Celebrations!
Tell me your story! Let’s inspire others who are still on the hunt for something new!
Warm shout out to the courageous KL, who not only landed the job she wanted this month, but also negotiated for better pay and an early review. When the initial job offer came in, it was under market value and under her value. Rather than just accept it as it was, she did the research to validate her value, made a plan and asked for more. And she got it!
Attention job seekers: Yes, you can ask for what you want, even in a down economy. But beware: you just might get it.
Upcoming Events: Come Change Your Stripes™!
Do you know about a group or association that needs a speaker? Let me know!
Christmas
Special:
Give the gift that will keep on giving: a job hunt coaching system that will not only get you the job you want today, but will help you get what you want tomorrow and beyond.
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Stripe Changer News!
November 2009 | Third Edition
"We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark." - Whoopi Goldberg
A Hearty Thank
In this season built for giving thanks, I’d like to celebrate the simple acts of generosity I see happening every day. From a simple “how can I help you?” to the “I’ll make a personal introduction for you” that got someone a job! Never underestimate the difference you can make in someone’s life. Your smile might be all he needs to pull out of a very dark place. Your “you can do it!” might be the shot of courage she needs to chase - and land - that job. Despite greater challenges than most of us have faced in a lifetime, generosity is taking over our communities. For that I am thankful.
Holiday Connections are Silver & Gold – so get out and make them.
The holidays are the very best time of year for networking. Opportunities abound, and people are very much in a giving, gracious spirit. While job offers typically slow down during December, employers are still looking. And who do you think they are going to call in for an interview on January 1? Some stranger whose resume landed on their desk, or someone they met at an ugly sweater party … who knows a friend of theirs? You know the answer. Be the one who gets the call. Get out and go to those parties you don’t really want to go to. I understand that there are days you do not want to go out at all. And the fear of being asked “So, what do you do?” can be crippling. So make a plan to answer it. Grab a friend. And go. If you want a job, you’ll have to go out and get it. There is no nicer time to do it than now.
Ask Cat:
Send me your questions!
“I know I need to go out and see more people (network). Trouble is, I am really uncomfortable telling people I am unemployed, or answering that question ‘so what do you do?’ What can I say? How do I get from a scary ‘Hello’ to a connection that matters?” - Jennifer
Dear Jennifer: you’ve already conquered the biggest part of the solution … admitting that it’s a challenge for you. You are not alone, and there is no shame in being unemployed … especially in this market. But what I say doesn’t matter. It’s what you say to yourself that does. The best way to get over this fear is to practice handling it. Try this:
- Find your passion. Rather than focusing on what you do not have right now (a job), focus on the gifts you have to offer. What do you have to bring to the world? The simple act of identifying and focusing on what you do have to offer will do a lot to boost your confidence and avoid your feeling small.
- Get real with yourself about why this question makes you squirm. Then pretend someone you care about came to you with this problem. What would you say to them? How would you counsel them? Chances are good that is exactly the advice you are longing for. So give it to yourself. Keep asking yourself questions until you can accept that you have nothing to hide.
- Come up with an answer you feel good about. And practice saying it. Avoid saying “I’m unemployed” as your first answer. It is just difficult to go anywhere from there. Instead, try sharing what you’re great at, or the job you used to have. Because you will have it again. If you are looking for work in the same career field, you can say with confidence “I am an Operations Director” or “I help people tell their stories (writer, journalist) or something more fun “I put presents under your tree” (this would work for anyone who is involved in getting consumer products out the door. From product development to marketing or sales). You could skip answering it with a career answer, and go for a hobby “What do I do? For fun in the winter, I do cross-country skiing and cooking.”
- Of course you will – and should – get to the fact that you are looking for work at some stage. Practice talking about this until you feel good about it. Something like this: “I am looking for work in the sales arena. I love getting medical devices into the hands of the people who need them. I’ve sold hearing devices, among many other products. I’d love to connect with anyone you know in the medical device industry.”
My primary point is this: you will get asked this question. You have a right to be scared of it. But if you want a job, you have to get comfortable answering it. In fact, if you are doing what you need to do to get a job, you are getting asked it every day. It can be very tough to answer if you are not prepared for it. So get prepared. It is critical to your success to be able to move through these questions. These initial conversations give way to the conversations you need to have to find the job you want (I know a guy who met his new boss at the buffet table. He got the job because right there, in the midst of a party, he was able to say what he does for a living – with passion.) And then remember: you are not alone! And if you still can’t breathe, take a friend. But go. |
