Work Experience

More employers are conducting long-distance interviews via webcam. Do you know the basics to ensure the best impression?

Employers are finding interviews, done with video-chat software, save money and time. Job seekers, too, see the benefits of this type of interview since they won’t need to pay for gas or air fare .

But even with the convenience of doing an interview right in your own home, you must prepare for things that could go wrong. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure your webcam interview goes well.

Preparations

1.) Be sure to remove all animals from the room. A barking dog, singing bird, or a cat that jumps up between you and the computer will be unnecessary distractions.

2.) Clean up the room, remember, they will be able to see whatever is behind you.

3.) Make sure the lighting is adequate. If you are sitting in a darkened room, they won’t be able to see you, and if you have a bright light directly behind you, that will also darken your face.

4.) Center yourself on the screen, and be sure they see from your shoulders on up. Don’t lean into the screen, sit back a reasonable distance.

5.) Be sure you will have privacy. Tell others in the house not to disturb you and close the door to the room, turn off the phone and shut any windows.

6.) Dress the part, remember this is an interview so you should be dressed for success.

7.) Practice before the interview with someone, get their feedback about lighting, centering and background. Try a couple of different voice levels. If you cannot be heard well, you must adjust for that.

8.) Have all you will need right at your finger tips: pens, paper, documentation. Don’t stand up to reach across to the desk and rummage through a drawer. You want to cut distractions.

9.) Be sure to smile! Remember, they will be forming opinions about you from the moment the webcam turns on.

10.) Plan ahead. Before the webcam interview, let them know if something goes wrong, you have another way to continue communication.

Final Thoughts

As with any type of interview, remember to introduce yourself, possibly break the ice with a comment or two. Since you are in your own home, don’t become too comfortable and fall into habits such as: putting your feet up, leaning back on the chair on two legs, drinking a beverage or smoking. Conduct yourself as if you are sitting right in front of your interviewers, in their office.

©2009

We’ve all seen it in the workplace, and it’s not pretty. Co-workers “green with envy” can create a corrosive environment for all when they unleash their unhappiness.

But, often envy is denied by most, and in order to squelch this green-eyed monster, we must take a look at it face-to-face. According to Judith Sills, PhD., “Most often, it (envy) stalks the office as a sense of unfairness.” Sills believes that envy wears many disguises in the office, “It can be an invisible destructive force.”

Envy derives from a mix of emotional insecurity, competitiveness, and dissatisfaction with a situation. Couple that with Sills’ four factors that favor envy flourishing in an office setting: a highly competitive workplace culture, an out of touch boss, favoritism in family of origin, and exceptional achievement–which seems to anger everyone that is not achieving–and you have a situation ripe for envy.

The Four Factors

Looking at the first of the four factors, a highly competitive workplace culture, you can see where this type of environment is a breeding ground for envy. Some employers have set up employees to be in this situation, while in other situations, employees themselves have become the instigators. No matter what the scenario, it’s a losing situation, becoming an opportunity for nasty interactions between co-workers.

The next factor is the out of touch boss. This is a person who plays favorites, has a clique, eats up what brown-nosing employees throw his/her way and creates a very uncomfortable environment. This sets employees up (who are not in the bosses circle) for demoralization and work standards that are not equally applied.

The “office family”, not unlike our own family of origin, can bring up painful memories from childhood. If you were not the favored child in your household, you may find that resentment carried into the workplace. Here is where it’s important to approach office situations with the clearest of intentions, not allowing perceptions–instead of facts–cloud your vision. If favoritism is present in the office, old feelings from childhood will visit you once again. Some will snipe behind the backs of those benefiting from the favoritism, while others will try to “win favoritism” by working harder, fawning over the boss or taking on a high profile project. Which leads me to the last of the four factors, exceptional achievement.

Unfortunately, many workers envy those among them who are high achievers. I’ve seen a well-deserving teacher awarded “Teacher of the Year”, only to be shot down by colleagues with horrible remarks questioning her abilities. These people, who envy another persons hard work and achievement, usually feel unhappy and insecure within themselves. Instead of being happy for their co-worker, they feel as if the one succeeding is a traitor, “showing us up”.

Those Who Are Envied

Workers who are envied for their accomplishments have a difficult road to travel. They can be ignored, shunned, and even belittled by their envious colleagues, perhaps even forced out of their position by hostility. Downplaying any type of accolade somehow can take away from what one has accomplished, while gloating over it will bring even more suffering. This type of work environment does not foster people reaching to do their best, but rather people looking over their shoulders, concerned with retaliation for succeeding.

While those envied for being within the bosses fold of special ones seem to care less what others may think, relishing their position, sooner or later they may find themselves without that protection.

How to Spot Envy

In order to fully look at envy, you first need to see if it is in you. Dr. Sills gives six ways to flush out your own green-eyed monster:

1) Do you avoid cooperation because you don’t want others to benefit?

2) Is there something you just don’t like about another co-worker, but can’t put it into words?

3) Are you critical of traits in a colleague that did not formerly bother you?

4) Are you saying horrible things about a co-worker who has recently experienced success?

5) Do you point out someone’s success is due to their privileges?

6) Do you feel picked on, burdened, think others always get the breaks?

If you’ve answered yes to any one of these questions, now you have the evidence that you need to begin to change. Getting rid of envy within yourself will free you up to be authentic in the workplace, whereby teaching others a more productive way of being. Now you can compliment the successful colleague, lend support to another and not tear down someone else.

Changing the Workplace

Beginning with your own attitudes, start to bring more camaraderie to your workplace. When a colleague succeeds, be the first to sincerely congratulate them. If someone makes a snide remark about another, don’t counter it with an affirmative reply. Rather, take this opportunity to show you aren’t as insecure as the one making the uncalled for comment.

Something to Ponder

Just imagine being in a workplace where your accomplishments are celebrated–by all. Where there are no backstabbers, nay sayers, or green-eyed monsters to hold you, or others, back from achieving your dreams. Where childhood hurts are left in the past, where they belong, and we see with clear vision. And where all bosses refrain from favoritism and begin to foster working environments that are productive and pleasant for all employees. It’s possible, it just takes the effort.

©2009

Has Your Mind Turned to Jell-O?

Researchers at the University of Michigan found that taking a 45 minute walk in a park can enhance your cognitive performance. But, walking around downtown doesn’t do the same thing. Cities create an overload and require more concentration, while being in nature provides a more refreshing mental state.

Whether you are seeking employment, or stuck behind your desk at work, be sure to take time to get out and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. Your brain will thank you for it!

The word failure conjures up uncomfortable feelings in all of us. One of the reasons for these feelings is how we actually look at failure. Some psychologists and job hunt guru’s feel that it’s the setbacks, adversity and even trauma which motivates us to be successful.

Great Failure Stories

J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter author) went through a broken marriage, parental disapproval, poverty, which all motivated her to write, her first dream, since she had nothing else to lose.  She stated, “Failure stripped away everything inessential…it taught me things about myself I could have learned no other way.”

Steve Jobs (Apple Computer founder) had three set-backs: he dropped out of college, was fired from the company he founded and was diagnosed with cancer. He said, “I have failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeeded.”

Their personal failures were opportunities that aimed them towards their new careers.

Failure is Important

Several years ago, a young woman spoke to me about her work philosophy, which disturbed me. She stated that, “I never want to fail, I haven’t yet and I don’t intend to…ever”. My comment to her was that without failure, she will not learn from mistakes, and everyone makes mistakes. Basically, her statement told me she felt she didn’t make any mistakes, which is unrealistic. The day she finally realized she was not perfect, I’m sure was a shocking reality for her to process. Failure provides us with necessary information so we don’t wind up with unrealistic expectations.

We must understand that failure is how our brain actually learns. In Psychology Today, (Weathering the Storm 2009), “The brain, you might say, feeds on failure. We are acutely sensitive to negative feedback, and this ‘negative bias’ drives learning, at least from teenagehood on up.” And Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist from the University of Virginia feels that, “An occasional failure in life is extremely important information. When you look at stories of great leaders they almost all had major setbacks.”

We Survive

We learn we can survive our shortcomings, life would be boring if everyday didn’t challenge us to a certain extent. Having said that, we need to ensure when life throws us too much, we have solid ground to withstand the onslaught.

Richard Robbins, director of the Personality, Self and Emotion Laboratory at the University of California Davis thinks that shame, especially when we have public failure, can wreck havoc on us. Shame attributes the failure to something you are, which is harder to face, as opposed to guilt, which addresses failure as something you did.

Often, when job loss takes place, people will either feel guilty or shameful. The person who feels guilt, may think it’s their fault they were laid off or can’t find employment quickly. On the other hand, the person who feels shame for being laid off associates this with who they are–a failure–across the board.

Four Dimensions to Life

Stephen Berglas, a California psychologist and personal coach states we need “multidimensional” lives. This helps to ensure if we have failure in one aspect of our lives, it won’t seem as daunting, we have the others to fall back on.

There are four basic dimensions to our lives, says Robert Emmons, psychologist at the University of California at Davis: achievement, community, spirituality and legacy. We lose achievement when we lose our job, therefore, the remaining three dimensions get stronger. Since Americans hold achievement in such high regard, which is directly tied to financial success, losing a job can be devastating if the other three dimensions are not balanced. Without community, for example, a person has no outside support system, and without spirituality, a person does not tap into their inner strength, that can set them on a higher purposed path.

Fail Better

When we fail, it gives us another chance to try again. We learn what not to do, pick ourselves up, and move forward. By monitoring our emotions, not ruminating (which can create a spiral), and understanding what we are capable of doing in our world, all provides a cushion when we fall.

As Bruce Grierson, (author of U-Turn: What If You Woke Up One Morning and Realized You Were Living the Wrong Life?) states, “To begin again from scratch is itself part of the American script.”  I agree.

©2009

Where’s Your Ambition?

First, have a list of goals. Write down the advantages and disadvantages of those goals.

Second, don’t take your setbacks personally. When you allow your generalizations to get  you down, you are self-defeating.

Third, learn from your setbacks. See what caused things to go wrong, approach your investigation with an unbiased eye.

Fourth, be honest with yourself. Did you bite off more than you could chew? Perhaps you weren’t realistic about what you were capable of doing. Or you didn’t give yourself enough credit for your abilities.

Have you been given an increase in responsibility, but no compensation for it?

Many employers are forgoing hiring more employees until the economy picks up. Ultimately, those still employed will be asked to take on more responsibility, with no extra compensation.

It’s wise to strike a deal with your employer to receive a better job title to reward you for your extra work. This costs the employer nothing, but allows you to receive a title that will look better on your resume. Compensation doesn’t always have to be monetary.

Contract, freelance or independent work has been on the rise since before the recession of 2007. The economic downturn nudged it further along. Companies prefer a “non-permanent” workforce they may utilize when needed.

According to Money Magazine (July 2009), “Today about 30% of the U.S. job market–roughly 42 million workers–is made up of independent contractors, part-time or temporary staffers, and the self-employed.” This number is projected to grow to nearly half the workforce within the next decade. The trend expands beyond the usual freelance professions of writers, consultants, etc.

Coming to a Workplace Near You

Many experts have warned American workers of this impending change. Adam Sorensen, an expert at WorldatWork states, “We’re in the early stages of what will be a really different era in the workplace, and a growing segment of workers will need to structure their career around this model.”  Basically, don’t wait to be out of work before you make plans. Now is the time to research how you might transfer your skill-sets into a lucrative career being a free agent. If you are currently working, this means explore ideas, no need to quit your job until you’ve put a solid plan in place. If you are one of the millions not employed, here’s your chance to get ahead of the crowd–begin now–start planning how you may become a freelancer.

How to Begin

If you are employed, be sure to check with your employer to see if outside projects aren’t a direct conflict with your current contract. Consulting on the side, using what knowledge you have to branch out–get a taste of how to begin the process–will give you confidence. When the time is right, you will have this experience under your belt and feel confident to venture out on your own.

Those who are unemployed may begin by seeing where employers are farming out work. Visit the following websites to explore more options at: Elance.com (link at right), oDesk.com, Sologig.com and Guru.com, where they match freelancers with firms. So far, I’ve heard that Elance.com is the only reliable site for freelancers.

Starting your own business is another option, though much more complicated. Pamela Slim, author of “Escape from Cubicle Nation”, suggests entrepreneurs start small.  Even though presently it may be difficult to get a small business loan through a bank, using a spare room in your home, for now, could be the best way to go.

Network, Network, Network

I’ll bet you thought networking was just for job seekers, but actually it’s also for those who will be making the transition to freelancing. By having lunch or coffee with contacts, attending workshops, and conferences, letting people know about work, you keep your networking alive.

Don’t forget the basics of good networking:

• Networking is a two way street.
• Be polite, not pushy.
• Build relationships, seek advice, make good connections.
• Get permission to use a contact’s name to approach another contact.
• Ask for help, but be aware of the other persons time and limits.
• Have consideration for your contacts space, don’t drop in unannounced.
• Listen carefully, someone may offer you excellent advice.
• Don’t be desperate.
• Do your own research. The more you find out about your target, the less you have to ask.
• Understand your purpose in networking. Before you make contact, do your research, know what questions to ask and focus on targets appropriate to your purpose.

The Future is Now

Don’t wait until the end of the decade to begin the inevitable. Start researching how you may become part of the wave of the projected 50% of freelance workers by the year 2020…or sooner.

©2009

During this recession more men than women were laid off. 49.9% of the workforce is now comprised of women…the highest percentage in history. What accounts for the higher price men have paid?

The Numbers Game

Perhaps it’s that women make up approximately 80% of health care workers, one industry that is holding its own. 20,000 health care jobs were gained in July 2009, the majority filled by females. Males, on the other hand, dominate construction and manufacturing industries, which saw large numbers–76,000 construction and 52,000 manufacturing–of job loss.

We have also seen women benefit from stimulus monies put into education, along with state and local governments, where, according to Christopher Caldwell (The Pink Recovery, August 2009, Time Magazine)”… 3 in 5 employees are women…”

But we’ve also heard employers are looking at the dollar sign–money talks as high paid employees walk–in this bottomless pit of a recession. Historically, women make less than men, close to 75 cents on the dollar, for the same work. It’s basic math. It could also be called an interesting turn of events for women. No longer do we see male domination of the workforce, possibly because they commanded a higher wage for the same work women performed.

She Brings Home the Bacon

Women are now the breadwinners in many middle-class families, leaving dads with more domestic chores while unemployed. Plus, many women are foregoing motherhood, in light of their growing responsibilities, and added financial burdens. The roles are changing at home, but will they continue to change on the job? Will we see an escalation in women breaking through glass ceilings? And can this shift in our workforce finally change the unfair discrepancy in wages between females and males? Only time will tell.

Feminine Shift

If the effects of the recession lasts as long as economists predict, (6 years), we could see a shift Gloria Steinem would cheer. Let’s hope whatever gains women do make in this interesting time of change, they fiercely retain. For when the economy begins it’s uptick, we will see men begin to flood into the workforce again. If women have not laid claim to fair wages, seats in the board rooms, and respect for their integrity and contributions before the effects of the recession ends, they may let a unique opportunity pass them by.

©2009

Many talented people never reach their full potential. Talent gives an advantage that lasts a short time. In order to grow to your full potential, there are necessary steps to take.

Dr. John C. Maxwell, speaker, author and founder of several leadership organizations who communicates his principles to Fortune 500 companies, international marketing organizations and professional sports groups, suggests: “Too many talented people who start with an advantage over others lose that advantage because they rest on their talent instead of raising it.” Basically, talent alone doesn’t keep a person at the top, we’ve seen this countless times in the workplace.

Strength Zone

Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton state in their book, “Now, Discover Your Strengths“,  every person is capable of doing something better than thousands of others. This is the “strength zone” and the authors encourage readers to find that zone and make the most of it. Even if you aren’t aware of your abilities, don’t know how you feel about them, or if you’ve achieved success or not–you have talent–and you can develop it. Finding your strength zone is essential in your job search because what you do well, you usually enjoy. Shouldn’t your work give you pleasure and be fulfilling?

Develop Talents

Dr. Maxwell begs the question, “Why do most people spend the majority of their time focused on strengthening their weaknesses? One thing I teach people at my conferences is to stop working on their weaknesses and start working on their strengths.” He advocates a person realize and develop talents.

Developing talents into lasting results comes from the right choices. William Jennings Bryan, Orator, attorney and political leader said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice: it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”

Maximize Talents

Dr. Maxwell lists thirteen key ideas behind helping people maximize their talents:

1.) Belief lifts your talent.

2.) Passion energizes your talent.

3.) Initiative activates your talent.

4.) Focus directs your talent.

5.) Preparation positions your talent.

6.) Practice sharpens your talent.

7.) Perseverance sustains your talent.

8.) Courage tests your talent.

9.) Teachability expands your talent.

10.) Character protects your talent.

11.) Relationships influence your talent.

12.) Responsibility strengthens your talent.

13.) Teamwork multiplies your talent.

Important Choices

Dr. Maxwell’s statement echos my own beliefs when he says, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you.”

Who you become is going to be one of the most important choices you make in life. Choose well. Choose wisely. Enjoy the journey!

©2009

Our self-esteem suffers with job loss because we place so much worth on jobs. It’s completely natural to feel discouraged, anxious and even depressed during unemployment.

At times, you may feel as if you’ve tossed your resume in a bottle and set it afloat…only to be lost in a sea of other resumes.

But, there are some things you can do to cope better:

1.) Ask what you gain from this transition. Instead of thinking negatively, look for positives.

2.) Keep your hope up and set goals to achieve, so you can see results, knowing you’ve accomplished something.

3.) Take good care of yourself for a few reasons: so you will not spend money on doctors visits, to keep your appearance up for interviews, and bolster your mood. Daily exercise and eating right will help you maintain your health, both mental and physical.

4.) Take breaks from your job search on the weekend. Do fun and creative things that make you laugh, smile and feel good. Rent your favorite movie, head for the local fishing hole, go for a walk with the dog.

5.) Don’t withhold your current situation from friends, relatives and neighbors. The more people know you are out of work, the more will be in your network to help you.

6.) Volunteer. I’ve said this throughout my blogs for a reason–it works! When you volunteer it does you a lot of good to use skills and connect with others who need your help. Besides that, you may find a job opening available at a nonprofit while you are volunteering.

7.) Give yourself credit for what you have accomplished, no matter how small.

8.) Understand what is in your control, and what is not. Let go of what is not in your control.

9.) Make information gathering a priority. Be sure to read the best resources (see this blogs “Resources”), put a professional profile on LinkedIn, learn how to properly network, go to job fairs, and help others with their job search too.

10.) Talk to others regarding the feelings you have about your job loss. It’s important to find a caring person with an ability to listen and give positive feedback. A close friend, counselor, clergy or family member you can confide in on a regular basis. This will help you move on from your job loss.
©2009