Page 2 of your business success tips
Do You Stretch the Truth on Your Resume?
posted 1/14/03
There is an unfortunate trend in this tight job market, one that spells disaster for the individual who attempts it: falsifying your resume. You might think that stretching the truth on your curriculum vitae does no harm, because you are head and shoulders above the other candidates for a coveted position. Yet, what does lying on a resume really mean?
First and foremost, embellishments and outright lies on a resume only show that you cannot be trusted if you are hired. No company knowingly prefers to hire a person with a resume riddled with false academic achievements or incorrect employment information. If you falsify the facts on a resume, wouldn't you be likely to lie again in the future? Probably.
Second, you run a chance of getting caught in a web of your lies, possibly losing your job in the process. Although the odds are good that a small or midsize company won't catch your falsifications, a large company probably will -- much to your humiliation and career detriment.
Why take the chance to lie for career gain? The truth is that honesty is best, even if it means not getting a job that you really wanted. If you really think about it, you wouldn't want to hire someone who routinely stretched the truth to fit his or her ambitions.
Saying that "everybody's doing it" won't wash, either. Most job seekers do not falsify their resumes. Studies show that fewer than 50 per cent of job seekers lie on their resumes. Be sure that you are one of the many who practice honesty in your career seeking actions -- it'll pay off in the end, when you get hired for your bona fide accomplishments and skills.
© 2003 Kathy Sanborn
How to Make the Power to Win Work for You
posted 1/08/03
Do you still think of yourself as a loser? Let success coach and author Kathy Sanborn show you how to increase your own "Power to Win." Learn how to be the winner you've always wanted to be. If you have the Power to Win, you can achieve your career and personal dreams.
1) The Power to Win comes from your own thinking. Teddy Roosevelt said, "All the resources we need are in the mind." You don't have to be a loser -- you have everything you need to win already!
2) Believe in yourself. Without fail, you have to believe that you can achieve your aims in life. If you don't think you have it in you to succeed, then you probably won't.
3) Know what makes you happy. If you're a people person but you've taken a job in a warehouse loading heavy boxes, you might want to reconsider your choice of careers.
4) Evaluate your talents honestly. If you don't know your strengths and areas where you need improvement, you could misjudge the right job for you. Maybe you believe you have great customer service skills already, but your boss and coworkers think you need more training.
5) Learn to get along with others. One of the most important factors in career success is the ability to get along with other people. Don't underestimate the value of being a team player! If you find yourself in conflict on the job, never assume that it's always the other person's fault.
6) Don't let your background determine your future. If your work history isn't spotless, don't allow that to influence your career prospects. If you have a goal, make that your focus -- avoid dwelling on a past that you can't change. Making excuses is easy. Don't blame a lack of success on the "poor me" syndrome.
7) A quick visualization technique to try: Picture yourself running with a football, skillfully evading the other team as you make your way down the football field. At the end of the field is the career or personal goal you have set -- see yourself scoring a touchdown, and thus, reaching your goal.
8) The Power to Win is in your hands. No one is going to hand you success -- you'll have to make it happen for yourself. Taking action is the only way you will make progress on your goals. Make an action chart and update it daily. Keep your goal in front of you by posting it where you can see it throughout the day.
© 2003 Kathy Sanborn
The Mature Worker's Typical Concerns about Career Change
posted 12/20/02
I'm too old to start another career.
Not so -- if you have the desire for a new career, you can accomplish it. An older worker offers more experience, and helps to capture a more mature clientele. You may want to do some volunteer or part-time work first in your new field of interest before committing to a change of career. Age, in and of itself, doesn't have to be the factor preventing you from career growth.
I don't have a career ladder anymore.
So step onto another one -- whether you're at the top of your current ladder or stuck at a rung somewhere in the middle, you have options for change. If you feel like a square peg in a round hole in your present profession, take an honest look at how you fit in at your current organization. You might have to discard the old ladder for one that fits you better -- someplace else.
To advance, I need to go back to school.
Maybe. You'll need to evaluate whether you are interested in returning to school, and if additional education ultimately will benefit you enough to offset the time and costs involved. Instead, you may want to consider other careers where you can use your transferable skills without having to go back to school. Having higher education does not mean that automatically you'll produce more than is expected of you. As Mark Twain said, "I've never let my schooling interfere with my education."
In order to advance at your current job, you may need only to show more innovation in coming up with problem-solving ideas to help your company, rather than acquiring more formal education. Be sure to take advantage of any employer-paid training opportunities when they are offered. Having advanced classes in your field can open the door to promotions -- you'll be seen as having the motivation to stay current in your field.
I may lose my benefits with a career change.
This is an area you don't want to ignore. Because regulations regarding retirement and employee benefits change constantly, you'll need to do some careful homework before you make a big career decision. You'll want to have the latest tax law information to aid you in determining your future plans.
If layoffs occur, I'll be ill equipped to compete in the labor market.
In an era that requires continually updated skills, know your transferable skills and be aware of how you can parlay them into even unrelated fields of work. Consider becoming a consultant or an independent contractor on a part-time basis. If you are in a job that could be eliminated, it's up to you to research your options and be fully prepared for any eventuality.
My expertise is too narrow to transfer to another career.
Not necessarily. You may not be aware of how you could use your skills elsewhere because you've been so focused on your current career situation. Use your community resources and the Internet to discover a new direction. Odds are you have more to offer than you realize.
I'd have to build new professional relationships.
Probably. But by using the network you already have, you won't have to start from scratch. You never know when an old contact will lead to new opportunity, so keep in touch with people from your old career as you build your new network. Besides, half the fun is making new connections!
How do I assess the risk of going from a secure career to an uncertain future?
Nothing in life is certain -- and if it were, life would be rather dull. Still, making a drastic career change can feel as scary as leaping from a building with no net underneath -- you don't know whether you'll land safely. The key is to use a combination of solid research and your own inner feelings. If you are certain that your present career situation holds no more satisfaction for you, then you may not have much to lose by moving on to a new venture. The financial considerations of a career transition need to be planned out carefully in advance, so the fear factor is reduced as much as possible. Leaving a secure job with no concrete plan in motion would be foolhardy at best.
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
Seven Rules for Success
posted 12/06/02
To be successful in your chosen field, there are seven important rules to follow.
1) The first rule of success is to know what the term "success" means to you. Define it in your own words, and write it down so you won't forget it. You may decide to change your definition in the future, as you go along your career path.
2) Now that you know your own definition of success, what do you need to do to make success real in your life? Make a list of steps you'll need to take.
3) Be happy in your current work, even if that work is not your ideal career. Accept where you are now, and go with the flow of events. Complaining about your job is not going to help you to move forward.
4) Make your career one of service to others. That is sure to propel you to success in your chosen profession.
5) Money should not be your main focus as you progress in your career. First and foremost, your job should bring you joy and fulfillment.
6) You don't have to stay in a job you don't like. However -- make sure you cover your financial bases as much as you can before leaving your current position.
7) Be persistent about getting the career you desire. Keep plugging away -- giving up too early may mean you'll never know what could have happened had you stuck with it!
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
Getting Along on the Job
posted 12/02/02
If you know how to get along on the job, you'll have the best key to success in your hands. Teddy Roosevelt said, "The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people."
Once you discover that simple fact, you are well on your way to increased career achievement.
People who get along with their coworkers and boss are the "golden" ones -- they have the Midas touch!
When you're new on the job, take time to observe your environment and the people around you. It's not a good time to make waves when you're still getting acclimated to a new position.
Watch what you say on the job. Avoid gossip -- it will always find its way back to haunt you.
Be willing to help out when busy times occur. If you're perceived as a team player, your reputation as an excellent worker may soar.
Handle any conflict that arises with a coworker or boss calmly and respectfully. You'll want to talk to the actual person involved -- not to a third party. Of course, if a problem cannot be discussed and resolved, you may have to have your superior step in to handle it.
Smart workers know company policies, and abide by the rules and guidelines. If your organization does not have a policy or procedures manual, you may have to ask questions in order to find out what you need to know.
Avoid getting too friendly with coworkers who are trouble makers, or those who are not in favor with your boss. You probably will be judged by the company you keep, for better or worse.
Be honest in your business dealings, with clients as well as with other employees. Don't be tempted to stretch the truth for any reason. One who practices dishonesty, usually gets caught in a lie. Once you are branded as a liar, it will be difficult to change that perception. Remember the little boy who cried, "Wolf!"?
If you are thinking about leaving your job, keep your intentions to yourself. Do your job hunting in your private time, and don't tell anyone that you are headed for greener pastures. If you let it slip that you're looking for a different job, the word will travel fast, and you may find yourself out the door before you've had a job offer.
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
The Five Worst Mistakes You Can Make When Interviewing
posted 11/18/02
There are some universal missteps that many career seekers make during that all-important job interview. Being aware of these wrong moves will help you to stay ahead of the game as you work towards finding that perfect career niche.
Assuming an air of overconfidence
Although you may be head and shoulders above the competition, the company doesn't know that yet. An approach of cockiness or too much confidence can leave you out in the cold - interviewers tend to favor those with respectful, yet self-assured, attitudes. There's a fine line between assertive and aggressive behavior - be certain not to cross over it.
Showing your desperation for a job
A big thing to avoid is appearing as though you have to have this position. An interviewer will sense your neediness and quickly put you out of the running. Just because you may be desperate for work doesn't mean that you have to show it. Believing that there's a perfect job match out there for you somewhere will help to keep you upbeat and not desperate throughout the job search period.
Neglecting to bring enough evidence of your accomplishments
If you don't carry copies of important documents such as letters of recommendation, certificates, awards, and extra copies of your résumé, you'll look unprepared at the job interview. Offering to provide such items "later" won't pack the punch you need at the time. The interviewer, rightly so, will think you didn't have it all together. Always bring more verification than you need, just in case - that way, you'll never have to ask sheepishly, "May I fax it to you?"
Dressing inappropriately for the interview
Your appearance is the one thing that can make or break your chances for this position. Even though the other employees at the place you wish to work may be wearing jeans and tennis shoes, you'll want to dress a cut above the standard to make a good impression at the interview. On the other hand, dressing too much better than the others could hurt your odds of getting the job, so strive for a happy medium.
It should go without saying that personal cleanliness is de rigueur in any job interview. Don't forget that your appearance will be scrutinized carefully throughout the entire hiring process, so be freshly scrubbed. You could have all the skills and personality in the world, but if you have dirty fingernails, don't count on getting the job.
Not having any questions for the interviewer
Make sure you come prepared with at least a few questions for the interviewer. Do your homework on the company for which you wish to work. Nothing could be worse than reacting with a blank stare when the interviewer asks you, "Do you have any questions?" Because you're interviewing them at the same time they're interviewing you, ask the questions you want to know, with the exception of salary or benefits. You may want to ask if you could tour the workplace, or inquire whether they offer any training programs in your field. Last but not least, find out when they will be making a decision and the best time to contact them about it.
By preparing well ahead of time, you'll be ready to put your best foot forward in the interview. Practice your responses to common interview questions in order to come across smoothly, and be sure to avoid the five worst interviewing mistakes we've just discussed. No matter what the outcome, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing you had a great interview.
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
Workplace Incivility: The New Job Monster
Guess what's rearing its ugly head at work? It's the Workplace Incivility Monster-the ogre that spreads gossip and ill will instead of joy and camaraderie. Research tells us that rudeness and malice are spreading like wildfire in offices and work sites throughout the land. Is this new trend one that will worm its way in to stay? Or can we nip workplace incivility in the bud?
The signs of workplace incivility are easy to spot. Long ago, when good manners were the norm, common social practice was to treat others with respect and kindness. Now, a worker is apt to experience behavior such as cutting remarks and malicious gossip on the job.
Coworkers who belittle others, exhibit temper tantrums, tune out conversations, and play office politics are practicing workplace incivility.
What can you do if you are on the receiving end of workplace incivility?
1) Avoid stooping to the level of the perpetrator. Deal with any rudeness firmly but politely. Do what you can to stay out of the way of any coworker who practices negative behaviors.
2) If the situation doesn't improve significantly, you may have to talk with the individual in a very calm and non-confrontational manner. It's usually best to speak directly to the person involved first, rather than going over her head to a supervisor.
3) Discuss the situation with a supervisor if you and the individual cannot see eye to eye after talking it out.
4) You have the option of changing jobs if you reach a point where you feel that you can't get the problem resolved satisfactorily.
5) No one deserves to be treated rudely in the workplace. By dealing with any workplace incivility issues as soon as they arise, you'll have the best chance to nip it in the bud before it becomes an established work practice.
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
The Ten Keys to Manage, Train, and Retain Your Workers
More than ever before, your tool kit as a manager must include more people skills and communication savvy. In this era of workers who don't even last through their training period, you have to be able to come up with solutions that work for each individual employee. Because your workers are not cookie-cutter people, the solutions to your management, training, and retention challenges must be varied and flexible.
You can go to school and learn Management Style 101-but that won't help you too much in the real world, where the most important rules of dealing with an employee are as follows:
1) Treat her like the great person she already is.
If you treat your employees with respect and courtesy, no matter what their level of employment, you'll find they not only will produce good work for you, but they will stay with you. Even more than the draw of a nice salary is the employee's need to be appreciated on the job. An employee wants to hear that you care about her as a person.
2) Practice the Golden Rule of Business.
Sound familiar? Yes, the Golden Rule works in business as well. If you are ever in any doubt as to how to handle a particular employee, think of this rule-it works! As a career coach and corporate consultant, I've heard many scary stories about managers berating their employees in front of shocked and embarrassed customers, due to poor people skills or sheer ignorance. There is no excuse to yell at or belittle an employee in any way! Some supervisors practice this abominable behavior because they like to show their power, but there's nothing powerful about being disrespectful to an employee.
3) Make sure your employee is adequately trained for his job.
Too often, a worker is thrust into the fray of a new job without sufficient training to handle it. This practice can put additional pressure on an individual who is trying to get acclimated to a new position, which can be a stressful situation in itself. As an employer, you have several reasons for making sure that your workers have an adequate training program. 1)Your company's productivity and efficiency will increase; 2) your workers will be more satisfied with their jobs; and 3) it will be easier for you to weed out the trainees who may not be able to do the job, in order to place them in another position in your organization that they may be able to handle. Letting a new employee sink or swim on his own is usually not the best policy!
4) Make your company an enjoyable place to work.
When you're running a business, it's easy to focus on the bottom line and not on what you can do to make the work place fun! Employees are more productive when they enjoy their work, and you can go a long way in making their jobs more satisfying. This doesn't mean you must have an office party every week, mind you, but make an effort to keep the work atmosphere light and pleasant, no matter how heavy or fast-paced the workload. Watch for employees who have personality conflicts-you'll need to step in quickly if that situation occurs, in order to keep the problem from spreading throughout your company.
5) Offer occasional contests for your workers.
You may want to offer contests or bonuses now and then, geared towards the whole business team rather than to individual members. For example, if the team reaches a certain pre-determined level of productivity, you can reward them with a cash bonus or some other prize. This practice encourages your team members to work together as an effective unit, while rewarding them for a job well done!
6) Create a retention program that is effective.
The smartest business owners and managers develop programs that help the employees when they need it. You'll want to make certain your workers have someone to talk to about their particular concerns and challenges. Employees are complicated people, and, inevitably, issues will crop up that will need to be addressed. Your workers may confront divorce, illness, accident, drug or alcohol issues, family problems, and so on. Being aware of your employees and their concerns will allow you to assist them when they need your help. Letting an employee go because she is going through a rough spot in her life doesn't serve the employee or you, in the long run.
7) Develop a career track so your people have someplace to go.
If possible, create a career path in order to offer other opportunities for your employees to use to further their careers. The best employees will want to move onwards and upwards, learning new skills as they go. If there is no place in which to promote at your company, you run the risk of losing your brightest and most capable staff members. Ambitious employees will use your company as a stepping stone to a better job if they cannot get ahead with your organization.
8) Be a "hands on" manager.
Be visible at your place of employment, and be available to talk to your workers directly. This doesn't mean spending your time peering over the shoulders of your employees to make sure that their work is being done. It does mean that you pop in to touch base with your staff regularly, offering friendly greetings and a little time for questions or comments as you make your rounds. Your staff wants to know that you care about your business-and that you care about them. An absent boss is probably a negligent one.
9) Make additional education and training opportunities available for your employees.
We've already talked about the importance of providing training classes for your new employees. Offering additional days of training for your seasoned workers can be just as valuable for their productivity and job satisfaction. Methods and procedures frequently change at any workplace. Keeping your workers abreast of those changes will result in fewer errors, thus saving you money in the long run. Additional training may be provided by your own company staff, or contracted with outside companies as well. For example, for improving your staff's customer service, diversity, communication, time management, or conflict resolution skills, you would benefit by using the services of a professional coaching business.
10) Take time to update your own skills as a manager.
As a manager, you can never stop learning! There are ways to improve even the best manager's skills, and education is a process that goes on for your entire lifetime. To make sure that you remain enthusiastic about your job, plan to renew yourself at regular intervals along your career path. As you grow, so does your organization.
© 2001-2002 Kathy Sanborn
Quick Customer Service Tips
These days, a business will be made or will fade on the customer service skills of its employees. Don't let your company forget about the most important key to business success -- customer service!
1) Good customer service is all about the customer -- and not about you. The customer wants and needs to be treated with respect and courtesy.
2) Good eye contact, a ready smile, and a polite greeting are the basic tools to use in customer service. If your service is provided over the phone, you need to smile as you speak -- believe it or not, your customer will know the difference.
3) Provide your service in a timely way. Today's buyer or product user is busier than ever, and your efficient service will be appreciated.
4) Remember that your company wouldn't be in business without the customer -- and every person you serve is important.
5) Let your customer know that you care, by providing extra touches that will make her come back to you again and again.
6) Practice smart customer service: Avoid making personal phone calls while you are on the clock. Save those calls for your breaks. Your customers want and deserve your complete attention while you are serving their needs.
7) Listen carefully to your customer, in order to know exactly what is being asked of you. If he has a complaint, make every effort to make it right. Resolving a customer's problem satisfactorily may mean the difference between keeping or losing her forever.
8) Make sure you only promise what you can deliver. You'll maintain your credibility if you are able to back up what you say. If you can't get the order out by today, don't say you can.
9) In this world of hustle and bustle, it's the cool and calm customer service representative that wins the day! Sure, you're going to have a hectic day now and then -- but make sure you handle that pressure by practicing some stress reduction techniques like exercise or meditation.
© 2002 Kathy Sanborn
