Articles - Page 126 of 258 - The Voice of Job Seekers

B.S. Incorporated Will Make You Serious About Your Job Search and Career

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Finally, I read a job search and career book with the mission to entertain while making serious points. Much of what NOT to do in your job search and workplace is in the book, B.S. Incorporated. The authors, Jennifer Rock and Michael Voss mix parody and non-fiction to bring us chaos.I would love to know some of your worse work experiences.

Here are three ways to join in on the conversation:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
Send email feedback to [email protected]

BS Incorporated is a satire from the experiences of Jennifer Rock and Micheal Voss. They use fictional characters and company to bring home real flaws in the job search and workplace. Both are authors and consultants (in real life). They have both worked as company journalists, speechwriters, and communication directors.

Here are a few highlights of our conversation:

BS Incorporated is a fictional company spiraling out of control
What is it like to join a company when you don’t know what it’s like on the inside
Jargon and acronyms are often a foreign language
Jennifer shared an onboarding experience where it was completely difference than imagined
Managers will use employees as “life preservers.”
Michael shared how people have responded with more stories for the authors to write part 2
Jennifer shared a story of a job candidate who hurt his/her chances of getting hired
Hiring managers are as unprepared as job candidates
We discussed how biases are a part of the candidate’s and hiring manager’s perception
We discussed the importance of having a conversation during an interview

Do you need job search coaching or instruction?

I am here for it! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top of my page.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Negotiation in Your Workplace, Job Search, and Everywhere Else

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Negotiation is a must have this skill for your job search, workplace, and life. As we dive deeper into the gig economy, each job seeker will accept several roles. Our roles as contractors and entrepreneurs, we must embrace our roles as negotiators. We will need to remain in negotiating mode for the longevity of our careers. To help us embrace this role, Kwame Christian, an attorney will help. He is the host of the American Negotiation Institute and negotiation expert.

If you find negotiating hard, don’t worry, I got you. Feel free to share your negotiating story. You can also share your thoughts about this episode in one of three ways:

I would love to hear your thoughts in one of three ways:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
Send email feedback to [email protected]

Kwame Christian Esq., M.A. is a business attorney with his practice. He also is the host of the American Negotiation Institute podcast. You should listen to this interesting episode where he negotiates for a car. He has won several awards and competitions including the American Bar Association National Competition. He placed as a semifinalist in the competition.

Here are some of the highlights of our discussion:

While contemplating finding a new job, maximize your value at your current job
View each negotiation success as a new floor
Even in a job where you don’t plan to stay long, it is valuable to negotiate for more
Find your unique value proposition
He says, “We don’t get what we deserve, we get what we ask for.”
Kwame mentioned the book Presuasion as a resource
Quote from the book, “People don’t focus on things that are important. People focus on things because they think it’s important.”
Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts?

Do you need coaching or instruction?

I am here for it! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top of my page.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Advice for the Young Career Woman

Photo by: Pixabay.com

Editor’s note: Today’s post is authored by Gloria Martinez. Her bio is at the end of the article.

Today’s job search requires you to keep both hands on the wheel. Any passive approach to finding opportunities fails. It doesn’t work. You must remain engaged throughout your career or face significant challenges shifting gears.

Advice for the Young Career Woman—

Dear strong, intelligent, and independent twenty-something:

You have what it takes to make it to the top. This world, that company, and those business leaders have been waiting for you to walk through the front doors and change everything. You are a woman with all the skill and personality necessary to change the face of business and will conquer all that you set out to accomplish. It will take a little determination and elbow grease, but you will get there because you have the heart and passion for making it happen. There are just a couple of things to keep in mind as you move your mountains: count your gender as a strength, don’t be afraid to take strategic risks, and continuously press forward.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

We live in a time in which women are gaining more attention than ever before, not just in the workplace but the world. Don’t let the stereotypes discourage you; your gender is one of your greatest assets. The fact that you are a woman is a strength for problem solving and business strategizing. It is no surprise that according to a reputable forecast for 2017, there will be a record number of female CEOs leading businesses listed as Fortune 500 companies. Who is to say that you won’t be the next leader on that list? American businesses owned by women who hold at least 51% of the company, actually get unique opportunities and special advantages. So count your gender as a strength, and start that climb to the top of the ladder.

“And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk more.” – Erica Jong

Click To Tweet

What is your dream worth to you? Is it worth long hours, lost sleep, or shed tears? If it is, then it is certainly worth all of the strategic risks, as well. It might be as simple as asking your boss for more responsibility to show them you are willing to handle it. Perhaps you decide to risk it all by giving your two weeks notice at your current office to change careers to the one you’ve always wanted. History is full of women who took a leap of faith and landed at the top of their career. Scarier than the thought of failing, would never be allowing yourself the opportunity to try it at all, and if you happen to fail, you will gain the insight for how to do things differently in the future.

“A common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker

Do not let anyone look down on you because of your gender, your age, your height, or any other quality that speaks loud and clear to who you are. Press forward, and prove your ability by your work ethic. Surprise your boss by your bold, intentional dedication to the company. Set the standard high and become the representation of a model employee. This way, you will eventually earn your seat as a leader in both position and reputation.

When things get challenging, write your favorite motivational quote on a sticky note to leave on your desk. Play an inspirational song on the way to work. Find a way to encourage yourself all the way up that mountain, expecting to make it to the very top. Your career doesn’t have to be limited to the dimness of the lingering so-called “glass ceiling. “Shatter it all together, and make your future as bright as you are.

Ms. Gloria Martinez believes that while women have made many advancements toward “shattering the glass ceiling,” there is still much to be done. It is her aim to help increase the number of women-led businesses by educating others about the topic at womenled.org.