What Will You Be Doing When Hurricane Sandy Hits?

Unless you live on another planet (and maybe that wouldn't be so bad), you can't help but be unnerved by the scary anticipation of Hurricane Sandy as she gets ready to impact the Northeast.  Hurricanes in the Northeast?  What's going on here?  Whatever happened to those beautiful autumn days?

If you live in New York City like me, you've more than likely experienced the frantic urgency to stock up on water, food, batteries, candles, etc.  Hopefully, you didn't have to wait on a line that stretched down the block just to get into the supermarket only to find out they were out of supplies!  I guess I've lived in NYC too long because I don't have the patience for lines, not even for food!  I decided to be content with the few snacks and morsels I managed to buy at the local bodega and head back home.

I started thinking how millions of us are going to be hold up at home with no way to get to work (and who would want to go out in the "perfect storm" anyway?).  Hurricane Sandy might provide an opportunity to catch up on some things you've been thinking of doing but haven't had the chance to get to.    Have you been trying to find the time to revamp your resume, edit your profile on Linkedin or send an email to that referral you just met?  Weathering Hurricane Sandy might give you the time to take care of some of these things.  Of course, if you lose power, or get flooded, I don't expect you'll be thinking much about anything except your safety and comfort.  Hopefully, this will not be your concern.

What will you be doing when Hurricane Sandy hits?  You just might feel productive.......

"Time and tide wait for no man."
~ Geoffrey Chaucer

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Staying Positive While Looking For Work

If the name of this post, "Staying Positive While Looking For Work" is beginning to feel like a deja vu, there's a logical explanation.  On October 17th, I participated in a lively discussion with Susan Lager (renowned psychotherapist and relationship coach) on her blog talk radio show, The Couplespeak Relationship Forum.

As a career coach, my clients tell me the most difficult part of being out of work or in career transition is managing their feelings of worry, insecurity, and isolation.  For some, staying positive is easier than others.  Being the worrywart that I am, I   work overtime to stay positive.  It takes effort and mindfulness but it certainly can be done.  When negative thoughts start to control me, I take time out to meditate.  That's what helps me. Doing what's necessary to get to a more positive state of mind is different for everyone.  Whatever works for you, GO FOR IT!!

In the broadcast, Susan and I talked about accountability, setting goals, good self care, acceptance, self-affirming rituals, networking, and surrounding oneself with positive people as some great psychological tools and specific things job seekers can do to manage the job seeking/career transition effectively.  We also discussed how to avoid self-sabotaging behavior like being unprepared for an interview and how inappropriateness is the best way to shoot yourself in the foot.

If you're a current job seeker or in career transition and are struggling to maintain a positive image and attitude but couldn't listen to the live show, go to blogtalkradio.com/susanlager to catch the recorded show at your convenience.  I can also be reached at lrcareercoach@gmail.com if you'd like to learn about  my programs that can help you get on the right track to landing your ideal job.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
~ Winston Churchill

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - Did I mention you can log on to blogtalkradio.com/susan lager to listen to the entire October 17th Couplespeak Relationship Forum blog talk radio show, "Staying Positive While Looking For Work" with Susan Lager and Laura Rivchun?  I did?  Maybe Susan and I should have named the show, "How To Sharpen Your Memory While Looking For Work."

Looking For Work While Keeping A Positive Attitude 10/17 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

Looking For Work While Keeping A Positive Attitude 10/17 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

Looking For Work While Keeping A Positive Attitude 10/17 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

Looking For Work While Keeping A Positive Attitude 10/17 by Susan Lager | Blog Talk Radio

The Phone Interview - Make It Work For You

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

So, if you're wondering if a phone interview is considered an interview, the answer is YES.  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

PS - If you have a phone or face to face interview coming up and would like to brush up on your interview skills, get in touch with me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about my "How To Ace The Interview" program!

Accept Or Reject A Job Counteroffer?

Congratulations!  That job you've been interviewing for (to the tune of 4 separate interviews over the last several weeks) has come though.  They FINALLY made you an offer. Whoever thought it would take so long to make a decision about one potential new hire?  Everything's looking good.  They offered the salary you requested, benefits are great and you're even getting your own office (with a window!).  Bet you're glad that ordeal is over.  Now you can accept their offer and tell your boss you're quitting and finally get a good night's rest.  What?  Your boss made you a counteroffer?

If you think having a counteroffer is flattering and it might be something you should entertain accepting, think again.  Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the probabilities of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year are extremely high.  Once you have demonstrated your unhappiness to your employer, your loyalty will always be in question and in tough financial times, the pink slip might start with you.  Keep your focus on why you were looking to leave your present job in the first place.  The same circumstances that are making you think about a change will still be there in the future and will rear their ugly head sooner or later.  Your relationship with your boss (and possibly colleagues) will never be the same.

Accepting or rejecting a counteroffer can be the monkey wrench thrown into your career plans and not something you should take lightly.  Whatever decision you make, think of the consequences of your actions and how it will impact your career down the road.


"Progress always involves risk.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."
~ Frederick B. Wilcox

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

Is Your Current Job Stable?

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

PS - If you think your job might be in jeopardy, please get in touch with me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to discuss my coaching services and how I can help jumpstart your career with an eye-catching resume, winning cover letter, networking tips, and goal clarification.