So excited about all of our changes! Congruity Career Consulting is now The Bauke Group. Our goal? A Career Happy Nation…and we hope you will become a citizen! My definition of Career Happiness is this:
Doing what you are good at/ great at, that is also what you like or love to do, that someone will pay you to do in a place that you can be successful. Sounds easy, huh? Yes, it is wildly subjective and each of us has a very different definition. On top of that, you may have it all one day, but a new boss starts and all of a sudden, career happy is career wildly unhappy. That’s where most of us get stuck-we have no idea how to assess where we are, how we got there, or what to do next. So we decide to be career unhappy. Yeah I know, no one ever says ”I think I will be career unhappy!” But by not acting to change your situation, you really are making a decision aren’t you?
We define Career Happiness in three stages- looking to Define It, Get It or Own It. You probably fall into one of those three. We want to give you the tools, the knowledge and the kick in the seat of the pants when you need it to find your Career Happiness. Check out our new Facebook community at www.facebook.com/thebaukegroup.
We’re starting a Career Happy Revolution. Wanna join us?
When is the “small stuff” not so small? I can think of a lot of times, but job search is on my mind today. It never ceases to amaze me the seemingly zillions of ways people screw up their job searches. Know this: When there are several seemingly qualified candidates for a job, the hiring manager or screener is looking for reasons to “thin the herd” to a reasonable number. Don’t give ‘em one.
Think of it this way. When you are applying for a job, it is expected that you are putting your best foot forward. When you make avoidable mistakes, you are demonstrating behaviors that an employer may draw conclusions about. For example, if you are not careful about detail and following directions in the application process, will you show the same lack of care in your work? Even if the answer is no, it is a fair question.
Here are some common- and so very avoidable- details you must sweat.
Follow the D^%* Directions! Maybe you can tell by my use of symbols how frustrating this one is? My friend Patsy was hiring and received over 200 responses. In her posting, she asked that a cover letter be included. Out of 200 responses, 95 did not include a cover letter. Really?
Pay Attention to Detail It’s called spellcheck for a reason, people. There is no reason for misspellings. None. Of the 95 remaining applicants, 25 were eliminated due to typos.
Don’t Think the Phone Interview is a Formality. Hey, that’s why it’s called an interview! Dogs barking, horns honking, kids yelling, radio on, you answering email during the call, the sounds of toilets flushing are all common noises heard during phone interviews. Would any of those noises be okay during an in- person interview? Of course not. If you can’t give 100% of your attention to your interviewer, find a time when you can, or just go to a different locale.
It’s Not All About You! Show genuine interest in learning about the position. Out of the 70 remaining applicants, Patsy conducted 12 phone interviews of people who were qualified on paper, and only found two that were worth bringing in for further discussion. A few had clearly exaggerated their qualifications, and that became obvious during the call. But several blew their chance by starting the call with their demands around pay and benefits. She said a couple people didn’t ask one question about the job, but were very open with their dissatisfaction about their current job. Out of 200 applicants, she found two that were truly a fit, given all considerations and criteria. Wow.
Watch for Part Two… and the small stuff that can screw you up on the day of your in-person interview.
Finish this sentence “My #1 goal as Executive Director of the UC Alumni Association is….” To engage and interact with “all” of our alumni throughout the world on behalf of the University of Cincinnati!! This include loyal friends of UC as well!
In your role, you must get some really rockin’ tickets to athletic and other events. Do you also get free popcorn? Every now and then I’m allowed to attend some things and share a bag of popcorn with few people but getting something to drink is another story!
I consider you a friend, but let’s be honest. You’re a really big guy. You could crush me. In the book, “Tales from Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball”, your former teammate Roger McClendon said this about you “He was our protector. He was the father figure, the bigbrother. … You know how some people could get in the ring, like Muhammad Ali, and punish a guy, but then off the floor, he’s kissing babies? Myron had that split personality.” I have personally only seen that “baby kisser” side of you. Where are you hiding “The Punisher”? That side comes out from time to time and it might start to come out a little more in the near future – so be prepared!
Who has been your most significant mentor in your career and why? Honestly, I can’t say it’s been one person. I’ve been mentored by committee. I’ve surrounded myself by many different people that I talk to and ask for guidance, and they have helped me throughout the different stages of my professional and personal life.
My inquiring mind wants to know: how many articles of black & red apparel do you own? (please include the ones you lifted from the UC bookstore when you thought no one was looking). Actually, I don’t own too much red & black apparel because all the cool stuff is meant for slim people! Where is the love for the big guy who wants to rock the cool stuff!!?
Good point, Myron. Who wants to make some Big & Tall UC wear for the Big Guy?He might share his popcorn with you!
When was the last time you thought about your career in a really productive way? And I’m not talking about the “I gotta get out of here” stuff that we all go through. I’m talking about when you really ask yourselves the hard questions, or you get info, advice, or new ways of thinking that will help you manage your career more effectivelty and happily. Are you overwhelmed yet? I thought so. My theory is that because these are such big-a** questions, we put them off till later, and yep, later never comes.
So what if you took time out, or pit stops, every once in awhile as you drive down the path of your career and our life? Use whatever analogy works for you- a rest stop, a spa visit, time to learn, etc.
We will offer these free “pit stops” about twice a month so you can take a bite at a time out of that big career elephant that is looming in the corner. You know you should feed it, but, well you get the picture! Our schedule is always available on the Home page of our website. www.thebaukegroup.com See you there!
Pat is the Exec Director of the Covington Business Council and the Urban Partnership of Covington. Let’s see how Mr. Big Deal handles the pressure when I “Get Nosy…”
I think of you like Norm from Cheers- everyone knows you. If you don’t know Pat Frew, you must live in cave. What’s up with that?
Thank you. That’s very nice. I appreciate that. I used to work for a boss that taught me the importance of being a resource to others. That sentiment has served me well in building foundational relationships.
You have had some interesting jobs and careers. Which one has been your favorite and why?
My current one(s) as Executive Director of the Covington Business Council and the Urban Partnership of Covington where we are launching an effort to start a business improvement district providing services in exchange for a property assessment from those owning commercial buildings in Covington’s urban core. As a pilot clean and safe effort I raised nearly $200,000 last year so we could have crews on the street that picked up more than 35 1/2 tons of litter and removed more than 600 instances of graffiti. We think this work is helping to save Covington in that it creates a welcoming environment for prospective business owners, entrepreneurs and investors. It’s not only been the most fun job I’ve had but the most important too!
As a master networker, you must have some good stories. Tell me about a really bad networking meeting or experience you have had.
I can’t recall one isolated bad experience but I have had several negative encounters with individuals at networking events where they obviously are much more interested in RECEIVING in a business exchange than they they are in GIVING. That approach never works.
As the current Exec Director of the Covington (Kentucky) Business Council, and a graduate of THE Ohio State University and resident of Ohio, please complete followingsentence:
(OSU basketball coach) Thad Matta could totally kick (UK Basketball coach) John Calipari’s butt in ….
…running a clean/quality basketball program in an environment where you will always be “second fiddle” to the football team.
Make a pitch to businesses as to why they should locate in Covington, Kentucky. Right now. Let’s see how good you are, Mr. Exec Director.
There has never been a better time to locate a business in Covington. We are hungry to attract appropriate retailers and other prospective enterprises. There are large numbers of available storefronts at very affordable rates. The City has a number of incentive programs available to startups and established businesses. Many of these spaces are ready to be leased immediately. The overall vibrancy of the urban core is being enhanced by the expanding urban campus on Scott Street by Gateway Community and Technical College and the expansion of the adjacent Kenton County Library branch. I think increased interest and excitement has been evidenced at our monthly Covington Business Council luncheons which have been averaging about 125 attendees per month (double from two years ago). Entrepreneurs of all types are being courted through a partnership between the City, Duke Energy and life science accelerator bioLOGIC. And I believe the business improvement district services we are planning to provide (continuance of cleanup work described earlier, beautification downtown such as benches, planters and banners and economic development support liaision efforts between business owners and the City) will create and sustain growth. I welcome interested parties, including business owners, investors, commercial real estate brokers and other stakeholders to contact me for more information at 859-431-1500, ext. 1 or pfrew@covingtonup.com.
And thanks to Pat ” Norm” Frew for letting me Get Nosy…!
Jill is the Founder & Owner of JZMcBride and Associates. Founded in 1996, JZMcBride and Associates works with a select clientele to provide focused and attentive public relations and marketing services. They specialize in positively affecting customer behavior and engendering long-term loyaltywith services that include media relations, project management, direct marketing and event planning.
Before I was Jill McBride, Queen of Public Relations, I was best known as Jill McBride, Queen of …Loyalty Marketing. I sold and managed loyalty marketing programs for eight years before starting my own marketing and public relations agency in 1996.
I knew my business was going to make it when… our clients were so pleased with our work that they started to refer others to us. And, we outgrew two offices in three years.
Your dog, Maude, comes to work with you and makes frequent appearances in your company related posts, etc. In my mind, she is a part of your brand. Was that intentional? I’d like to say it was a clever, calculated strategy but it really happened organically. She’s a really good dog and I missed her during the day so I tried it and everyone in the office liked having her around. I do think it speaks to the kind of environment we’re trying to create and I’m open to having more pets in the office (just no snakes) provided they all get along.
You have a client whose products are family focused and whose company reputation is squeaky clean. The President, who also owns the company, is caught sending inappropriate text messages to an intern. She calls Nancy Grace and is scheduled to appear on her show tonight with all of the scoop. Gloria Allred has left this intern several messages on her cell phone. Jill McBride, Queen of PR , what do you do? Our advice in these kind of crisis situations is to tell the truth, be authentic, and if you need to, ask for forgiveness. The public is very forgiving when someone is genuinely remorseful. It’s always a mistake to hide from a potential PR crisis and do nothing. You end up letting others (the media, your competitors, the other party) tell your story for you.
If you had to choose one personal disaster to befall you, would you rather walk around all day with the back of your skirt tucked into your underwear, or realize at the end of the day that because you ran out of Bounce for your dryer, you have been dragging your mom’s bra she left behind on her recent visit, sticking out from under your pants leg all day? Oh geez, can I pick “d” none of the above? My mom told me to always check my teeth for lipstick before I get out of the car or leave the house. It was good advice.
Yes, I’m talking to you, presumably capable and qualified job seeker. You submitted a resume for a position for which you are at a fit. You were contacted for a phone interview. (yay!) The phone interview is scheduled. Just a formality, right? You are already wondering whether you should take your suit for a run through the dry cleaner.
You might or might not be surprised at how many phone interviews are the period at the end of the sentence of your hopes for a particular job. Think about it this way. When someone reviews your resume, they are deciding whether you have the minimum requirements for the job. In other words, can you do the job? If you make it to the next round, very often a phone conversation of some sort, you can assume that the answer is a tentative yes. It is at this point those opportunities for screwing up start to pop up. Here are the top three traps:
Not treating the phone interview like a real interview It is not something to be done while you are driving, while your kids and pets are close by, while you are multi tasking, or while you are distracted or could be distracted in any way. A recruiter once told me about a conversation he had with a candidate who was very clearly, shall we say, in a state with his pants around his ankles. Needless to say, that was their last conversation. You must prepare and show up as if you are speaking to the CEO, every time.
Making It All About You The interviewer set up the call, it is his to run. Recently, a friend told me that he had five phone interviews set up, and was excited about the candidates, all of whom seemed well qualified for the opportunity. When I asked him how they went, he said he was only bring one in for a face-to-face meeting. He proceeded to tell me that each person “peed on his shoes“ in some way. One started the call with a list of what she needed in the way of pay and benefits, and said that they shouldn’t continue the call unless those were to be met. Another, speaking about her last employer said ” I know you’re a man, but that place was an old boys’ club. Women could’t get anywhere.” Although that may be very true, that is not the time or the place to share that view. Another was obviously emailing during the conversation. Three out of the four showed no interest in what the interviewer’s needs were, or how he or she could contribute. One had clearly misrepresented himself on his resume.
Not Following Up I can’t stress this enough. You must send a thank you note for a phone interview. You must ask what the next steps are, or when you can expect to hear back so you know when to follow up. And yes, if you hear nothing back,. you must follow up appropriately. As an example, if you are told that a decision on the next round will be made by Friday, it is perfectly reasonable to call that following Monday, re-express your interest and ask if they need any other info from you. Do not sound frustrated or desperate. Positive, upbeat and interested are obviously the way to go.
A phone call is an opportunity to get invited to the next step. Prepare, show up and engage as if it is the final step. Use good judgment in what you say and what you do. Listen, ask questions and show sincere interest in learning as much as you can about the role. If it is not for you, say so. Who knows? Maybe something that is better suited for you will show up at that organization and you will be remembered positively.
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