Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

Want A Real Career Lesson? Learn From Don Cornelius

Here’s a career lesson from a place you wouldn’t expect. Many of us who grew up when Soul Train began wanted to emulate all the dances. Some of them were easy to do, other dances took coordination that few of us had.

It was cool. It was more than hip. It was enlightening.

I wanted an afro and bell bottoms. Eventually got the afro, and the bell bottoms, but too late. Mesmerized by Soul Train as a music fan, I don’t know what I was diggin’ more, the dancing and the music, or the culture.

Years later, I have not forgotten the way the show made me feel. Because of muscle memory, I can still do the “bump,” “the robot,” “the washing machine,” “the muscle,” and “the penguin.”

Soul Train has been off the air for several years now, and many of us, black, white, yellow and brown remember what Don Cornelius did during his career. Like Cornelius, we push past the lack of resources, means, and opportunity to achieve success. How we show it varies from person to person, and possibilities of opportunities.

Note what the competition is doing, then smash it with a locomotive

Don Cornelius started an entertainment show that featured stars who pantomime songs while young people dance in 1970. Sounds like “American Bandstand” doesn’t it? Yes the same genre, but Soul Train carved its own niche (also fighting off copycats). What made Soul Train different was the way it shaped culture, the distinct sound of music it showcased (especially the first few years) and how the show commanded the black community’s attention. Career lesson: Time and work should strengthen your product making it yours and original.

Stay on your personal brand track, even when errors in judgment derail it

Cornelius focused with the show’s brand passed up meaningful opportunities such as putting the name Soul Train on the title track of a song written for the show. The song “The Sound of Philadelphia” was one of the biggest songs of the decade. Career lesson: Many job seekers will mis-identify opportunities as good and bad. When you mistakenly miss a good opportunity, don’t be afraid to ask for another opportunity. Yes it’s humbling, but no, there’s no shame.

Train stops to allow others on board, and continues to the next stop

Don Cornelius stopped hosting the show in the late ‘90’s mostly as a business decision for the show continue to appeal to young adults. Career lesson: For many job seekers, allowing others to take over is not a choice. For many people it is the beginning of new opportunities, and a chance to have more control of the future. Experience never goes to waste as it becomes a part of character.

The same reason Soul Train is remembered, is the way older job seekers can stand out: People can recall how you make them feel, and make them change what they do. Soul Train changed what we did on Saturday afternoon, how we danced, and how the music changed our lives. Job seekers who exhibit changes in process, people, and technology successfully will impact the way co-workers do and forge forward.

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

Inclusion: Jobseekers Can Stand Out By Change Of Name

This is Black History Month on the calendar, yet I like to think of this as “Diversity and Inclusion Month.” Because it is the “…content of character…” that is most relevant today, and not by name or label, or change of ethnic name, but by character.

Diversity and inclusion is a fight that is as real as the “Thrilla in Manila.” In the “land of the free…” more than a few Americans are still slave to indifference to ethnic names. There are employers that respond indifferently to non-traditional names, and still slight candidates as a result.

I have addressed this before,

I have a diverse set of clients in the past three years who came to me because their strategies were not working. Out of the changes we made to their resume and interview style, we used two simple strategies to apply for jobs and on his or her resume:

Modify the name on the resume (ex. from “Latoya” to “Lynn”, “Miguel” to “Michael”)

Remove the address and zip (area can determine culture or color)

Remove social, political, or service organizations that traditionally are one race

Any cultural identifiable associations with sports (once remove a client’s college tournament “Sweet 16” appearance)

Race Matters in Hiring, No Matter How Nice The Cheshire Cat Grins, posted December 5.

Discrimination is still an issue, if not for color, gender, religion, body weight, affiliation, or stereotype, you have been a victim of profiling of some kind. If diversity isn’t enough, the real challenge is with inclusion.

In an article from Time magazine in 1960, Miriam Makeba, a world-renowned African singer was asked to give her real and full name.

Zenzile Makeba Qgwashu Nguvama Yiketheli Nxgowa Bantana Balomzi Xa Ufun Ubajabulisa Ubaphekcli Mbiza Yotshwala Sithi Xa Saku Qgiba Ukutja Sithathe Izitsha Sizi Kkabe Singama Lawu Singama Qgwashu Singama Nqamla Nqgithi.

http://ideas.time.com/letters/whats-in-a-name/?iid=op-category-notable#ixzz1kiDIyeJe

Originally printed February 29, 1960, Time Magazine

That is 189 characters, and thirty names.

Can you imagine announcing her at the beginning of a concert performance? If you were an employer, would you disqualify this person based on her name?

Now back to changing ethnic names. After five years, people reject Barack Obama’s citizenship based on name despite his the proof of his authentic Birth Certificate. It’s a shame. After four years, there are people who are convinced that his birth certificate is a lie because of his name.

Here are some take-a-ways that I hope everyone remembers:

1. Your name does not brand you

Regardless of your name accomplishments, contributions, and solutions brand you. If changing your name will help, then change it.

2. Take pride in your name, and take greater pride in what you offer

The more you understand the value of what you fix, the better you can position your career to employers. It’s not a quadratic formula, it’s addition and subtraction. It is just getting complicated by the order of operation.

3. Don’t be afraid to modify, adjust, and re-position how you appear to employers

Although not everyone has to change, but if you want to change your name or brand, is to take control of your online presence. I have several suggestions:

I have a friend who successfully change her ethnic first name and use her second name, also used in her online profiles and family. I suggest Google Plus as a way for job seekers to get their name out in the Googlesphere to be found by recruiters and potential employers. Google Plus content on profiles index are expedited, and can crush your competition if prominent enough.
Network with your new name and brand as if it has always been. Remain consistent in all communication, and let others know how to find you, and what you offer. Even when you re-label skills, it should be clear that the function is the same but the name is different.
There’s nothing with changing your Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In accounts too. Tell your family and friends ahead of time why you are changing your name. It will make sense to them if you tell them the story.

Do you have a story of ethnic challenges? Please share of how you have overcome, or still dealing with race and diversity. What obstacles did you leap over to get hired?

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Career Advice I Will Not Follow From Observing Politicians

Politics is an inflammatory subject that people take personally. But more often than not, politics is the lot for career advice. Americans in general take criticism of their favorite candidate seriously. I watch the debates, speeches, and commentaries and as it has reinforced what not to do in the job search. One thing that stands out to me is that you can turn people on and off without having a conversation.

Networking: Your hands say what your mouth won’t make clear

Despite what we believe on the political elections, we learned this week that your hands speak a language of its own, and those excluded from the conversation will interpret it any way we want. Hand gestures are easy to mis-interpret, thus terminating your employment candidacy. Hand gestures are not wrong, but undisciplined movement can fail efforts to communicate well. An article in Forbes in 2006 confirms,

“Use hand gestures for emphasis…”

and that,

“You’re not a cheerleader, and you don’t want to fidget unconsciously. This is why it’s important to practice before a mirror.”

The startling image of Jan Brewer pointing at President Obama thrilled some, and angered others, depending who you champion. If no one has coached your hand gestures through Toastmasters or Theater, then you may not know what non-verbal messages you’re sending. If second and third interviews are rare, consider getting some coaching, especially if your hand movements are family entertainment.

Interviews: Mean what you say, and show what you mean

The whole tax return controversy with Gingrich and Romney is a great lesson in sending clear messages. If what you show people is different from what you said, it is hard to retain credibility (assuming you earned it to begin with). This is a common issue with job seekers who are able to get interviews, but no call backs. A frequent anomaly is stating on your résumé a certain type of experience, but unclear in displaying through accomplishments and results the skills needed to perform the job.

It shows up in your writing, too. You are just the last one to know.

Job search: The first candidate is not always the best job candidate

CNN reported right after the South Carolina Republican primary, that Romney had spent over million dollars in Florida primary ads before the other candidates spent money. We don’t know the outcome of the Florida primary, and neither do you when you race to be the first to apply for job. When employers announce an opening, most job seekers race to apply. That is old thinking as employers have many choices, and will wait until they have a pool of candidates. For me to say that this is recent is wrong because it has been that way for years. That is why, you apply when you have established and determined that the package you offer is your best.