Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

10 Attributes of a Powerful Personal Branded Career Voice

All of us have a voice, a brand, and a signature. We leave it everywhere we go, and it is reflected in everything we do.

The patterns we’ve developed, the way that we speak to friends and family, and whether we’re timely or not in part defines us. I leave kitchen cabinets open frequently, so my wife can tell if either my sons or I were there. We have ways of leaving our personal stamp.

Your voice has a similar effect. It is not always a physical voice, but it is one that resonates in a way that people either relate to or reject. Employers will relate to your career voice not just because it experienced, but it fulfills the voice that is missing from their team. Spewing numbers and relaying figures have its place, but how it makes them feel is more important for long term needs.

Your career voice has elements that cannot be taught or trained. As I said in episode 26 of the podcast, employers cannot train or serve up great personalities. They hire people who epitomize those attributes on the first, when he or she as the new employee walks in the door as I suggest in the following:

1. Confidence

You speak as if you’ve done, seen it, and can do it time and time again. You don’t have to say you have 15 years of experience. Your accomplishments reflect that already.

2. Failure was a stepping stone

You see as an opportunity, not an impediment. There is an element of faith in navigating the fires and seeing through the smoke that helps others get on board with you.

3. Your thoughts are your own

You can be confident but also speak quotes from people you read, memorize, and recite whenever there is a moment to perform. Not you. You have internalized your experience into practical advice, experience to learn from, and willing to serve without fanfare.

4. There is nothing fake about your self-deprecating humor

You are comfortable in sharing an honest view about your personal short-comings. There is something endearing about self-deprecating humor.
5. Tactful though you disagree

This is a double bonus when you can disagree with a tempered calm voice. You are trying to offer a correct and balance perspective than focusing on the wrong. You know that the information, but not the person is a problem at first.

6. You respect everyone

This works well for you because it is your heart and not a technique read in a book. It is true that it can be taught, but it is a part of your voice already. It is a rare quality that ensures respect in return.

7. You practice what you preach

When others hear you talk, though they may differ, know that what you say is reflected in your walk. It breeds trust from others and inspires collaboration.

8. Consistent and a constant positive message

Others you network with can count on you sharing resources that will help you. If its hard to be positive, you need to change your thinking, and not necessarily change your position. A low place plus humility produces many positive thoughts and ideas to help…someone else.

9. Empathy

You’ve walked in the shoes of others who are struggling and become the voice of reason. When people are frustrated, it is you who can channel and voice people’s concerns. In a company big on customer service, you are an asset to their business.

10. Your voice calms the storms

Your voice is the one that disarms anxiousness and offers people temperance. In fast paced workplace environments this becomes a key attribute especially when it comes to diffusing the bomb before it goes off, you are the go-to-person. You understand people’s fears and tears, and you can foresee people related issues sometimes before they arise. You understand the power of reasoning in helping others gain perspective.

These 10 signs are things that come with your package upon delivery. It may not have a tracking number, nor a table of contents, but it is branded and clearly yours. As the employer unwraps your career package and recognizes your career voice, what do they feel upon hearing it?

What does your career voice say about you?

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Job Seekers, This is How You Compromise Your Value

Most of us, employed, unemployed, or under appreciated feels underpaid. A good portion of America is underemployed and not using our true talents. Many of us are swindled out of the value we bring to our employers and at times, talked out of our value. We are conned, and fooled with by a savvy and smooth talking boss or potential employer that says that changes are coming.

Although the art of negotiating is a shifting and fluid craft few of us learn and master, we fail to communicate our true value. It happens in dating and marriage, friendships, networking, contracts, and everywhere else. This happens daily somewhere in the world at performance reviews. By the end of this article, consider the quality time you’ll need to avoid such the very of your worth if nothing else for your future.

I ran across an old comedy routine from many years ago by Abbott and Costello called “Payday.” This is a perfect example of the ways that people often are de-valued. Let’s be clear: If you know and understand your value, then it is unlikely you will allow someone to talk you out of your value no matter how much power someone holds.

As part of Abbott and Costello’s shtick, Costello is the one that plays the excitable, vulnerable straight man who is always out of sorts through the confusion and at times, a little gullible. Abbott is the straight talking mastermind of the two who is quick on his feet and mostly his mouth. Depending on the version of “PayDay” you see or read, the better in my opinion is when Costello works for Abbott for one dollar a day.

Costello says, “I Quit” knows and remember the terms of his hiring, but for him, that ends his ability to gain ground and get the money he deserves. This is where we learn how we go wrong in standing our ground. If you want to see an adaptation of the original sketch, then check it out here.

1) Make sure that you are wrong

Lou Costello: I’m working for you, and you owe me a whole year’s salary!

Bud Abbott: Wait a minute …

Lou Costello: 365 days, 365 dollars, you owe me a dollar a day.

Bud Abbott: Wait a minute, let’s straighten this out.

Lou Costello: Pay me up!

Abbott doesn’t agree with the terms, but he just agrees that there are 365 days in a year. Although Costello maybe right, he is too much of a hurry to listen and slow down. Abbott says he wants to “straighten this out,”but the way he wants to settle is not in Costello’s favor. You must communicate in a way that forces people to listen, which may mean to lower your voice, not raise it.

In addition, using incendiary language only fuels confusion and emotion, not bridge the gap. When Costello says, “Pay me up,” this only makes Abbott respond defensively. It is one of the last things you want. But, we want to inflame the person and the issue, and forgo any value maintained. So far, so good!

The best way to compromise your value is to focus solely on money.
2) Be emotional, confused, and unfocused

Bud Abbott: You say you worked 365 days for me, and you want to be reimbursed.

Lou Costello: Look, I don’t want to burst anything! Just give me my money, 365 bucks, I’ll get out.

Bud Abbott: Okay, look, now don’t get excited, take it easy. Now, listen. How many hours a day did you work?

Lou Costello: Eight hours a day.

Bud Abbott: And how many hours are there in a day?

Lou Costello: Look, now Abbott, don’t try to put anything over on me. There’s 24 hours in a day, all but February, which has 28.

Bud Abbott: You’re absolutely right, there are 24 hours in a day. But by working 8 hours you only really worked one-third of each day, isn’t that right?

Lou Costello: That’s according to the way you figure it.

Abbott convinced him that in a subtle and slick way that he was getting paid one dollar for 24 hour work day instead of eight. Costello was too excitable, which is perfect, because excitable people overlook the smaller logical things to get results.

Of course, you can be confused about what you deliver. Nothing said about the work you do. No valuable project to point to as an accomplishment. Only that you worked a lot of days. What a shame! You seal the deal by letting someone else figure your value for you to which Costello surrenders to Abbott’s thinking, “That’s according to the way you figure it.”

3) Only you should win, and get what you want

Bud Abbott: Well, one-third of 365 is about 121 dollars. So you only actually have 121 dollars coming to you. That’s the way I reckon it

Lou Costello: You sure are wreckin’ it! Come on, give it up, give me the dough.

Bud Abbott: Well, you did have 121 dollars coming, but …

Lou Costello: I knew there was a but in it.

Bud Abbott: But you didn’t work Sundays, did you?

Lou Costello: No, I had to take a day off to wash my lingerie!

Bud Abbott: All right, there are 52 Sundays in a year, deduct 52 from 121 dollars which leaves 69 dollars coming to you.

Lou Costello: You’re sure of that?

Bud Abbott: Positive!

Lou Costello: You see, I don’t want you to cheat yourself.

Bud Abbott: Now, that’s mighty nice of you, to look out for my interests.

If your boss is a fast talker like Abbott, and you are often a victim of his banter, then you know that his logic will have twists and curves to confuse you. It’s not that you didn’t anticipate problems by getting it all in writing, but by not preparing for his forgetfulness, you lose.

My first apartment that I rented had a lease and regulations in renting the apartment, but I was to receive the last month free. Since it was not a part of my lease, I had to pay the last month’s rent. I didn’t anticipate them potentially losing the lease or at least including my last month free.

Only if Abbott and Costello documented his wants in writing at the beginning. If you want frustration and to lose value to your employer, don’t put anything in writing.

4) Like Stevie Wonder said once, “You Haven’t Done Nothing!”

Bud Abbott: All right, I’ll be glad to give you the 69 dollars, but …

Lou Costello: Hold on to your hats, here we go again! Look, Abbott, give me a couple of dollars. How’s that?

Bud Abbott: Well, you must admit you only worked a half a day on Saturday, isn’t that right, partner?

Lou Costello: Partner! Now that I’m losing money, I’m a partner! Look, will you give me a dollar? I’ll settle … give me a half a buck.

Bud Abbott: Now wait a minute! Wait a minute, just a second. Just a minute, now where was I?

Lou Costello: You just had a toehold on my 69 dollars.

Bud Abbott: Oh yes, yes. A half a day on Saturdays, 52 Saturdays in a year, one half of 52 is 26, so you will deduct 26 from 69, leaving you the sum of 43 dollars.

Don’t bother talking about what you have accomplished. Your boss will not address the good or bad in your work. Costello at this point is just trying to get something before leaving without mentioning the work he’s done. If you want a measurement of your career, look at what you measured. That is what it means to you, and your employer gets it before you do.

5) You’ll “settle “

In the same segment above, Costello has given up, just like you do.

Ha! You fall for the trap of settling for anything. No research, no due diligence, no other conversations that will help you gain perspective on whom you are and what you deliver. Is it laziness? Maybe. Neglect? Maybe. It’s very hard work to understand what the boss will say, or your business partner, or anyone else. You’ll settle.

Is it that easy for you to be talked out of your value? You don’t take steps forward by not “wanting to be bothered!” Protect your value and want you offer as much effort as your life.

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

How to Identify and Create Your Career Voice

Many job seekers lack a voice in his or her job search for many reasons. Whether he or she lacks confidence, or afraid of rejection, employers will not hire a person who lacks an identity. This is not your voice box or your vocal chord. This is your identity.

Your resume will lack a target, results, and accomplishments without it. Your interviews will not unveil any true depth of knowledge or competency. Your network will not know the opportunities you want.

Most people write their resumes, or respond to interview questions without their own voice. Yes, you can read many articles, and listen to a lot of advice, but without your unique voice, it’s hard to get hired.

That is why you must create your voice. The one in the making for many years.

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There are several things needed for this creation, and keep in mind, we are not talking about a physical voice…yet:

1) Patience

It takes time to create a voice for your job search and your career journey. Whatever that distinct message that comes from you will have a pattern that evolves from experiences molded from your victories, trials, and travels to and from the unknown.

2) Knowing your range

We don’t know our limits, but we understand our skill set limitations. Just think of singing voices and each person has a different range. Mick Jagger didn’t have to have Jackie Wilson’s voice to be successful, but he had to be the best Mick Jagger possible.

Your voice must be distinct in order to accomplish your career goals.

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3) Your voice is in everything you do

I read and re-write resumes that have no voice. The person has obviously either 1) have regulated him or herself to the job descriptions given to them over the years or 2) he or she wrote whatever another person dictated. That’s why you may be the one whose resume sounds like small booklet of clichés:

” A dynamic and enthusiastic engineer with a proven track record…”

“An excellent and proactive change agent…”

“A proven leader who is an authority…”

If you want to be remembered, you must be identifiable and stand out:

“Thrived as a roll-up-my-sleeves, hands muddied, but conscientious floor supervisor who would rather show than tell.”

Do you think this guy stood out from the crowd? You bet he did.

4) What you don’t say

Your actions say so much more than what your physical voice does. Your online reputation is a great example of how your voice is everything you do. You don’t have to remind people of who you are and what you represent. It is reflected in the search results.

5) Choice of words

Using words and phrases that use profane or caustic language tell a lot about people. If you constantly offend or alienate others by your words, then that is whom you are. The proverb, “What a man thinketh, so is he” comes from the same moral and philosophical place our choices originate. If you want to change the results and the repercussions of your words, you have to change your thinking.

If you fail to create a voice for your job search and your life, it will be difficult to enhance the quality of your career journey. Do you have a career voice? What do you want it sound like? If you need help, let me know.

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