So I’m drinking the Kool-Aid.

Taking the whole pitcher to the head. Some of you know that I started a new job a while back. So far I am really enjoying it. They have actually been exactly what they said they would be. Not only in the function I perform, but also the autonomy and control I have in making stuff happen. I am working with some great people, downloading and sifting information from the current executives. So far, they seem to be open and ready for what programs I’m building. That does not mean there are no challenges.

Survival versus Sustainability

On that note, I also have a lot of responsibility to perform. In my 8+ month job search I thought a lot about exactly how long it would be before I would be forced to break down and just accept or go for “anything that came along.” It is a tough decision for anyone to make. In this market one that many have never experienced or quite know how to approach, the typical thought around “I will try and see what happens” just isn’t practical. This approach, as many of us have found, does not do a company justice nor does it do us any favors. But we search for hope. We do all this work to look attractive and get a position we believe will be great for us, without often thinking if it is good for all parties involved. These approaches cause us to be locked in a survival mode rather than sustaining mode. In my mind…

• A Survival mode pushes us anywhere. Gets us to do anything in order to survive. It justifies any approach and or thinking that we are owed something. Often it can make us place blame. That blame being justified or not.
• A Sustaining mode, I believe, makes us think more about the long term and how it affects those around us. It weighs our selfish needs against what is reality and often makes us think more about all parties involved (from our family and colleagues to even, in the job search, the company or agency we would like to represent). Sustaining mode is not easy. It forces us into the hard farming mentality versus hunting for the now.

For those in any mode there is always help. In the form of network groups, job search chats, support groups, etc. Yet many people don’t take advantage of them. It takes practice to build routine. It takes consistency. Many have practiced the same routine over and over. Now they need a change.

It’s not all double rainbows

I was fortunate enough to obtain the role I have. The team is excited. My boss is excited which is what helps contribute to my own excitement and confidence. And I would tell you myself, I need a lot of confidence!

With everything going well in this still short time frame, we still have challenges. Changes, the industry, and current economic uncertainty keeps people on edge. I could be excited but at the same time my excitement can also be viewed as being smug or egotistical. In that I have to be careful and empathetic.

Also who knows what could happen. I could be back where I was. Looking once again. You hope but you plan as well. Right now I have Engagement but that is not the same thing as Job Security.

I think your ability to be polished and have the abilities to interview and not only look like a strong candidate but be a strong candidate is one benefit… the actual ability and capabilities to perform within a role you obtain is an entirely different story. I believe this is why I waited and didn’t just accept any role no matter how attractive or unattractive.

Not all of us can wait for the right role, but all of us can be patient about how we approach our direction.

So what about you. Are you engaged in your role (no matter how long you have been there)? What is keeping you from being patient?

and now our moment of zen:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jXz7NrfzsI&feature=player_embedded

It is hard for anyone to use you as a resource if you, yourself, are not a good resource. If you can’t offer an original idea what makes you different?

Why would I come to you for information, for guidance, for direction on anything when I could search for it on Bing, Google, head over to my next door neighbor, a colleague, a current association or neighboring cube for the same information. In fact, doing so in those places may be easier.

But if people come to ask you for information on a consistent basis… you may have some original thoughts around your approach, industry and practice then most. You may just offer… IT… better!

It’s not always because it’s easier for them to come to you… often it’s because what you have to offer is better!

Are you better? What do you think about this?

I presented at an event yesterday, No Job Now What, that was sponsored by a local Job Search Focus Group and WCPO Channel 9. I discussed the topic of “Networking.” Now while this is something that many people have opinions on, I presented from my own perspective and what I have learned from tried and true methods.

A few people throughout the day had some perceptions about networking while also being in “transition.” Some had no idea how to create a network from scratch, while others did not know how to approach their current network and friends as a result of the comfort level of being unemployed. One comment was…

“So you think it is worth joining various groups like a job search group? I just don’t see the point with most of them being unemployed and talking mostly about how long they have been out of work..”

First of all shr said “most of them” which assumes that she is in a somewhat different class of being out of work rather then other people who are unemployed! Does that even make sense?

My response to her was … “How do you know that’s what they talk about… have you ever attended?”
Her response “well no I haven’t but…”
Me… “No… How do you know? You don’t, because how would you know what they talk about if you never attended. If you never tried…”

Too many people assume what goes on. They make assumptions about people and groups without being a part of them.

Here are some points we discussed in the session:

1. Mistakes people make
2. Do a self assessment: Why are you networking
3. Be remembered
4. Be Strategic
5. Be Human: You’re not on an elevator
6. Be Noticed
7. Be considered the expert
8. Have Focus for where you are unique in your field
9. Be Authentic
10. Be Honest
11. Update your core network: Let them know how you are doing and ask them how they are too!

I have included my slides and a video story from WCPO on my own search when I was looking for a job. Hope you enjoy.

Note on the video: I think it is funny how those reporting sound so amazed that companies are posting positions on social network sites. IT’S AMAZING>>>!! In my interview we talked about A LOT of stuff and the social media piece is all they ended up focusing on. (My search was not as simple as it sounds but it’s all good)!

(Click to view WCPO story for Reader)

Treatment versus Perception

I got sucked into a conversation. It was around an associates belief that ‘companies’ don’t treat people well. This kind of made me think and wonder. Wonder because it came out of the blue. It also made me wonder because it was such a broad and sweeping statement with no real specifics. Being a representative of OE and HR I treaded lightly. I swallowed and asked “Why do you feel that way?” Fearfully waiting for the answer and trying not to rebut or question their response.

The Statement

“I haven’t received a raise in over 3 yrs.” They started to go on a little deeper into the subject. Knowing we were in public and others could view the conversation differently I made the comment “Let’s get into the details a little later.” Another person came in and said, “Only 3 in 8 years… and why am I still there…?”

That is a good question. I thought “Then why are you still there? If you don’t like the way you are “being treated” in the form of compensation and what you view as an adequate increase and/or wage, then you should leave right?” But of course I didn’t say anything. After that last comment no one went any further.

The reality about compensation for the now

No one wants to question or complain too much to their supervisors because they know there is nothing much to be done. There is also that fear and thought “I better be thankful for a job.” Which has never been a thought I have agreed with for other reasons outside of the compensation debate.

Of course you can ask for a raise and do it in a way that you may receive it (“10 Tips for getting a raise in a recession” CNN.com). I am all for cost of living wages. Especially if a company is doing well regardless of economic times. I am all for performance based pay. Even more selfishly (in the galactic playground of insanity that is my mind) I’m for a raise in any case because we all would like more money whether or not we deserve it, performance based or otherwise. However, I am also a realist. No matter how much we would like to have a raise, the reality is that not all of us will get one.

Just realize that you can leave if you don’t like it. You could also find yourself at a new company with a not so new situation: No increases.

I am about to seem harsh

Yes you may feel like you are not treated well by a company because you have not received a raise. You have the right to that opinion. The real question is: Are you being treated badly because you haven’t received a raise?

Here’s the thing, many people have not received increases, This is sad. However, the world doesn’t revolve around you. Get over yourself. If you don’t like this, look elsewhere… or become a CEO. Good luck either way!

How do you feel about this subject?

Disclaimer: I am not an expert in compensation. I would love to receive raises every year and feel that many people do deserve them. Then again, you have to make sense of your perceptions about treatment, your own contribution, and the realities of the market. Just feeling like you are OWED a raise, is not the same as EARNING/DESERVING as raise.