Category Archives: Attitude

How much can you make proving your attitude on your resume?

Posted on July 5, 2012 | Leave a comment

Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure.  The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.  (Norman Vincent Peale)

How much can you make from the attitude on your resume?

Many people earning over $150,000 each year cannot do the jobs of the people they supervise.  One of the reasons they are paid so much is that they can change the attitude of everyone who works for them. Creating the right attitude is so essential they may hire consultants, psychologists, and motivational speakers.  If you can help those higher level managers to create the right attitude, they’ll hire you.  You might even get that $150,000 job.

Prove your attitude

People who love their job prove it every day.  They volunteer to help, come in early and leave late.  Some people get involved in associations, online help forums, and job networks because they enjoy their job so much.  I’ve given college recruiting seminars because I wanted to tell others about my great job.  Put on your resume how you have shared your enthusiasm and knowledge with others.

If you have a great attitude you can think of several “proud moments” at work.  I still brag about the time I set a new production record for putting herbal powders in gelatin capsules.  It was a smelly unpleasant job where I loved breaking records. My setting those records got everyone else’s competitive spirit up and production soared.

At another job I remember finishing 4 months of being on-call for a new computer system.  I stayed up every night and babysat the system.  I helped bring the nightly problems from 10 or 15 down to 2 or 3 per night.  I’m proud of what I did.

Those are accomplishments that get you hired even if they don’t apply to the job you want to get.  They show a great attitude.

Go back through the jobs you have had.  Prove you had a great attitude. On your resume put moments you were proud of: helping others to work faster, training beginners, being on-call, working extra hours, and going beyond the job requirements. Prove your attitude.  Put the proof on your resume.  Mention the proof interviews.  Prove that you really want to change things for the better.  That alone may get you hired.

Something To Do Today

Make sure your attitude is obvious on your resume.

Use this resume planner to figure out how.

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Tomorrow:     Show ability

Later:              Show cost cutting and budget saving

Show increased revenue

Show better customer service

The Heisenberg uncertainty principle

Post-it notes

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Posted in Attitude, Resumes, talent

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How to get rewarded or punished for suggestions

Posted on June 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Steve points out problems in customer service and manufacturing and gets rewarded.  Tom has pointed out the same problems time after time and he gets poor performance reviews and has been put on probation once. The difference is in their approach.  Tom says to his supervisor, “I can’t believe anyone is so stupid that they let this happen.  What kind of idiots are running this company?”  His boss would have to be superhuman to take criticism like that without being offended.  Steve says, “I think we can save some time and money if we make this change. I’ll go talk to the supervisor in that other area and see if he thinks it makes sense.”

It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes. But the half-wit remains a half-wit, and the emperor remains an emperor. (Neil Gaiman)

Do you put sand in the gears or grease?

It is the same problem seen from two different perspectives.  The situation happens in every department in every company.  One person complains, another makes suggestions to the right people and shepherds through the changes. One is rewarded and the other is ignored or possibly punished.

It really does come down to putting sand or grease in the gears of progress.  If you get a reputation for solving problems and cutting costs you will be rewarded.  If you keep track of the improvements you bring about, you will be rewarded more on this job and can use those improvements to help you get the next job.

Something To Do Today

Check to make sure that all the improvements you started are documented in your job journal.  Make sure and estimate how much money or time was saved or earned because of you.

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Posted in Accomplishments, Attitude, talent, Uncategorized

Please discriminate against me because I am old

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

“I have completed all objectives as an executive for 37 years and was just laid off due to an industry downturn.”

To some people that says you were just laid off because you are an old retirement aged clock watcher, and they wanted to bring in some young blood.  They wanted someone with energy who will work harder.  You have just said, “Please discriminate against me because of age.”

In my experience age discrimination is much more common than discrimination based on race, sex, religion or any other factor. That’s reality.  No one wants to hire someone who is marking time until retirement.  They want an energetic go-getter.  Whether you are old or young you need to prove on your resume that you are not just a place holder.  List in bullets what got done only because you were at your last job.  Show your energy and enthusiasm.

The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. (Lucille Ball)

Don’t lie about your age, disguise it

Your resume has one function, to get you an interview.  That’s all.  If you were 37 years in one job and don’t want it to show, break up that job into the positions you held. List each position or division you worked for as a separate job entry with its own dates of service.  That way you can get the older dates off the first page of your resume.

Age discrimination isn’t nice, but it is a factor to consider.  Make your resume an effective advertisement for what you can contribute.  Avoid showing how old you are unless you are sure it will help you get the interview.

Are there other things that you think are causing people to discriminate against you?  Then deal with them.  Is it race?  There is a lot of discrimination against Asian-Indians in the USA.  They overcome it most often by persistence and education.  Is your sex a problem?  A physical disability?  Your speech impediment? Your religion? Accept that fact and learn to deal with it.  Accept that you need to shine brighter, and work hard to be so good that you cannot be refused by the best companies.

Something To Do Today

Are you over 40?  Time to start considering age discrimination.  Over 60? Age discrimination is a fact.  Deal with it in your resume.

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Next week:     How to get a friend a job

Sand in the gears

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Resumes

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Only allow reality on your desk when you hunt for a job

Posted on May 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.  (Philip Dick)

Each week someone says, “Bryan, I have applied for hundreds of jobs and no one even acknowledges my application!”  That may mean it is time for a reality check.  If they have 10 very good candidates, is it a waste of time for those companies to talk to you? Are you betting that no one else sees the same online ad that you do?  Sometimes a reality check will tell you good things, sometimes bad things.

I only allow reality on my desk as a recruiter.  I don’t “hope” that a client will overlook my candidate’s surly disposition.  I don’t submit him.  If I have a programmer whose references say he can’t get projects done on time, I withdraw his candidacy even when the company has made a job offer.  A salesman who has 3 jobs in 3 years and no positive results won’t get a job through our agency.  Reality rules my desk. I can’t work any other way and feed my family.

Bow to reality in your job hunting.  Sure, apply for jobs you are only barely qualified for, but don’t be upset when your resume isn’t even acknowledged.  If a company is laying off people, still apply for a job, but don’t wait with quivering excitement for a call.

Too many people think that The Power Of Positive Thinking says that self delusion works.  It doesn’t.  In that book by Norman Vincent Peale, he spends a lot of time dealing with reality.  So should you.

If you really do deserve a 50% raise, hope for it, but acknowledge that raises that big are rare.   Most people can expect a 5% to 20% raise.  Most people get a job at the same level they are at and work their way up in their next job.  Some do find a new job at a higher management level.  They are exceptionally well qualified.

Become exceptional at your current job and reality is that you can get a big raise and a promotion into your next company. If you are very good, expect a raise and a chance to earn a promotion.  If you are average, or less, no one is going to be in a hurry to hire you.

That is reality.

Something To Do Today

Keep a list of every job you apply for.  Also list how well qualified you are for the job.  Take a reality check.  Are you over qualified, well qualified, barely qualified, or under qualified?  Keeping honest track of that answer will help you if your job hunt takes longer than you expect.

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Tomorrow:     Double your value, make more money

Later:              Surveys

Please discriminate against me

How to get a friend a job

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Perseverance, Recruiters, Resumes

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Are you just like this trumpet where you work? Or like the band teacher?

Posted on May 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

It was in my mother’s garage.  A trumpet.  We have no clue where it came from.  We took it to the band teacher who said, “That’s a nice old German trumpet.  It should be cleaned and fixed.” We still don’t know where it came from.

The trumpet may play beautiful music again. It only takes up space and makes noise until its value is accurately assessed.  Then a master appears and music dances in the air.

Two things about jobs to learn from this.

  1. You have skills that still are waiting to be discovered.  I don’t know what they are.  If something comes easily to you, if you see things others don’t, then you need to explore those skills and where they lead. Unexpected gifts should be tested and developed.
  2. Other people have great potential to fix the very problems you can’t get your arms around.  The person who can help may already work in your office.  They only need some training and an opportunity.  Give them that opportunity and you have changed their lives.  Plus, they’ll work cheap for a while.  Look around you for talents others are not using.  You don’t have to be a manager to help people develop skills.

Are you the trumpet or the band teacher who can spot a great trumpet?

Something To Do Today                                              

Take a fresh look at your personal skills.  What do you pick up most quickly?  What do you see or hear that others can’t fathom?

Also take a fresh look at the people around you.

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Nest week:           Brass knuckles and the law (and resumes and interviews)

I only allow reality on my desk

Double your value, make more money

Surveys

Please discriminate against me

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Posted in Attitude, Promotions, talent

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3 things to do with negative people and situations

Posted on May 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

It is worth our time to honestly evaluate the person and situation before stamping them with the mark of the negativity beast.

However, if they’ve shown their horns… when we have given a fair and diligent look at both positions and they are obviously being negative for negative’s sake… we need a plan for how to make the most of the situation.

See the whole article here.

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Posted in Attitude, Quitting or Fired

3 job disasters and who’s in charge of you

Posted on May 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

What is the connection between these 3 job disasters and you?

A director of accounting went to the SEC with evidence of fraud.  Several executives were put in jail.  He was told by the new managers, “Trust us.  We’ll take care of you.”  Exactly a year later he was on the streets looking for a job.

An industry downturn was coming.  A merger happened.  The worker trusted that his 20 years of service would save him. He was laid off.  It was too late to get a new job.  The people who were laid off first got them all.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans.  FEMA came in to help a few days later.  It was too late.

You are in charge of your life.  You are in charge of your career.  If you hear yourself saying that someone or something will keep you from getting fired, stop and think.  If you die tomorrow, you will be replaced.  You can always be replaced or eliminated.

If your performance is outstanding you can find another job.  If you have been growing your credentials, learning, getting certifications and networking, then you’ll get that new job very quickly.

It’s your career.  It’s your life.  You need to be in control.  You have to be the first person to respond to an emergency involving your job. Don’t be paranoid.  Be prepared.

If you don’t accept responsibility for your own actions, then you are forever chained to a position of defense.  (Holly Lisle)

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Time management

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Waiting for the “Help Wanted” sign

Posted on April 24, 2012 | 1 comment

Are you like this friend of mine?

A dishwashing job.  My friend hopes he can get a dishwashing job.  He is afraid to go into any restaurant unless it has a “Help Wanted” sign.  He just can’t bring himself to even talk to them unless he knows they need help right now.  I have explained that most restaurants have a stack of applications and just pick someone out of the pile for a dishwashing job.  Still, he can’t bring himself to walk in and apply.

I need to take him into some of those restaurants.  We’ll talk to the managers and fill out some applications.  He just needs someone to help. He’s not like you.  He doesn’t use computers at all.  He is in his 20’s and struggling to earn a High School equivalency diploma. You are light years ahead of him in most ways.

Do you have his same fears? Are you waiting for a “Help Wanted” sign?

Applying for jobs at companies that advertise in the newspaper or on the internet is a good idea.  Too bad that most jobs are never advertised.  Do you want to find the jobs that are never advertised, and be considered for them? Then you need to learn good ways to find jobs when there is no “Help Wanted” sign.

Over the next few days I’ll talk about ways to get a job at companies that have NOT put out the “Help Wanted” sign.

Something To Do Today

Make a list of companies you would like to work for.

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Tomorrow:     Networking

Later:              Calls to companies

Intelligent use of recruiters

Get famous, get a job

Sneaky no good cops set a trap for me

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs

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How to motivate yourself to search EFFECTIVELY

Posted on April 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

An actor asks himself, “What is my motivation?”  The rest of us laugh at him.  He’s trying to figure out which way to face on a stage.

Ice cream used to motivate me. I’d walk on hot coals to get it.  I still like ice cream, but it won’t get me to detour 100 yards to a store now.  Sometimes leaving work early is a great motivator.  Some days a chance to go for a walk will get me to work hard.  Winning is a great motivator at times.  Sometimes letting my kid just barely win is a motivator. What motivates me changes hourly, daily, weekly and monthly.

Getting a job is often not enough of a motivator in your job search.  To avoid pain, unmotivated people spend hours in front of a computer “playing” with job boards. There is no need to call people and admit you want a new job. Lack of real motivation is behind taking friends out to eat instead of creating a network by eating with more helpful strangers.

I have come to the conclusion that my subjective account of my motivation is largely mythical on almost all occasions. I don’t know why I do things. (Lloyd Dobens)

Use motivation in two ways.

  1. Figure out what motivates you to avoid a job hunting method
  2. Use motivation to get you to work harder.

Real networking is difficult for many.  Calling up a company and asking for the manager, VP, CFO or President is impossible for many people. Try to figure out why that call is difficult, while a call to HR (Human Resources) is easy.  HR knows less about jobs than the VP of Operations does.  If fear or embarrassment keeps you from making calls to real decision makers, admit it.  Talk about it with someone.  Make some commitments and work your way through it.

Making a few MORE contacts can also be difficult.  Find rewards that will get you to make a few more calls and submit more resumes.  It can be that you will only watch your TV show if you get 3 more resumes out or make 3 more calls.  Set a goal of only going golfing if you are taking a potential hiring manager from another company.  Decide you won’t turn on the computer until you have made 4 follow up calls where you have submitted your resume.

Think of what motivates you today.  Admit roadblocks and work around them.  Find little incentives you can give yourself to do just a little more in your job search.

Something To Do Today

Choose one activity you avoid.  Give yourself an incentive to do it.  Now do it.

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Tomorrow:           Waiting for the “help wanted” sign

Later:                    Networking

Calls to companies

Intelligent use of recruiters

Get famous, get a job

Sneaky no good cops set a trap for me

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Posted in Attitude, Finding jobs, Job Boards, Networking, Perseverance, Time management

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