“Worst first!”

The research is conclusive; setting small daily goals gets things done!

At the end of each day, write a list of three tasks that must be accomplished the following day. Post the list on your bathroom mirror and forget about it. 

The next morning, tackle those three items. The rule is: “Worst First!” Meaning, get the important, necessary and tough stuff started or finished before you do anything else. 

Maybe you’re procrastinating about asking the friend of a friend for an introduction or contact? Put it on your “Worst First!” list. 

Maybe you really need to exercise or meditate in the morning. Put it on your “Worst First!” list. 

Maybe you’re putting off reading a journal article that will help you become more knowledgeable. Put it on your “Worst First!” list. 

Everyday, commit to your “Worst First!” list. Do nothing until you start each task: Do not check email. Do not go on the Internet. When you finish your “Worst First!” list, anything else you do during the course of an average day is a huge bonus. 

Thinking about hiring a career consultant?

If you're curious about my Career Consulting Programs. You can visit my website at workplacesolutionstampa.com

Here's a summary of how I differentiate myself from other coaches and consultants:

                 

                  My “Career Decisions and Directions” program is rooted in a method known as Appreciative Inquiry: a questioning and decision making process that explores 4 areas:  DISCOVER, DREAM, DESIGN, and DELIVER.

                  With both college students and second career clients in mind, my method is  thoughtful, thorough and comprehensive. It is ideal for individuals who value making  career and employment decisions methodical manner.

What happens next?

                  1. I send clients my online questionnaire and an assortment of assessments that identify    values, interests, personality and strengths.

                 

                  2. We schedule three two-hour personal or Skype sessions: (usually a week or two apart)

                                   

                  Session I - DISCOVERY is dedicated to discovering and validating of their talent, strengths, knowledge, skills and abilities. The questions reveal strengths and identify possibilities.

                                   

                  Session II – DREAM and DESIGN covers exploring career possibilities based on who they are, what they’re good at and what is personally meaningful. In this stage I ask, “What’s possible”? “What’s the best way to design this path”?

                                   

                  Session III - DELIVER focuses on practical questions and answers such as: Where are my employment possibilities? What’s my best resume design? How do I network effectively? What’s a genuine professional pitch? Ho do I                                                        distinguish myself from others? What value to I bring to the job market?

                 

                  3. When all our sessions are completed and decisions are made or options defined, I encourage clients to continue reaching out to me for ongoing advice and support.

Confessions of a Hiring Manager

In the course of my 30 year career in human resources and career consulting, I have had the privilege of interviewing thousands of applicants from Fortune 100 companies to Mom & Pop small businesses. 

So I'm sharing some of my inner thoughts while interviewing candidates. It is my hope that this list will give you insight into the minds of hiring managers. This is the kind of insider information I share with my clients. It gives them a great foundation and a competitive edge.

Is there an immediate connection?

Are you friendly? Affable? Approachable? Are your instantly likeable?

Are you comfortable and confident?

Do you belong on this team? Do your skills and strengths complement the team’s?

Do you have a professional demeanor?

Are you smart enough for this job?

Will you work your butt off and do whatever it takes?

Do you have energy and enthusiasm?           

Do you have the critical skill sets or can you learn them quickly?

Are you going to face problems, adversities and difficulties?

Do you have the grit and determination to get though tough situations and difficult people?

Are you high or low maintenance?

Are you positive and reasonable or a whiner and complainer?

Are you a realistic optimist or are you cynical and negative?

Are you a careful and critical thinker?

Do you think before you act? Or Do you act before you think?

Are you a self-starter?

Will you get things done?

Do you have what it takes to meet challenging deadlines?

Do you get right to it or wait until you’re told?

Will you win others over?

Are you easy for the others on my team to like?

Are you humble or full of yourself?

Do you take yourself too seriously?

Have you learned from your mistakes?

Will you add value to my team?

Will hiring you make me look good?

Will you make my job easier and add synergy to my team?

Questions for your Mentor

Now that you've snagged a coffee with a mentor, a little preparation will go a long way. Plus frankly, a prepared list of issues and questions is well, rather impressive!

Here's my personal inventory. I've collected these through the years. Hand pick the ones that work for you.

Warm-up and Rapport Question
How did you get your start? 
Did you have a mentor?
What character strengths account for your success?
What's a tough issue you've had to overcome and how did you do it?
With the the benefit of hind-sight, what would you do differently?


Questions to Help Prepare for a Career in this Field
How can I best prepare to working in your industry?
What skills, talents, and personal qualities are most essential?
What kinds of internships would you recommend?
How rapidly is the industry growing? What do you foresee?
What entry-level opportunities offer the best potential for growth?
How do people find out about jobs in this field?
How are they advertised, or is word of mouth more important?
Which professional organizations would help me learn more?
How well suited is my background for this type of work?
What other fields do you suggest I research?

Questions about a Particular Organization/Company

Why did you decide to work here and what do you like most?
What personal and professional traits have served you well here?
How does your Company distinguish itself from the competition?
Tell me the type of employee that is a good fit here?
What do your hiring mangers look for in candidates?  

Referral to Others

Based on our conversation today, what other people do you believe I should talk to?
Can you give me names of a few who might be willing to see me?
 May I use your name when I contact them?

Two of my favorite mentors: 

My dad, Manny Garcia and Penn, guest professor, George Vailliant, MD 

Growing up, Dad bombarded me with lectures, pontifications, and endless aphorisms such as: 
"This too will pass" 
"Never, never, never give up" 
"When you walk through a storm keep your head up high" 
"Do it like you mean it" 
"Get over it" 
"You are going to have to grow up quickly"

George was my favorite profession at the University of Pennsylvania. He inspired me to think broadly and to both nurture and tame my gift of empathy for others. He is who I want to be when I grow up! 

Those are mine...Who are yours? Send photos!

Reaching out to Mentors

Reaching out to successful people you admire and respect is a wise career strategy. Take an inventory of the professionals you admire. Be brave and reach out to them. Established professionals are busy but the best of them make time time mentor promising professionals.

I am always flattered when young professionals and even my peers reach out to me for an informal career check-up. I  enjoy being treated to coffee, breakfast or lunch.  The invitation gives me the opportunity to pay a favor to someone who might refer my services to a friend in the future. It's a win-win deal. Plus, it gives me the opportunity to be kind and generous and and pay-it-foward and that's always a priceless benefit.

Here's an example of how to craft such a request:

Hello. I'm Caroline Kirkland. Lisa Jacobson suggested I get in touch with you to request an informal meeting - an "informational interview" is specifically what I have in mind. I've been working in the finance industry for several years and would like to explore the possibility of applying my skills in the non-profit sector. I'm especially interested in causes that support babies and children.

I'm sure you're very busy, but I was wondering if your would be inclined and have time for a quiet lunch or 30 minute conversation over coffee, or at your office; my schedule is flexible.  I'd love the opportunity to ask you some questions about how you got started and how your career evolved.

Your input would be greatly appreciated and I will gladly pay the favor forward.

Best,

Best Applicants Don't Always Get Offers

Why the Best Qualified Applicants Don't Always Get Job Offers

Ever have a hunch that you were the probably the most qualified candidate for a position opening, yet you didn't get the job offer or promotion? 

It's not always the person with the best credentials who gets the job offer. Many factors weigh in the decision making process: credentials, experience, ability to hit-the-ground-running, technical skills, personality, politics and more… It's possible that the candidate with the job offer in hand was simply better at describing how their skills, knowledge and traits will add value to the organization. She might have demonstrated more clearly how her personality traits "fit like a glove", are ideal for the job and add value to the team and organization.

From Sanskrit to Twitter comes the well worn mantra: "know thyself". What are you waiting for?  Be the subject matter of yourself. Master your brand. Differentiate yourself. Discover your strengths. Can you describe yourself in a way that is meaningful to employers? If not, perhaps it's time to take an inventory. The Internet is full of self-assessments. In my opinion, the best assessments are: 

Myers-Brigs Personality Type

VIA Character Strengths and Virtues Authentichappiness.org

Strengthsfinder2.0

Any or all of these assessments will help you take inventory of your strengths and develop an extensive vocabulary for defining and differentiating yourself from others.

Do you know your Positivity Ratio?

3:1 is a healthy positivity ratio. That's 3 positive emotions to every 1 negative emotion.
But don't stop there. 3:1 merely meets the "Meh"or "I'm OK" or "Fine" standard.  Positivity ratios can soar as high as 11:1 before they start to appear manic and delusional.

In the workplace, a ratio of 6:1 is ideal.  This ratio of positivity to negativity allows teams to thrive and flourish and get stuff done.

When stressed, I sometimes take 1 minute to savor the beauty of these exquisite roses.
They are from the garden of Marty Seligman. Just looking at them puts me in a state of awe and wonder. Beauty in nature is soothing and calming.

Here are some ways to raise your positivity ratio at work. All of them require only 3-10 minutes.

• Listen to your favorite music with your eyes closed and fully experiencing it.
• Tell a clever joke or story.
• Share a funny Youtube video. 
• Take time to have a little bit of fun. Play is fuel for rebooting the brain. Recreation = RE CREATE.
• Savor the beauty of nature. Take a 10 minute walk outside. Even looking at photos of nature can be effective.
• Take a micro-spa break: For three minutes. Watch your breath come in and out. Visualize fresh mountain or beach air in and exhale the toxic air in your lungs out.

Raising positivity requires slowing down.Try inserting little gaps of goodness, savoring, laughter into your work day.