Past Five

Leaders and Management

I interview a dozen or so people every week and meet with probably two dozen more contacts, many who tell me the problems with the leadership of the company they are with or recently have been with. Leadership doesn't realize the clients want this.  Leadership doesn't understand the employees know better what the customer wants.  Leadership is trying the wrong strategy. Yada. Yada. Yada.

I am not saying these people are wrong. I don't even know the leadership of most of these companies. What I do know is how often people who are not that successful in their own careers judge those who are. Many leaders of business units or companies are lacking in areas...there is no doubt about it. However, the majority are strong in one, if not many, other areas which have allowed them to achieve a certain level of success. To have an employee who is unhappy and leaving after less than a year or two speak about how they know better than their manager is really part of the problem with the American worker.

There is a lack of respect for accomplishment. As in society, where American's don't value their elders, unlike many other cultures, there is a lack of respect for the knowledge and accomplishments of management and leaders in the business world. People are quick to throw stones yet long to venture out and lead a group of people and risk their employment and financial security to do so.

I was reading a blog posting on Cheezehead, where he posts a letter from an ex-employee of CareerBuilder. By posting it, and not stating otherwise, it read as though he supported the writer’s feelings. That CareerBuilder is more of a sales company than actually caring about their customers. Yet, the customers get great results from running ads on CareerBuilder. They say that newspapers are CareerBuilder’s saving grace. It's just a foolish post from an illogical thinker. Newspapers are shrinking. CareerBuilder is a brand unto itself than generates the majority of its revenue via its Web presence, not through its newspaper affiliations. Bottom line is that it is easy to criticize a growing business that just happens to have employed someone who wasn't successful.  Failed sales people always seem to have problems with sales cultures. It's a shame: the ability to appreciate is a much better quality than envy.

No Tattoos in the Workplace

Tattoos are very common place today...it is not just construction workers, as the stereo type was a quarter century ago. Today, kids get little ones on their shoulders or hips or ankles, and people have them as reminders of bets or challenges. It doesn't mean anything other than that you chose to do something to your body. Problem is...they don't go away.

So what does this have to do with a blog on jobs and recruiting? I was walking out of my office yesterday when I saw a woman wearing a tank top (Chicago in July!), and she had tattoos all over her chest. I thought to myself, What if one of her company’s clients was offended by that? What if the owner was offended by that?

From a career development perspective, you have to be very careful to either A) not offend someone who can affect your advancement, or B) be so good at your job, your appearance is irrelevant.

“B” doesn't apply to most people. Life is hard enough, and work is hard enough....if you have a tattoo, simply don't wear clothes that expose it at the office.

Manager?

If you were an employee, what would you want from your manager? Would you want someone to ask you how your child is doing after they knew they had surgery?  Would you want them to ask how you are doing after you put you mother in an assisted living facility? You might say, “No, I don't want them getting into my personal business.” O.K.  However, when you're on a train or in the car on your way home, and your boss says, “Hey, why don't you come in a bit late on Monday, so you can have breakfast with your kid who just got out of the hospital,” smile will come to your face, and you'll appreciate it.

Would you want your boss to pull a chair up to your desk and ask what you're working on, so they can give you their perspective and possibly alter your course by five degrees, saving you time and energy? You might say, “I don't want to be micromanaged....let me do my project, and you can critique it when I'm done!” However, when they say to you that they will take a piece of the project and do it for you, so you can get out of the office at a reasonable time…do you feel the same way, or do you feel as though you are really a part of the team?

Think about these things and maybe you'll either appreciate your manager more, or as a manager you'll act a little differently in working with your staff.

Don't Be Happy to Be Called an Overachiever

I have never understood the term “overachiever.”  What it says to me is that people underestimated you to begin with. Why did they under estimate you? Were you not as outgoing as you could have been? Did you not put the time into your work to make it stand out? Did you not go the extra mile in the past?

You should have goals, and your managers and bosses should have goals for you. You should be able to achieve those goals, and then set new ones. At times, we all underachieve, and then we make adjustments to do better next time. However, the idea that someone would set goals low for you should be perceived as a negative more than a positive.

As long as I am on this bandwagon…I don't really understand the idea of giving 150%.  100% is a 100%. If you are able to give more than 100%, then really, the 100% you were giving before...wasn't 100%.

Interviewing Advice

At our firm, The LaSalle Network, we make a priority of spending time, 30-60 minutes, with our candidates prior to their interview with a client. We attempt to cover the basics: get there early, wear a conservative suit, no perfume, etc. etc....to the more in-depth...how to explain gaps in work history, what they are looking for, why they are leaving positions, etc. etc. It always amazes me when people don't want this help.

I have seen it with recent college graduates in their 20s, and I have seen it with senior managers in their 40s and 50s. To begin with, if you already know it...it's a good refresher. In addition, you may not remember every little thing. Lastly, if you are so wonderful, you would get an offer for every position you interviewed for. We tell everyone of our internal employees, if you take away one thing from an educational meeting or seminar...you are that much better off!

If you recently graduated from college, you need every tool you can get your hands on because the market is so competitive. If you are an experienced worker, you need the help, because the market is always changing. The fact is if you are unwilling to accept help in this area, how willing will you be as an employee? Interviewing is tough...take advantage of every opportunity you can!

Be Thankful You're Busy

There is some irony to this recession thing that I keep hearing about on the news. I listen to the candidates for President speak about tax cuts for lower and middleclass Americans who need the break. I agree that the tax system is messed up, and we may in fact be in the midst of a recession, however, there is also something wrong with the work ethic of some people...or perhaps they are not complaining, because they have no work ethic. Either the politicians are speaking for people they really aren't in touch with (probably), or people really don't want to get ahead. We all see and hear it every day. The hourly worker who volunteers to be the first one let go on their shift when it is slow, yet complains they have no money. The salesperson who puts their work out ahead of making another sales call. The accountant who doesn't double check their analysis to make sure the numbers add up.  It's all around us.

My story of the week: I was dropping my car off at the mechanic, and they have this great service where they will drive you to your house, train, wherever. One of the workers just pulls up front, and you hop in and go. Wonderful. As we pull out of the parking lot, I ask the guy how business is. He says it is crazy busy. Believing there is a recession going on from all of the news reports, I said back that he is lucky, and that's great that it is so busy. He tells me not really, he has to work Saturdays, and he'd rather be fishing.

With people getting laid off all the time, the idea that you are so busy I would think would be a good thing. I have worked at least six days a week or an hours equivalent to that for over 10 years. It is how you get ahead. It really is a simple concept. Do more than the person next to you, and A. you stay employed, B. you stay in business and C. you get ahead.

The fact that people are upset that they have to work more when tens of thousands wish they had jobs is absurd to me. I am thankful every day that I have too much work to do; it makes me more valuable to my company!

Would You Fire Yourself?

Your manager is unfair! The deadline was too tight!

At the end of your day look at what you did and pretend that you owned the company and that your effort was of an employee who worked for you. You took a home equity loan out on your house, plus a third mortgage, you cashed our your 401k, and you borrowed money on your credit card at 22% to get enough cash to start your company. Then you hired staff and paid them twice a month no matter how well the company did that month or what they accomplished. Then you look at the day you had today from the eyes of the entrepreneur.

You came in late because your workout at the gym didn't start on time because your personal trainer was late. You were late, yet you still managed to stop at Starbucks for your coffee. When your manager came over to talk to you, you were on the phone with your girlfriend talking about your upcoming trip to Florida. You spent time on Match.com looking for a date for your best friend and then also had to check your personal e-mail four times during the day. You ducked out at 5:00 p.m. on the dot because you were having friends over for dinner, yet there was work left that can "wait for tomorrow."

Don't forget you are the person who took a home equity loan out on your house, plus a third mortgage, you cashed out your 401k, and you borrowed money on your credit card at 22% to get enough cash to start your company. The above paragraph is someone who worked for you. How would you feel knowing your pay may vary to make the business survive, yet the person who did all of the above still gets paid.

Would you keep yourself employed? Work like you own the place...maybe someday you will. I can guarantee this, you'll feel better about your job because the results will be better, your manager will be happier and you will get promoted!

Past Five in Scripps News

My tips for recession proofing your job were picked up by Getting Hired columnist Marvin Walberg over at Scripps News. Marvin also added his own two cents for improving your job, and it's great advice. He's what he had to say:

The paycheck you get each week is for doing your job. In today's workplace, just doing the minimum may not be enough. You may keep your job by doing it well, but you'll only grow your job, earning a raise or a promotion, by exceeding your employer's expectations. Work hard, and smart, and your next evaluation will be a time to celebrate.

More of Marvin's tips can be found at his blog.

Recession Proofing Tips in Salt Lake City Tribune

The Salt Lake City Tribune invited me to do an interview on tips for recession proofing your job. The article is now up over in their Business Insight section. Here's a few tips from the article:

What can you do to show your boss/company your value as an employee?

Control what you can control. You can't control the economy or the state of your company, but you can control how hard you work. You have to do your job better and do more. Take on more. Execute. Know your performance and results at all times, and take an interest in all aspects of the business to become more valuable to your employer. Don't worry so much about being laid off, worry about doing your job better.

What should you do if you are laid off?

Start your job search! Reach out to your network first. That includes anyone you have ever worked with at any company. Attend networking events in your area. Chat up people on the elevator. You never know who can help you - but be sure to be willing to help back.

Staffing and recruiting firms are also a great resource in your job search. They have connections to a vast amount of clients within varying industries and can help connect you with the right career. The key is finding a staffing and recruiting firm that takes a personal interest in your career aspirations and who will walk you through the process.

To see more tips about recession proofing your job, check out the Salt Lake City Tribune article.

Why Hiring The Right People is So Important

Recruiting Tip:

The cost of turnover is much higher than people anticipate. Spending eight to 10 hours upfront and in an elongated interview, you are going to save yourself literally hundreds of man hours in recouping morale and personal time.

Pay for the right people. Every time I didn't hire somebody because they were too expensive, I've always looked back and said, "What could have been?"