So Tell Me What You Want, What You Really, Really Want

My new favorite show is House Hunters International. My poor husband has seen more episodes than he’d care to admit (I love you, Honey!). Since I rarely get out of the country, it allows me to live through others and learn about incredible places in the world. Sure, places like Rome and the Caribbean are big draws, but Portugal?? Granted, as I mentioned, I don’t get out much, but who knew?! (Note to anyone Portuguese: no offense was meant here. I’m just seriously clueless when it comes to Portugal.)

In case you haven’t seen it, the premise is potential home buyers provide criteria to a realtor, who in turn shows them three properties, from which they choose one. What I find interesting about the show however, is that often the realtors ignore some of the criteria provided to them by the potential home buyers. They say they want three bedrooms or close to the beach? They get shown one or two that way, but also one that’s two bedrooms half an hour from the beach. Granted that’s not always the case, but it happens more often that you would expect. Sometimes the buyer loves it and purchases the home, other times they stick with what they originally wanted.

So here’s my question: as recruiters/client executives, do we focus only on what our customer tells us they want or do we go outside their prerequisites and show them what we think they might want? And how many times have we personally thought we wanted something, only later to discover it’s not at all what we want?

My favorite House Hunters episodes are ones where the buyer goes with a home that will need a total renovation. Those are the ones where someone can dream big and incorporate changes they want, versus living with someone else’s dream. When it comes to jobs, shouldn’t it be the same way? There truly aren’t any perfect roles or companies or people out there, so if you’re a manager looking for a new employee, why not be a little more flexible when it comes to the job requirements and look for GREAT candidates vs. PERFECT candidates? If you’re a recruiter, talk with candidates and help them come up with realistic expectations based on the current market. And if you’re a job seeker, start looking outside of your criteria, and at something you can ultimately customize to your own liking. Or, better yet, before you jump ship, see what you can do to make your current job better.

Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it’s from running my own business and being able to call the shots, but I believe you can really get what you want out of life. Whether it is for business or personal reasons, if you’re realistic and can dream big, you just might achieve the goals you have for yourself. What can you do today to set things in motion?

American Lung Association Names Steve Conwell Volunteer of the Week

Steve Conwell is a salesman with a mission. Imagine the surprise on the faces of clients who, instead of the usual sales pitch, receive information on the importance of the mission of the American Lung Association. He still makes the ask on behalf of his company but he also makes an ask on behalf of the Lung Association. He first questions clients about how they are involved in the community and then tells them about his work with the association.

According to Peggy Nolan, the association’s Regional Vice President, Resource Development in Dallas/Fort Worth, “Steve is a networking giant. At every networking session he attends, everyone in the room knows of his involvement with the ALA, and he will try to get each of them connected to our mission.”

Steve’s personal mission is to make the Dallas Leadership Council as strong as possible. He works very hard to get the right people on the council in order to accomplish the association’s goals. Under his direction, the Dallas Leadership Council has increased not only in size but in stature. He has helped to identify the needs of the Council in terms of diversity and areas of expertise and leadership.

He is committed to furthering the mission through funding research, raising awareness, and producing quality events. He leads by example, being the first volunteer to sign up for everything. He works shoulder to shoulder with volunteers and staff, making calls and carrying out any assignment given.

Steve’s consistent commitment to the American Lung Association is personal. His sister-in-law struggles with asthma and both of his wife’s grandfathers lost their lives to lung disease. The Asthma Walk became the launching point for Steve’s participation. He wears many hats including Dallas Leadership Council Chair, Dallas Fight for Air Climb Committee, and he represents the association at Clean Air meetings around the area. Peggy Nolan says, “As a volunteer, Steve Conwell gets it and runs with it.”

http://www.lungusa.org/get-involved/volunteer/this-weeks-volunteer/

The 10 Most Unwanted List

Do you like your coworkers? Do they like you? Obviously no one will get along with everyone on the planet, but TRYING to get along with others really is a soft skill that is worth its weight in gold.

Getting along with the people you work with is critical, especially if you’re in tight quarters. If you’re the “loud talker” in the office, for example, and you’re in a cube environment, your peers will probably not only dislike you, but complain about you behind your back. There are tons of traits that people have that grate on other people’s nerves, even if that person doesn’t mean it in a bad way. Here are some qualities you DON’T want to have:

1. The Mooch. If you forget to bring something to work and ask to borrow from someone, they probably won’t mind. Just pay them back or return the favor. But do this every week? You’re a mooch. Be more responsible and bring your own stuff.

2. The Brown-Noser/Kiss-Up. Everyone recognizes when someone is brown-nosing (buttering up the boss to get what you want), and as far as I can tell, no one likes it, including the boss. Don’t you brown-nosers know that? If not, now you do.

3. The Idea Thief. When you hear someone else’s great idea, tell them congratulations, but don’t steal it as your own. Better yet, give them credit in a meeting or in front of their boss. If someone keeps stealing your ideas and “impressing” the boss with them, it’s a tricky situation to get the credit you deserve. I would suggest keeping your ideas to yourself until you can present them to the boss directly.

4. The Know-It-All. No matter what you say, they always have more “insight” to add and consistently project an air of superiority. There are multiple ways to address this, but unfortunately none that I can think of that are nice. If you have ideas, I’d welcome them.

5. The Procrastinator. These are folks who wait until the last possible minute to get their project done. Or worse, they consistently miss deadlines that impact you or your work, forcing you to pick up the slack. If you work on your own, maybe it doesn’t matter, but if you’re in a team environment, you are causing unnecessary stress on others. Don’t we have enough stress in the world already without adding to it?

6. The Intimidator. I wrote a blog about this, but bullies in the workplace are common and totally unacceptable all at the same time. Just like your parents told you not to take it growing up, don’t take it now either. (Middle School All Over Again)

7. The Gossiper. I know no man is an island and you have to interact with others, but do you really have to become their best friend and tell each other secrets? Anyone remember Bill Rancic from The Apprentice, season one? I believe part of the reason he won was he didn’t get involved with all the gossip and pettiness. And remember: If you’re hearing the “gossip news” about a coworker, you can be sure they’re talking behind your back, too.

8. The Slacker. You know who I’m talking about. The same people who sat back and let others do their work all through school and seem to think they can continue that pattern. Stop being lazy and “Get ‘er done!” And bosses, yes you – be consistent with your performance reviews and address this behavioral issue. 360 degree feedback reviews will catch slackers, too.

9. The Whiner. My thoughts on this? Don’t complain about something unless you have a solution. Period.

10. The Rule Breaker. I’m a rule follower, which is a bit ironic if you knew about my teenage years. However, I do believe there are times when there are other ways of doing things that can work better. The catch is why you’re breaking the rules. If it’s because you think you’re above the rules, you will earn enemies and earn them fast.

Basically if you remember the Golden Rule and treat others as you would like to be treated, you will be a shining star in your organization and not the person everyone dreads being around.

Cover Letters – A Waste of Time?

I’ve heard a lot of opinions from people about cover letters over the years, both in the recruiting business and from “regular Joe’s.” Some hiring authorities say it’s not needed, and some job seekers just don’t want to take the time to write one. But most people agree it’s worth it and it can set you apart from your competition. (Trust me, as good as you may feel you are, you always have competition.)

Cover letters can explain things in your resume and be more precise as to why you’d be a great hire. Just remember a few things so you achieve that goal, rather than hurt yourself in the process.

1. Try to address it to a specific person rather than “Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern.” Don’t have a name? Look online or call the company.

2. Do not have spelling or grammatical errors. Just like errors in your resume, the reviewer will view you as sloppy, lazy, unprofessional or just not very bright (code for dumb, either literally or dumb to miss that). You should NEVER have errors in either document since these are two of the most important descriptions of yourself you will ever have.

3. Explain away. Tell why you’re looking/leaving your current company, why you have gaps in your resume, why you’re open to lower-level positions, etc. Look at your resume objectively, then explain anything you would be concerned with if you were the hiring manager.

4. Express why you are interested in their job/company and why you are a fit. Use bullets to highlight accomplishments that would apply to this job as well.

5. Don’t repeat your resume. They are in a hiring position presumably because they are smart, so assume they can read and put two-and-two together.

6. Keep it to one page.

7. Reiterate why you’re a great fit and then ask for an interview. Tell them times you are available, and be sure to include your contact info.

8. Wrap it up by telling them you’ll follow up with them. Name a specific day, and stick to it.

Most of this is pretty obvious, but when it comes to whether or not to even write a cover letter, apparently it’s not so obvious. But, hopefully you now see the importance and advantage you will have if you do.

As an Entrepreneur, When You Hear No, Do it Anyway

“You can’t do that.”



I hate that statement. Just plain drives me nuts as a business owner. Now I know you’re thinking, “Well, there really are some things you can’t do. I mean, you can’t walk through walls or drink a gallon of motor oil, right?” So let me explain.

As your business starts to grow, you will come up with a new way of doing things -- something truly original. Innovation and creative spirit flows from your entrepreneurial pores. And when that happens, you are going to hear the “nay-sayers” tell you it can’t be done, it’s never worked before, all those businesses fail, or it’s a dumb idea. Maybe all of the above.

When you put on your “gut meter” and entrepreneurial “hat,” here is what is actually being said:

• This is different from how we’ve done it before.
• This is going to take a lot of work.
• I’m jealous because I didn’t think of that.
• (and my favorite…) That’s not how things are done.

There’s a reason why you’ve decided to take a risk with your business. It’s the same reason you love your customers and think about ways to make their lives better. It’s what keeps you up at night when others are sawing logs.

So…with that said, here are some gems that could go virile. Just don’t say no!

1. Hologram Mobile Apps – These are probably on their way with 3-D TV. Wouldn’t it be cool to “press” three dimensional buttons and other figures? Pretty cool!

2. Sushigo (think sushi “to go”) – It would be great to go through a drive thru and get sushi. Sounds like a terrific franchise to me.

3. Veggie Gum – I’m talking V8 for your teeth. If you could figure out a way to make them tasty and give people a serving of veggies, you have a winner. No Brussel sprout gum, please.

4. Sweat-Free T-Shirts – Sweat rings are a beating. Why can’t we have insulated fabric in the arm pits that prevents a sweat ring from forming? There’s nothing worse than taking off your suit coat and “letting them see you sweat.”

5. Watch Face Skins – You’re wearing your blue power suit today, and your brown tweed on casual day. Why not have a digital skin for your watch that matches what you are wearing? This would have to be high-quality to work, and it could be a popular item.

6. Virtual Trainers – With cameras abounding and on-demand TV, why can’t we have personal trainers who take us through work out programs like yoga, lifting weights, calisthenics, etc. all via our televisions or internet? They could jump in and encourage us, help with form, chat and more, all from the comfort of our homes. This could allow personal trainers to have a global business without actually having to be there. And you’d still be getting a personal connection.

Remember – it is the entrepreneurial spirit and tenacity that has forged the greatest companies and the newest ideas. Keep the faith, and let me know what great ideas you have. I’d love to hear from you!

Interviewing the Interviewer

There are many things people should do for interviews:

· Gather information about the company/interviewer beforehand
· Be on time
· Dress appropriately
· Hygiene, hygiene, hygiene (obvious and somehow overlooked)
· Come prepared with a few extra copies of your resume
· Prepare a list of questions to ask during the interview

For some reason, this last one seems to stump some folks. They either don’t go prepared with questions or can’t think of any on the spot. The best way to combat the latter is to do the former. Sure, you’ll most likely think of several questions during the interview you can ask (hint: bring a notepad/portfolio), but the Boy Scouts have it right with their motto: Be Prepared.
It is 100% all right to pull out your notepad at the end when they ask if you have any questions. If you take notes about their responses, it just shows you are serious about the position. In fact, I’ve heard lots of managers state they typically pass on candidates who don’t ask any questions at the end. So, with that in mind, below are some questions (in no particular order) you can jot down prior to your interview so you don’t blank out while there.

· Why is this position open?
· Of the other candidates you’ve interviewed, what’s been missing?
· What does a typical day look like for the person in this role?
· What are the greatest challenges in this role?
· What are the performance expectations for this position?
· How many others are on the team?
· What is the training like for this role?
· What are the company’s short-term and long-term plans/goals?
· What is the company culture?
· Who would I report to?
· What is their background?
· What is your background?
· Why do you like working here?
· What is the job progression/career path for this position?
· When do you need someone to start?
· How does my background and experience fit what you’re looking for?
· What is the next step in this interview process?

There are many more you can ask that will be specific to the role you’re applying for, and you can have those ready prior to the interview as well. If not, you can try to remember as you go along and ask them before you leave, or it’s perfectly acceptable to ask additional questions when you send them an email thanking them for their time (hint, hint).

Just remember to go armed with questions and you may just be one step ahead of your competition. Good luck!