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Michelle A. Riklan
Certified Resume Writer, Career Coach, LinkedIn Profile Writer, Trainer, Facilitator, Author, Columnist, Speaker
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Career Newsletter
Volume II, Issue 12 December 2012
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Riklan Resources, LLC 522 Highway 9 North #290 Manalapan, New Jersey 07726 (800) 540-3609
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Greetings!
Welcome to December's career newsletter!
As we start to wind down 2012, I have an important question to ask my job-seekers... are you slowing down your search during the holiday season?
While it's true that many decision makers may be taking time off and may not be available, the opposite is also true. Business travel tends to slow down during the holidays and individuals with heavy travel schedules may be around the office during the next month.
I advise that if you are in job search mode, keep the momentum going throughout the holiday season. And, if you are about to make a change, this may be a good time to get started. Networking opportunities may be more available at this time and it may be easier for you to make some new connections.
Since many applicants assume during the holiday season that it's not worth it to send out the resume, you may find yourself with a competitive edge if you do get your resume on a decision-maker's desk.
Holiday parties and festive moods are good reasons to connect and reach out to people who you don't see on a daily basis such as former colleagues, old friends, and others in your network. Be sure to let people know what type of position you are looking for, ask if they can introduce you to someone who can assist you in your search, and be sure to follow up.
Happy Holidays!
  
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Our list is growing! If you would like to advertise in future issues, please send an e-mail to robin@riklanresources.com. Please feel free to send suggestions for improvement and additional areas that you would like to see covered in future issues to michelle@riklanresources.com. |
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Interview Pre-Planning and Planning
by Michelle A. Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC
We can never know for sure who will be sitting across from the desk and interviewing us for that dream job. A Recruiter? Hiring Manager? CEO? Human Resources? Are they an experienced interviewer? Have a clear understanding of the open position? Are they the gatekeeper or the decision maker? Since we do not know for sure, we cannot assume that we know what will be asked and how the interview will be conducted. Our best line of defense with the many unknowns of the job interview is "BE PREPARED."
First Impressions
What phone number have you provided? Is it a line that goes directly to you voicemail? Since a potential interviewer may need to leave you a message, make sure to prepare a professional voicemail message that will leave a positive first impression and that does not give away too much information.
Here are some examples of messages that may easily ensure that you will NOT get called in for the interview:
- "Hey whassup, you know what to do."
- "This is Carly's boyfriend Roy, she's busy. Leave a message."
- "You've reached John, Kathy, Troy, Susie, Caitlin and Fluffy. Leave us a message."
- "We are not here. Call back and God bless."
You get the point. Be clear, professional and positive in your message and keep it simple. For example: "Hi, this is Mark and I am sorry I missed your call. Please leave your name, number and a brief message and I will return your call shortly. Thank you."
Transportation
Make sure it is reliable and that you have a backup. If you are taking public transportation, make sure you have checked and double-checked the schedules, purchased tickets in advance, planned alternative routes and left ample time for delays.
If you are driving, make sure your vehicle represents you well. This does not mean that it needs to be a BMW. It does mean that it needs to be clean, without toys and juice boxes falling out the door. You never know if an interviewer will walk you to your car. Why would they do this? A disorganized, sloppy car may be an indicator of what your desk and work habits will look like. It may also be much too telling. Five magnets with soccer, football, dance, gymnastics, etc. may beg the question of how busy your family life really is and if it could interfere with a new position. You never want to offer up too much personal information!
Attire
Make sure that you have more than one appropriate interview outfits. Do some homework on the company so you can see what is appropriate to wear. Dress neatly, and put forth a positive first physical appearance. (Clean shaven, nails polished/clean, well-groomed hair).
Do Your Research
Learn what you can about the company. What are the company's goals/mission, what products/services are offered? Have there been any recent changes in organizational structure? Any current news about the organization? What is the company history?
Learn what you can about the open position. To whom does it report? Why is it open? Are there any direct reports? Is there a formal job description that you can review in advance?
Keeping the above in mind can help you to start preparing to go on your interview. Next month, we will look at things you should know when you come face-to-face with your interviewer.
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Are You Connected or Disconnected? Understanding How to Communicate Effectively with Prospects and Clients
by Jane Roqueplot, CPBA
Have you ever found yourself trying to communicate with a client or prospective client and wondering why you just couldn't seem to connect? Perhaps, while interviewing the client, you were struggling to extract information bit by bit. Or maybe the client was firing questions at you so quickly you barely had time to react let alone formulate cogent answers before he or she was leaping to the next idea or question? Then, there are those times where you find yourself effortlessly communicating with a client and wishing all your client encounters would go so well. What can account for such differences?
Different behavioral styles influence our communication and interactions with others. Awareness and understanding of style differences and similarities can foster effective communication and lead to more positive interactions. Awareness begins by first knowing one's own behavioral tendencies and then learning to recognize differences in others.
Much of our success as career practitioners, as it is for our clients, can be attributed to our ability to communicate effectively -- whether that communication is on our behalf or on our clients' behalf. The heart of a connection through effective communication, and ultimately gaining someone's cooperation and commitment, lies in building rapport, eliciting trust, and establishing credibility. Clients always want to know what we are going to do for them, which is just another way of asking, "What am I going to get out of this relationship?" In other words, can they trust you to help them, do you have the necessary skills, and will you be easy to work with? These questions in many ways mirror those that prospective employers want to know of job candidates.
How do you find out what clients need and determine if you are the best fit for a particular client if you are unable to open the doorway to communication for the connection needed? By understanding people and treating them in ways that respect their unique needs, you build mutual trust and foster relationships that transcend differences. Behavioral and communication experts use professional assessments to help identify different behavioral styles and adapt their own styles to complement those with whom they are interacting.
One widely used, accurate, and validated assessment tool, with EEOC approval, is based on the four behavioral style DISC concept. By using a DISC-based assessment, you can DISCover your own behavioral style, learn to recognize the other styles, and adapt your communication style to match that of the person with whom you need an effective connection. For example, if you are outgoing and fast-paced, but you are talking with someone who is reserved, cautious, and slower-paced, you speak more slowly, with less exuberance, and allow that person time to ask questions and process the answers you provide. In this way, you begin to speak in the way the client receives information, thereby building rapport, eliciting trust, and establishing credibility.
Opening the doorway to communication allows you to dramatically increase sales, communicate your brand more clearly, and provide better services for your clients. Using DISC-based assessments gives you a deeper understanding of your clients, enabling you to write career documents that more accurately reflect your clients' unique styles and organizational strengths. These tools can also be used to coach clients in improving their interviewing, relationship building, and interpersonal skills and in making more successful career choices.
If you have found yourself enjoying certain interactions from natural connections while dreading others, perhaps it is time to expand your toolkit with professional assessments. Create win-win situations, establish connections with those who think, behave, and communicate differently than you. Grow your business to new levels by opening the doorway to communication -- and enjoy your "DISC"-connection.
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Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst, Jane Roqueplot, leads the team at her career advancement firm, JaneCo's Sensible Solutions, in delivering positive results providing career management materials and services. Since 1995, job-seeking and professional development clients learn "people-awareness and sensitivity" as a key in developing effective relationships while realizing their interpersonal strengths, their natural and perceived communication styles, and gaining an appreciation of the behavioral style preferences of others.
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Suggested Reading: Personal Branding for Dummies
By Susan Chritton
Personal Branding For Dummies
by Susan Chritton
Paperback
List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $12.75
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Whether searching for a first job, exploring a career change, or looking to be more visible and successful in your current career, creating a clear and concise image, respected reputation, and high profile status is critical. With the hands-on, friendly help of Personal Branding For Dummies, you'll establish a professional presence and personal brand identity to keep yourself distinguished in the business world. | |
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If you have a favorite career book to suggest or an article that you'd like to submit for our upcoming issues, please send your information to newsletter@riklanresources.com.
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Publishing Opportunity: 101 Great Ways to Compete in Today's Job Market
 SelfGrowth.com is looking for contributors for our new book, "101 Great Ways to Compete in Today's Job Market."
Would you like to be in our new book?
Briefly, we will incorporate 101 articles or short chapters from 101 experts in success and career-related industries. Each expert will provide one article along the theme of "How to Compete in Today's Job Market."
If you are interested in learning about this project, the process, submitting an article and/or becoming a contributing author for "101 Great Ways to Compete in Today's Job Market," please fill out the form at: http://www.selfgrowth.com/101greatwaysbooksubmission.html
If you have any questions, call us at 732-617-1030, ext 110 or send an email to Kristina@selfgrowth.com
Sincerely,
David Riklan
Founder - SelfGrowth.com
Creator - 101 Great Ways Series
Michelle Riklan, ACRW, CPRW, CEIC
Co-Founder - SelfGrowth.com
Managing Director, Riklan Resources, LLC
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Do you have a career related product or service that you would like to promote in our upcoming newsletters? Contact us at robin@riklanresources.com for more information.
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| About Riklan Resources
Riklan Resources offers the following services:
- Resumes that land on the top of the pile!
- Coaching that puts you ahead of the competition.
- Training that ensures career advancement.
We want you to reach your top potential!
Riklan Resources is now on Facebook. Be sure to stop by and like our page!
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