Lost Your Job? - Get Out And Network

As a child, did you ever get lost?  When I was about 5 years old I got lost at Jones Beach and couldn’t find my way back to my parents.  It was terrifying.  I thought I would never find them in the sea of beach umbrellas and blankets, but I did. 

Losing a job can be devastating and make a person feel they’ve lost their way.  If you’re currently out of work does this feeling sound familiar to you?  I bet if you ask anyone who has lost their job they would agree they have felt the same way at one point.  I have been in this place myself (more times than I care to count) and learned that the best remedy is to get out amongst the living and network.  You don’t have to feel as alone and lost as I did as that little girl on the beach. 

"The future depends on what we do in the present."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Good Night, And Good Luck”

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you're out of work and currently interviewing, please contact me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about my "How To Ace The Interview" program which will jumpstart your interview techniques to help you land your ideal job.

Looking For A Job? - Be Kind To Yourself

Ah, Saturday.  The day to stay in bed as late as you'd like, leisurely sipping coffee.  Today you can actually enjoy eating breakfast like a human being at the dining room table instead of shoving a bagel down your throat while cramming into a commuter train train or driving on the Long Island Expressway.  Saturday is the day you can lay around in your sweats or PJ's like a lazy slug should you be so inclined.  Ok, so now you know I have "lazy slug tendencies."

Time away from work (or looking for work) is so  treasured by all of us.  But it seems many of us have to give ourselves permission to slow down and chill.  I wonder why we find it so hard to let go of work stress?  I'm as guilty as the next when it comes to stressing out about my work. When you think about it, it's such a waste of precious time.  Do you find yourself thinking about work too often when you're trying to enjoy some quality down time?  I suppose that's why yoga, health spas, and meditation have become so popular.  It's a great way to de-pressurize.  

For me, the beauty of Saturday is giving my "work brain" a rest.  I allow myself (or try) to slow down and put my work head on the shelf.

Whether you're currently employed or looking for a job, be kind to yourself.  All of us need to recharge our batteries because Monday rolls around soon enough.  It takes energy to be at your work best or interview best so do yourself a favor and give yourself permission to relax and just "be" so you can face the week refueled.

"For fast-acting relief, try slowing down."

~ Lily Tomlin

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - You can catch me as a featured guest on Coach World TV hosted by Terry Yoffe, NYC Chapter President of The International Coaching Federation (ICF) Monday, June 4th, 8pm on Time Warner Cable TV Channel 56.

How To Approach Your Boss For A Raise - And Be Successful!

Hello Readers!

I thought my absence might go unnoticed (Hmm, am I making a habit of disappearing?) these past couple of weeks but its seems my posts have been missed by some.  It's rewarding to know that my career advice and random tips are helpful to those who might need it.  I really do exist in human form and am not just some apparition (although it might appear that way at times).  I enjoy writing posts about related career topics (when I'm not obsessing about my writing skills) and love when you, dear reader, become engaged.

Enough about me....I recently attended a women's conference and was asked by a young professional how she should approach her boss for a raise.  She wasn't sure if she should send an email or give him a call.  Before she could get another word out, I emphatically told her that asking for a raise should always be done in a face to face meeting (if possible).


Ask to schedule some time with your boss (treat it like a business meeting).  Consider asking for a raise like selling yourself to a potential new employer.  Back everything up with specific examples of your accomplishments so your value is evident and how deserving you are of a salary increase.  It doesn't hurt to reiterate your unique skills and talent either.   You won't win your boss's favor if you point out that other people in your department may be making significantly more money than you.  You're there to discuss the merits of your performance, not anyone else's.

Approaching your boss for a raise may make you feel uncomfortable but you're more likely to walk away getting what you want if you KNOW YOU'RE WORTH and present yourself in a non-defensive tone.

It's very liberating and confidence building to get what you deserve.  Now go after it!!

"If you don't set a baseline standard for what you'll accept in life, you'll find it's easy to slip into behaviors and attitudes or a quality of life that's far below what you deserve."
~ Anthony  Robbins

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you'd like to fine tune your salary negotiation skills, please email me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn more about my coaching sessions that can help you get the raise you deserve and negotiate salary when a job offer has been made.

What Is The Toughest Interview Question?

If you've been interviewing for a job, more than likely you've discovered it can be a hair raising experience.  It feels like a giant test that you had better pass.  In some ways, the interview is a test.  So, you have to be prepared.

One of the toughest interview questions you have to be prepared to answer is, "What is your biggest weakness?"  Everyone dreads this question.  No one likes talking about something that makes them look vulnerable, particularly in a job interview!  The best way to approach this question is to turn your "weakness" into a strength.  Here are some examples:

~ I'm intense and find it hard to let go of my work at times
~ I'm tough on myself - I'm a perfectionist
~ I tend to overanalyze/overthink things
~ I take my work home with me

These so-called "weaknesses" are really in favor of an employer.  No one ever got fired because they worked too hard at their job.  See my point?  Chose your words wisely to put a positive spin on your weaknesses.

In my next post, I'll go into some of the things NOT TO SAY in answer to the same question, "What is your biggest weakness?"

"All our words are but crumbs that fall down from the feast of the mind."
~ kahlil Gibran


"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you'd like to enhance your interview skills, please contact me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about the program I'm offering, "How To Ace The Interview".

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Interview Etiquette - Before, During & After

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)
• Research company (you'll be asked, "Why do you want to work here?")
• Be prepared (review resume, know your story, and WHY HIRE YOU? answer)
• Dress appropriately (see earlier post, "Dress For Success")
• Send thank you email within 24 hours

"If we could see ourselves as others see us, we would vanish on the spot."

~Emil Cioran

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you have any questions about any of these tips, send me an email directly (lrcareercoach@gmail.com) and we can discuss.  Also, if you have any unusual interview stories you'd like to share with me, I'd love to hear about them.  

   

Common Job Interview Pitfalls

Have  you ever been on an interview and immediately afterward knew that you really botched up?  Did you feel you could have presented yourself so much better had you known the answers to some of those curveball questions?  More than likely, many of us have had one of those "dreaded" interviews.

We can't predict the personality of the interviewer or questions that will be asked but we can go in knowing we've prepared ourselves as best as possible.  Hopefully, the interviewer and you will connect and it will be the career match of the century.

To be at your interview best, there are some common job interview pitfalls that are necessary to address and might be missing from your interview preparation:

COMMON PITFALLS

1.  No clarity of story (paint your picture)

2.  Don't know your value. Why and how are you unique?

3.  Didn't back up convictions with measurables.

4.  Didn't convey transferrable skills

5.  Inappropriate answers/behavior 

6.  Lack of interview preparation (didn’t research, review your resume, etc)

 Ask yourself this: "Am I conveying my transferrable skills?  Do I know my value and what makes me unique?  Can I provide specific and "measurable" examples of my accomplishments?  Is my story clear?

Just some interview food for thought.........

"Fortune favors the prepared mind."

~ Louis Pasteur

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS -  My upcoming blog posts will address the 6 common interview pitfalls in greater detail (see above).  If you can't wait til my next post (that's a joke), please email me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com with any questions.

Looking For A Job? - Make Yourself visible

No, I was not abducted by aliens or sailing around the world in the last two weeks.  Nor was I knocked on the head only to awaken and not know my own identity (although, I have felt that way at times).  Plain truth is I somehow couldn't (didn't) find the time to sit down and write one of my "oh so insightful" blog posts.

Excuses, excuses.  Do you find yourself making a lot of excuses about your lack of career motivation or current job search?  Do you sometimes feel like taking a break from it all and disappearing from view?  If so, I understand but don't agree it's the best way to go.

When we disappear, people make all kinds of assumptions.  If you're in a job search and haven't been  networking or making those obligatory calls, one could assume you're no longer looking.  You could miss out on a great opportunity because of your absence.   Bottom line is this; if you're looking for a job, make yourself visible.  Reach out to your contacts, network when possible and don't allow people to forget about you and your unique talent.

If you assumed I disappeared because I was not committed and passionate about coaching, you were incorrect.  See what I mean?  

"The future depends on what we do in the present"
~ Mahatma Gandi

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - This past Monday I conducted a mentoring meeting, "How To Ace The Interview" for the NAPW (National Association of Professional Women).  Please look for upcoming posts on interview tips, common interview pitfalls, frequently asked interview questions, etc.