.  My favorite was a young woman at the 59th Street subway station playing classical music on a violin and rhythmically twirling a hula hoop around her waist!  Sometimes I think people live in NYC for the people watching and entertainment alone!  When you live in a place like NYC, you don't even notice the bizarre and ridiculous anymore.  It's so commonplace.  Either way, it's definitely unique.

Halloween made me think how all of us wear a mask at one time or other.  It's scary to let people see who we are and what we feel at times so we put on a different face to protect ourselves.  Do you ever do this?  I do.

Going into a job interview occasionally means wearing a mask.  It doesn't mean you should be a phony but it requires putting on your best face even if you don't feel like it.  It could make a difference landing the job or not.

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun