I just read a really interesting article in the Los Angeles Times. A recent study was conducted that showed people warm up to you faster if you have warm hands. Likewise, you are more open and friendly with people when your hands are warm. So should you hold a cup of coffee in your hands for a few seconds before a client meeting or job interview, as the article suggests? It can't hurt! Here's a link to the article, written by Denise Gellene:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-sci-hot24-2008oct24,0,2072016.story
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
So happy to have made your acquaintance...
The world is small. Really, really small. If you have the time and inclination, you can connect with people a world away without ever having to leave your home office. This happened to me today and I give the time and inclination credit all to my new friend, Sai Browne. (Or Saideh, as her mom would prefer...) Long story short, Sai is a an accomplished author. In gathering resources for her next book (focusing on Gen Xers who are redefining their lives) she put out a query on HARO http://www.helpareporter.com/, seeking Gen X contributors. I think I'd be an interesting case study for a number of books, so I sent her out an email. A few hours later, I got a phone call.
Let me back up. Before I sent an email to her, I checked out her blog at http://www.liferemixedradio.com/ and found it funny, real, topical and thought-provoking. As a matter of fact, I felt like after reading a few blog posts, I really knew her well. So in a matter of just a few minutes of her call, we were chatting like good friends. It didn't hurt that she too, is a Project Runway/Tim Gunn fan! (How awesome would it be to have Tim standing over me and my stack of unfinished resumes, saying "Make it work, Lauren!"
After our conversation, I thought for a moment how amazing this interaction was, and how unlikely something like this would have been years ago. I hope you, dear readers, have something just as cool happen to you this week.
Let me back up. Before I sent an email to her, I checked out her blog at http://www.liferemixedradio.com/ and found it funny, real, topical and thought-provoking. As a matter of fact, I felt like after reading a few blog posts, I really knew her well. So in a matter of just a few minutes of her call, we were chatting like good friends. It didn't hurt that she too, is a Project Runway/Tim Gunn fan! (How awesome would it be to have Tim standing over me and my stack of unfinished resumes, saying "Make it work, Lauren!"
After our conversation, I thought for a moment how amazing this interaction was, and how unlikely something like this would have been years ago. I hope you, dear readers, have something just as cool happen to you this week.
Friday, August 22, 2008
New York Times article - The New Workplace Perk...
I was recently interviewed for an article in the New York Times about how gas prices are negatively affecting employees. Read the article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/fashion/07Work.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=resumayday&st=cse&scp=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/fashion/07Work.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=resumayday&st=cse&scp=1
A caveat to using LinkedIn as a job-search tool
Talk to me about your job search for more than 5 minutes, and you'll know that I'm a big fan of LinkedIn. Essentially, your L.I. profile can become your on-line resume, which is great! At the same time, doesn't that mean that your profile should follow the same guidelines as your resume?
As a resume writer, I strongly discourage job seekers to include their picture on the resume. That just makes sense, right? But what about your L.I. profile? Should that also exclude your picture? I tend to think it does but with all of the technology offerings that are out there today, it's going to be difficult to remain as anonymous as a traditional resume allows. (Don't even get me started on the ...$!%#@... video resume!)
My recommendation is that job seekers omit pictures from their profiles but instead, make sure the profile is as strong as possible - lots of accomplishments and as many endorsements as possible. My friend and LinkedIn coach, April Williams, recommends that anyone concerned about posting their picture to a worldwide audience chooses a group photo instead. I love this idea!
In a perfect world, we wouldn't have to worry about this at all, but that's an entirely different topic for a different day!
As a resume writer, I strongly discourage job seekers to include their picture on the resume. That just makes sense, right? But what about your L.I. profile? Should that also exclude your picture? I tend to think it does but with all of the technology offerings that are out there today, it's going to be difficult to remain as anonymous as a traditional resume allows. (Don't even get me started on the ...$!%#@... video resume!)
My recommendation is that job seekers omit pictures from their profiles but instead, make sure the profile is as strong as possible - lots of accomplishments and as many endorsements as possible. My friend and LinkedIn coach, April Williams, recommends that anyone concerned about posting their picture to a worldwide audience chooses a group photo instead. I love this idea!
In a perfect world, we wouldn't have to worry about this at all, but that's an entirely different topic for a different day!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Yahoo! HotJobs Article
I was recently interviewed for a HotJobs article regarding The Biggest Resume Mistake. The final article, written by Caroline Potter, is here: http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_biggest_resume_mistake_you_can_make-436. For anyone who has worked with us, you know that we really do emphasize a person's accomplishments and contributions, rather than tasks and functions. It's crucial, considering that we are in the midst of the toughest job market that our country has seen in 20+ years.
The New York Times called and told me they were reprinting a portion of this article in this Thursday's edition.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this article - share your comments here!
The New York Times called and told me they were reprinting a portion of this article in this Thursday's edition.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this article - share your comments here!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Excellent Resource For Our Clients - And Other Job Seekers
I want to introduce you to someone you should know. John Navin is a Financial and Investment Planner who owns his own firm, Financial Designs, Inc. I feel that it's important to stress that John is the owner of his own firm, so that it's realized up front that he doesn't come with a pre-planned agenda regarding specific financial tools or products.
Here's why I like John and am comfortable referring him to you:
1) He's a very honest, trustworthy, shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy.
2) He's extremely knowledgeable about all of his products, but won't bore you with things that aren't important to you and your financial plan.
3) He has a strong belief in doing what's right and having a positive impact on his community.
4) He's very likeable and knows how to have a good time. He throws parties and BBQs for his clients every year!
Why do want to call him?
1) 401k rollovers - a must, if you are changing employers.
2) Income Analyzer - measures current income vs. future goals.
3) Other financial tools based on your specific needs (too many to mention here!)
How do you get in touch with John?
Call him at 866-369-9029, email him at john@johnnavin.com or visit his site at www.johnnavin.com.
Here's why I like John and am comfortable referring him to you:
1) He's a very honest, trustworthy, shoot-from-the-hip kind of guy.
2) He's extremely knowledgeable about all of his products, but won't bore you with things that aren't important to you and your financial plan.
3) He has a strong belief in doing what's right and having a positive impact on his community.
4) He's very likeable and knows how to have a good time. He throws parties and BBQs for his clients every year!
Why do want to call him?
1) 401k rollovers - a must, if you are changing employers.
2) Income Analyzer - measures current income vs. future goals.
3) Other financial tools based on your specific needs (too many to mention here!)
How do you get in touch with John?
Call him at 866-369-9029, email him at john@johnnavin.com or visit his site at www.johnnavin.com.
Monday, July 7, 2008
An example of treating a customer poorly...
After the long holiday weekend, I had an unusually large amount of emails to read. I clicked on one from a person that works for the bank that holds all of my personal and business accounts. Here's the message:
"REMOVE MY EMAIL OFF YOUR LIST AND STOP EMAILING ME, IMMEDIATELY."
Vito Salatino, Jr.
I knew that I hadn't sent Vito any emails but just to be sure, I checked my 'sent' folder. Nothing to Vito. We met some time ago at a networking event at a time that my business account rep was leaving for a different position in the company, which was upsetting to me because I was less than thrilled with his replacement. Vito told me that if I needed any help with my account, I could call him. Up until this morning, I would have told you that Vito was a nice guy.
After verifying that I hadn't sent him any emails, I called him. I introduced myself and asked about his email. He angrily told me that he received a few emails asking that he update his information through my CardScan account but that he wouldn't, because he didn't know who I was. (CardScan sends these out periodically - I have nothing to do with it.) I reminded him that we had met, that I was a current customer and that he should have looked up my information in his account system, before sending off this type of correspondence. He agreed, but the damage was done.
Banking is a competitive industry and I know for a fact that this bank is trying to 'chase' every customer they can. How difficult would it have been to update his information, when asked to do so by a loyal customer? I do this plenty for others who also use a business cards scanner and it takes no more than 10 seconds to stay in touch with customers, vendors or just great connections. Apparently, Vito has a different take on it.
That's how my week started, how about you?
"REMOVE MY EMAIL OFF YOUR LIST AND STOP EMAILING ME, IMMEDIATELY."
Vito Salatino, Jr.
I knew that I hadn't sent Vito any emails but just to be sure, I checked my 'sent' folder. Nothing to Vito. We met some time ago at a networking event at a time that my business account rep was leaving for a different position in the company, which was upsetting to me because I was less than thrilled with his replacement. Vito told me that if I needed any help with my account, I could call him. Up until this morning, I would have told you that Vito was a nice guy.
After verifying that I hadn't sent him any emails, I called him. I introduced myself and asked about his email. He angrily told me that he received a few emails asking that he update his information through my CardScan account but that he wouldn't, because he didn't know who I was. (CardScan sends these out periodically - I have nothing to do with it.) I reminded him that we had met, that I was a current customer and that he should have looked up my information in his account system, before sending off this type of correspondence. He agreed, but the damage was done.
Banking is a competitive industry and I know for a fact that this bank is trying to 'chase' every customer they can. How difficult would it have been to update his information, when asked to do so by a loyal customer? I do this plenty for others who also use a business cards scanner and it takes no more than 10 seconds to stay in touch with customers, vendors or just great connections. Apparently, Vito has a different take on it.
That's how my week started, how about you?
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