Woosley Coaching » Career

I Hope You Lose Your Job

James Woosley — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:51:06 +0000

Yep. Read the headline again. I mean it—if you hate your job.

Job haters suffer lives of quiet desperation (well, not so quiet if you monitor Twitter and Facebook!). They dread Monday and long for the weekend. Is that really what you plan to do for the next 20-40 years? Not me!

God designed us with skills, talents and abilities. But just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should spend 2,000+ hours every year doing it. He also gave us an inner spirit that defines our values, dreams and passions.

At the intersection of what you’re good at (strength) and what you enjoy doing (passion) is the opportunity to love your work (job or self-employment). And here’s the best part: people who love what they do make more money!

Who makes more: a waitress with a nice smile and great customer service, or one with a sour face and bad attitude? Fast forward a few years and see which one is selling high end real estate…

Don’t just quit your job. There are bills to pay and you need a transition plan:

1) Know Yourself – This is harder than it sounds. What are your skills, talents and abilities; your values, dreams and passions?

2) Know What You Want and What It Takes to Get There – Define your target and get the knowledge for the job (not always through school!).

3) Bust It! – Do whatever it takes within legal and moral grounds to get the job!

Sadly, most people will never do what it takes to change their lives for the better. Fortunately, some lose those jobs…and it makes all the difference in the world!

Note: This article originally appeared in January 2010 issue of the Tri-City Review.

The Perfect Resume

James Woosley — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:56:16 +0000

A few days ago, I wrote a spur of the moment post containing interviewing tips. Today, I’m going to do the same regarding resumes.

Getting a job should be simple. All you really need to do is find an ad, send in a resume and wait for an offer, right?

The truth is that resumes do not generate job offers. At best, they’ll get you a phone call, maybe a face to face interview. So stop trying to build the perfect resume! It needs to be good enough to get your foot in the door…and your intelligence, personality and professional appearance can do the rest.

So what makes a good resume?

1) ATTENTION GETTING! — Most employers will receive a stack of resumes, especially with unemployment above 10%. Trust me, they’re scanning them to pick out a few possibilities. Each resume will be lucky to get 30 whole seconds, so you have to capture their eyes quickly.

[Note: I used to review a lot of resumes so I know the truth of it from experience. It needs to be a good kind of attention though. One poor guy had his name misspelled on the top of his resume...unless his name really was BRAIN!]

One way to do this is through creativity. Though not appropriate for all positions, if it fits for your career field using colored or odd-shaped paper may do the trick. But don’t do that if you’re looking for an accounting position! A marketing position or circus performer…go for it!

Another way is to hit them up front with a great skills summary. As Dan Miller recently wrote in a blog post, the old “objectives” statement is meaningless. Hit them with a solid summary of your unique skill set. Remember that it has to be relevant to the position and company to get their attention. Grab them in the first 30 seconds, and your resume may survive make the follow-up stack.

Hitting key words that apply directly to the position and company are more important than anything else. They not only catch the human eye, but also the search algorithms used in most large companies and online job sites. Use the words in the job posting or other words that relate to that career arena.

2) Show Me the Impact! — Except for the most basic of entry level positions, most employers don’t care what your job description was in every job you’ve ever had. Unless it was a very unique position, the job title gives them exactly what they need to know regarding your duties on the job.

What gets their attention and makes them curious about you is pure and simple accomplishments. How much money did you earn the company? What percentage growth in market share was achieved during your term? Any time you can use percentages and dollar signs, eyes will be attracted. Winning awards or other significant achievements will also stand out.

[Note: I cringed at the number of resumes I reviewed that contained little or no content regarding accomplishments. It was probably 90% or more. If all you had to do was show up at your job to be able to put it on your resume, then don't include it. Show me where you ADDED value.]

3) Readability — So many people worry about the number of pages on their resume. I was always happy to review a long one if it was good, and I dreaded trying to read one in 6 pt font so that it stayed within the “two page rule”. Content is so much more important (see number 2 above).

Beyond the font size and eradication of typos, the resume should be visually pleasing. This is a bit harder to describe and is very subjective. Just remember to include proper spacing between sections and areas of the resume. Look at it without being able to focus on the words. If it’s a constant wall of words squeezed onto the page, it probably isn’t very pleasing to the focused eye. Some white space is okay!

4) Clean and Neat — While not in your control once handed off and around an office, it should be free of coffee rings, tears (as in rips, not from crying) and wrinkles. Remember number 1 above.

Enough said here.

5) Functional vs. Chronological — This debate has been around since the first resume was reviewed. Here’s my thoughts:

If you’re looking for a position that depends on a solid track record over time, go with a chronological format, outlining your job history over time (from most recent position back). Most resumes follow this format, though it isn’t always best.

If you’re looking to move in a new career direction, a functional resume that outlines your specific skills and abilities vs. a list jobs you’ve held may work better. This is especially true for those with limited workplace experience but lots of real life experience, like returning to work moms who’ve raised their children or students who’ve done extensive volunteer work. It also works well if you want to focus on a single aspect of your prior work instead of all areas within your work history.

6) Stretch the Truth? — Some employers expect everyone to lie on their resumes. Perhaps because they lied to get their current job, or maybe just that they’ve conducted enough interviews with people who couldn’t back up their “accomplishments”.

Integrity matters. Don’t put anything on your resume that you can’t back up. Most good employers and jobs worth having/companies worth working for will appreciate your honesty and find it refreshing.

SECRET WEAPON — Customize your resume whenever possible to the position you’re applying for. Have both chronological and functional resumes prepared and ready to go, then use the one that fits best.

I hope these tips help as you prepare or edit your resume. Again, I wrote this in just a few minutes off the top of my head. If you have experience reviewing or submitting resumes, I’d love to have your thoughts and suggestions posted in the comments.

There is much more to concept of resumes that we discuss in the
48 Days to the Work You Love Workshops.

Contact me if you’re interested in learning more about this life changing seminar!

Interviewing to Win

James Woosley — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:48:04 +0000

No one ever landed a good job based on a good resume alone. Remember that a resume’s job is to win you the interview, not the job!

So what does it take to ace the interview?

1) Be Punctual — Good luck digging out of the hole when you show up late. In most cases, you’re probably just as likely to get the job by skipping the interview completely. At the same time, you don’t want to show up too early. Don’t mess up the interviewer’s schedule. Make sure you know how to get there, and if you show up too early, circle the block a few times. Walk in about 5-10 minutes before the scheduled start and you’re good to go.

2) First Impressions Matter — Dress appropriate to the workplace, perhaps one notch above the workplace. Sure, they say it’s a business casual office, but don’t go in wearing jeans. Overdress a little (but save the tux for your college roommate’s wedding or an interview with MI6). Be clean and smell neutral (body odor or strong cologne/perfume will be a turnoff). Smile, know how to give a good handshake and make proper eye contact (staring is bad…even when it’s at the carpet).

3) Don’t Minimize the Gatekeeper — Many an interview has gone wonderfully well until the boss asks the secretary or assistant their opinion. If you are rude or unpleasant to the employer’s staff, you won’t be getting the job.

4) Do Your Research — Get to know the company and the industry before the interview. One word: Google! Having knowledge about your potential future employer and their business can only help you during the interview.

5) Leave Your Nerves At Home — Being a little nervous is normal, especially if you’re desperate for the job. One, don’t be desperate…there are lots of jobs and companies hiring good people if you can prove you can help their business. Two, calm your nerves by remembering that you are interviewing them as well. Do you really want to work there if they are jerks or don’t come across as ethical? This worked wonders for me when I separated from the Air Force and had 11 interviews in two days. Three, continues on that comment…practice helps. Go on lots of interviews, even for the jobs you might not want. You may be surprised, and it’ll get your ready for the big ones without appearing nervous or desperate.

6) Preparation — If you think about it, you can probably guess at least three to five questions they are likely to ask in every interview (Tell me about yourself…What is your experience in our industry…etc.). You better have practiced and have good answers. One of my favorites when I was interviewing was to first ask someone about their strengths (should be easy), then I’d ask about their weaknesses (saying you don’t have any is the wrong answer, but so is going into major social flaws in your character). Be ready for the questions.

7) Ask Good Questions — You already knew they were going to ask you lots of questions. But if you can’t ask them relevant questions about their business, you will not appear as interested or as intelligent.

I cannot stress enough that for the interview to go well and for a job to be offered and accepted, a Win-Win scenario is needed. If they don’t like you, no offer…no job. If they like you but you don’t like them, it’s not the right job (or you won’t be there long). Always look for the Win-Win.

SECRET WEAPON — Realize that the interviewer is probably talking to a lot of people, especially when unemployment is at around 10% (though that varies a lot by region and industry). You need to be remarkable and memorable. One sure way to do that: offer them a 30, 60, 90 day schedule of what you plan to accomplish after you start working there. Almost no one will do that and they will remember you!

I hope these tips help the next time you face an interview…I wrote this in just a few minutes off the top of my head. Feel free to add additional tips in the comments.

There is much more to the interview process that we discuss in the
48 Days to the Work You Love Workshops.

Contact me if you’re interested in learning more about this amazing seminar!

Work as Play

James Woosley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:15:51 +0000

Have you ever talked to someone who’s been retired for a few months and asked them what they think of it? Many times they simply say that they don’t know why they didn’t do it sooner.

Why is that? Is it because they hated their job so much they never quit? Or is it because they never realized they could do something else?

I believe that today in America people have a choice in their work. You can choose to work somewhere or you can choose to leave. You can choose to start your own business or you can choose to work for someone else.

Sure, we all have commitments and obligations to fulfill. Spouses to care for, kids to feed, student loans to repay…but don’t we get to choose HOW we do it?

I’ve had lots of jobs. I’ve enjoyed some and hated others. I’ve stayed too long in the ones I didn’t like. And when it was over…I wondered why I stayed so long.

No more. I’m creating the work that I love! I’m doing the things that I want to do, the things that I’m passionate about. Sure, there may be some rough times along the way and not every day will be enjoyable. But on the whole, I’m not putting up with the misery of a job I cannot enjoy.

In the long term, I’ll probably find more success and make more money pursuing work I love (whether in a job or self-employment) than I will slaving away for a 30 year pension and gold watch. I know I’ll enjoy it more. And I know I’ll have a greater impact on the world around me.

Step one to finding work you love: Realize that when you define your work as play, you’ll never work another day in your life.

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play, his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body, his information and his recreation, his love and his religion. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence at whatever he does, leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing. To him he’s always doing both.”

– James A. Michener

Ready to join me on the journey, or stick with a job you dislike/hate/loathe for the false security of a paycheck?

Book Review: 48 Days to the Work You Love

James Woosley — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:45:18 +0000

About three years ago, after hearing Dave Ramsey talk about how wonderful Dan Miller’s book 48 Days to the Work You Love is if you are going through a job change or career crisis, I knew I had to read it. Problem was, I’m cheap and busy. I had a lot of books on my “to read” list, and didn’t want to pay full price (price vs. value is another discussion for later this month!).

Providence smiled on me one day at a local fire sale store…I found 48 Days for about $4. A perfectly good book recommended by a trusted adviser and outrageously cheap…I bought two!

What makes 48 Days so good is that it’s not just another resume and interview tips book. Dan spends the first half of the book forcing you to probe deep within yourself. What are your motivations? What are your dreams? What are your passions? Discover those things and realize that when you love what you do for a living it’s hardly work at all.

At Dan’s core is the mantra of finding how your “talents, skills and abilities match your values, dreams and passions”. He dissects the differences between a job, a career and a vocation. And he advocates a balanced approach in living your whole life, not just the time you spend working.

The second half of the book addresses the fundamental job hunting techniques…job searches, resumes, interviews, appearance, etc. But there are two distinctions to his approach. First, he’s already led you on a journey of self awareness, so you’re more comfortable and confident. Then he approaches these often mundane job hunting tasks in new and fresh ways. Ways that make you stand out to potential employers. Ways that get you interviews and job offers.

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Dan and becoming a Certified 48 Days Facilitator. He is as real and as genuine as my father and has no pretense of celebrity. His family is just as real and only enhances my image of him. He’s coached me and answered my questions many times since, and I’m honored to call him a friend.

Dan Miller presenting my 48 Days certificate at his home office (The Sanctuary) in Franklin, TN.

If you want to learn how to find the work that you love, or perhaps even start your own business, I cannot recommend anyone without first recommending Dan Miller. Read 48 Days to the Work You Love. Then read his follow-up text on self-employement, No More Mondays. Visit 48Days.com to signup for his newsletter and listen to his podcast. If you invest just a little time reading and listening to Dan and following his advice, your perspective on work and life will be forever changed!

Have you read the book or had any experience with Dan Miller? Post a comment and let me know what you think!

Want to dig deeper than the book?
The 48 Days Workshops are the best way move into work you love!

Classes will start in December 2009.
Email me or sign up for the newsletter to be among the first to know all the details!

I’m Going to Save the World!

James Woosley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:25:52 +0000

My kids are great at teaching me lessons that they don’t even know yet. For example, my son Ian is on a superhero kick. Everything is about good guys and bad guys. He takes off his shirt to show off his muscles and “flys” around the house saying he’s going to save the world.

Ian cheesing the camera in his Halloween costume (as a racecar driver instead of super hero this time!).

I pat him on the head and being pragmatic, tell him he needs to start one person at a time and see how it goes from there. He doesn’t hear me anyway, and I’m honestly happy that he doesn’t in this case. Who am I to stunt the growth of his ambition?

But there is a serious lesson there for us grown ups. We can have the biggest dreams and ambitions, but if we spend all of our time thinking of how to “do it all” or “do it right”, we rarely get started in the first place.

I do the same thing all the time. I want to be one of the most successful coaches in the country, with books and radio/tv shows and people lining up for an hour of my time. But I can’t start there. I can’t save the world until I’ve helped one person, then two, then three and so on. Eventually, maybe I can impact the whole world. It’s good to dream! But a dream without action is never going to come true.

In order to help myself help others, I’m declaring November as Jobs and Careers month on my blog. I’ll be posting articles related to job searches, resources, self-employment and other topics within the theme all month long. I may even have a special announcement somewhere in there. Plans for December are all I’m going to say today.

So what are you going to do today to impact someone’s life? Be that kind of hero!

Is Your Future Sabatoging Your Career?

James Woosley — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:12:35 +0000

Who is to blame for your failures? Are they a result of the decisions you’ve made? External forces beyond your control? Or could it be a future so afraid of your success destroying the universe that it comes back to stop you from succeeding?

Scientists are blaming their failures on the Large Hadron Collider project on the “future” according to an article in the New York Times by Dennis Overbye:

“More than a year after an explosion of sparks, soot and frigid helium shut it down, the world’s biggest and most expensive physics experiment, known as the Large Hadron Collider, is poised to start up again. In December, if all goes well, protons will start smashing together in an underground racetrack outside Geneva in a search for forces and particles that reigned during the first trillionth of a second of the Big Bang.

Then it will be time to test one of the most bizarre and revolutionary theories in science. I’m not talking about extra dimensions of space-time, dark matter or even black holes that eat the Earth. No, I’m talking about the notion that the troubled collider is being sabotaged by its own future. A pair of otherwise distinguished physicists have suggested that the hypothesized Higgs boson, which physicists hope to produce with the collider, might be so abhorrent to nature that its creation would ripple backward through time and stop the collider before it could make one, like a time traveler who goes back in time to kill his grandfather.”

Impossible science courtesy of Hollywood’s Marty McFly (Back to the Future) and John Connor (Terminator)!

I’m a bit of a nerd and think it’s a pretty interesting experiment (though the notion of a “God particle” is ridiculous). And while these scientists have bigger brains for than I do, I have to wonder if they’re setting a dangerous precedent.

If you’ve lost your job and are struggling to find one in our current economic client, is that a function of the future? Has time somehow worked its way backwards to sabotage your career?

Imagine you’re in a job interview and asked why you were let go from your last job. Your answer: “The future sabotaged that job just so you could hire me for this one.” I don’t recommend that approach!

There are lots of possibilities, but I think if I were you I’d take a more traditional approach. Maybe you should look at your past and see what you can learn from your prior successes and failures. Maybe you should look at your present and determine what you need to be doing right now to get the results you want.

Can your future determine your present? Normally we’d say no. But I’m wondering if perhaps it can. Do you have a vision of the future you would like to create? If you don’t you can only get there by accident.

So go build yourself a time machine. Get to the future you desire by working hard today–with goals in hand–to get to where you want to be tomorrow.

Particle physics aside, that’s the only way to get there!

I Can’t Help You

James Woosley — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:15:13 +0000

It’s my job, my mission to help people with their careers and finances. I enjoy it and I’m good at it. But that doesn’t mean I can help you.

The simple fact is that some people are beyond help.

It’s not that their situations are beyond repair. I’ve seen some pretty bad situations while coaching, but there are paths forward for all of them. The problem is that some people simply want a magic pill to solve all of their problems. They have blinded themselves to the reality of their situations and don’t want help…or won’t admit they need it.

So, if you simply need a friend to pat you on the back and let you wallow in the pit you’re in, I’m not the coach for you. But if you’re sick of where you’re at…if you hate your job or aren’t reaching your financial goals…let’s talk. If you’re ready to make changes and work hard, let me know.

I can help you.