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Does Marriage Add Value to Your Career

Marriage makes us better. Two is better than one. Spouses (at least wives) add value to character, life, and value to your career. My wife makes the difference in my work world. She can’t tell me how to do it, but she is aware of my strengths. Somehow, it translates to my abilities. Amazing.

We acknowledge this as a solid business practice.

The forward pass is nothing. It takes two.

The song, “It Takes Two” by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston would mean nothing if it were only Marvin or Kim.

When it comes to the value of your career, does your spouse or partner complete you at work? Does he or she inspire you? Do you work hard or him or her?

If you do, how romantic?

If you don’t, I think that’s OK.

Your Spouse, the Value Creator

Unemployment exploits the best and worse of our character, marriage, and jobs. On this blog, we like to think the best, and add value to your career. I have talked about being transparent before, but the invaluable attribute that transparency bring is that your spouse sees the true you. More often than not, those words are truthful, painful, and sometimes delightful.

Couples that sustain long and happy unions find healing from wisdom lost beneath the screeching or booming delivery. Does our quiet spouse have wisdom behind their banter, or did we marry them to neglect?

Read: 9 Reasons Your Spouse Lost Their Mind When You Lost Your Job

It Takes More Than Finishing Sentences to add Value to Your Career

I giggle each time a couple talk about their compatibility. My wife used to say when we were single that she was perfect for me because she fits right under my arm pit. The common phrase is, “he/she finishes my sentences.” Although silly and cute for that moment, not that it lacks meaning, but I’ve had coworkers that finished my sentences. Maybe I am that obtuse, or spouses know one another. Your sweet-baby-sugar, your boo, can see things that resume writers and career coaches don’t see.

Read: Going From Significant Other to Jobless Other, and More unnecessary Un-Motivational Jabs

Let’s Face It, You’ve Heard It For Years

Your spouse tells you what other people told you. You’re selfish, greedy, angry, insensitive, chauvinistic, self-absorbed, and inconsiderate. All of what employers can’t stand either. My premise that marriage does add value to a career is…well…old-fashion. Did past supervisors in the past tell you that you work too independently? That you take criticism too personally? Shortcomings appear and re-appear in different ways.

Your spouse was trying to help, even in his or her twisted and the self-absorbed way.

For better or worse, richer or poor, your spouse increases your value a whole bunch once you see through lifted toilet seats, and smudged make-up. No telling, they might help you impress somebody influential.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

The Bert and Ernie Job seeker Lesson

Why should the job seeker care? There is much to be said about the job seeker who creates value beyond the workplace.

It might be a slow news cycle that we cared that Facebook is running a campaign for Bert and Ernie marrying–assuming that they’re gay. It doesn’t matter if they’re hermaphrodites, they are role models for the generations.

Never arrested for anything, nor at fault for break-ups.

No drug arrests, no loitering.

Nothing.

Yet, their role in our children’s education is priceless. We’re not exactly sure if they get paid or not for teaching our children letters, words, or not. I will say that they have one of the most important volunteer jobs in America.

From what I could find, they have talked about their roles one time in 10 years, maybe longer.

Newsweek interviewed them in 2002, asking about what they do:

Why did you decide to make a movie?

ERNIE: We were just playing around with words, and somehow it ended up on tape.

BERT: Bootleg, I think.

But why are words so important?

B: We need words to sing and to write and to talk on the phone. Without words we’d all have to get jobs as mimes.

E: And NEWSWEEK would be blank.

(BERT AND ERNIE. Newsweek, 00289604, 7/8/2002, Vol. 140, Issue 2)

No matter the premise, Bert and Ernie will be remembered for their contributions, and the value they have delivered to several generations.

Jobseekers must focus on offering value in every phase of the job search, to be invaluable and memorable. Think of what is unique to you, and promote it to your network and potential employers.

Don’t ever believe that you will fairly be compensated for what you do. If your achievements and accomplishes have a price, like unrequited love, satisfaction will remain unachieved.

Value is priceless.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Book Review: Cracking the New Job Market, R. William Holland + Book Giveaway

Bill Holland, the author of The 7 Rules for Getting Hired in Any Economy: Cracking the New Job Market, preferred to teach the choir, than “preach to the choir.” Job search education is forefront of Mr. Holland’s book applies to all of the job search communities and segments, especially to the white-collar worker. He promotes the notion that in the age of the supposed “hidden job market,” people are likely to focus on finding the secret jobs than to create and unearth their professional value. I will also give away a copy of this book FREE, as my review copy was FREE. I assure you, that I was not compensated for this review.

This practical book is essential to job seekers who have challenges in creating value, and demonstrating professional acumen through their resumes, interviews, and business networks. It is not full of resume and cover letter templates. Mr. Holland reasons that a strong resume and cover letter is not about you, but more about what the employer wants.

Mr. Holland presents a compelling case for 7 useful and dogmatic strategies:

Rule #1: Always Demonstrate Value. At the heart of what resumes should be about, Mr. Holland explains that the successful resume includes what “The value the hiring organization is looking to have created.” It’s a powerful statement since many job seekers look for the quick fix, and do not cultivate worth from their personal well of professional accomplishments.

Rule #2: Your Resume: It’s About the Value You Create. In this chapter, Mr. Holland not only shows how to “infuse your experience with value”, and explains how that selecting key statements accrue the attention of a potential employer. On his website, he states that he can provide courses contingent on the feedback he receives.

Rule #3: Use Social Media and Other Sites for Job Leads. In tackling the hot issue of “hidden job market”, he states that the “job market is not so much hidden as it is splintered.” He suggests that no longer job boards and Sunday classified ads monopolize job announcements. Social networking sites are one of the best places to discover opportunities, and build relationships that can lead to key information about employers and available positions. One of the few snags in this book is the broad overview of Social Media tools and services. Holland discusses Linked In, Twitter, and Facebook, but in general.

Rule #4: Interviews: They’re About the Value You Demonstrate. Throughout the book, the emphasis of “value creation” remains consistent and urgent. Infusing value throughout an interview remains a challenge of many job seekers, not only on resumes and interviews, but also pre and post-interviews. He discusses interview attire, references, thank-you letters, and follow-up which ha an impact on employers.

Rule#5: You Get What You Negotiate, Not What You Deserve. Holland inserts that successful negotiation takes preparation that starts when you realize that you have to find another job. He has provided 7 rules for skillful negotiation that will help a job seeker land the desired salary and benefit package.

Rule #6: Career Choice is More Than Following Your Passion. Holland states that passion can be an overrated determiner, “Those who look at career success solely through the prism of their passion can be in for a long and frustrating experience.” My takeaway from this considers the work I want to do, and the lifestyle I wish to create for myself is a part of the negotiation components. Holland provides a chart that helps to sort out what is beneficial to you during the negotiation period.

Rule #7: The Best Way to Reenter the Job Market Is to Never Leave It. Holland reminds us that going back to school, volunteer work, and temporary work are options to remain in the job market. This is also part of the value creation strategy that is re-emphasized through the book by not allowing “…your career-related activities to lapse… .”

After reading the book, I felt as Holland has achieved the need for job seekers remain competitive in the job search. One of his strongest premises is the notion of the nonexistence of the “Hidden Job Market.” Having worked with clients that heard the term, it scared them; however, Holland supports the premise through connecting value creation with sustaining an enduring personal brand that attracts employers.

As stated earlier, one of the few snags in the book was the lack of depth of Rule #3 on social media. I felt it was a genuine attempt, and the mentions were accurate. At the same time, Social Media is also about blogging, and learning to use it effectively. It is hard to talk about personal branding these days without embracing the full scope of tools or possibilities.

I recommend this book because of the key straight forward strategies offered could be used immediately. The importance of ready-to-use strategies is crucial to everyone. He aptly puts the responsibility in the hands of the job seeker by emphasizing their own personal and professional value. Cheers to a book that is relevant, and significant, that helps job seekers everywhere to envision their worth.

NOW, about the give away

This is how you can get a copy of this book:

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I hope to post the interview with Mr. Holland within the next two weeks. Please stay tuned by subscribing via RSS or email.