Death by LectureAs humans in today’s fast-paced world, we often value getting the job done as quickly as possible. When it comes to helping people learn, lecturing’s, aka “just tell them everything they need to know,” becomes the unfortunate default mode of information delivery. Unfortunately, the process of knowledge transfer doesn’t work like a bank deposit, and we can’t just extract knowledge from one person and implant it in another. Instead, individuals need to engage with information so they understand what to do with those details and make them into their own, internalized knowledge. Grandpa, Tell Me a StoryYou know who loves stories? Little kids. Do you know why? They are trying to figure out what the world is all about and what to do with all of the things they are experiencing for the first time. Just like adults use stories to help children understand the world, stories help adults make the transition from bland best practice or potentially useful technique to thing-I-actually-do. Let’s look at three examples of how stories can be incorporated into training to engage people in the learning process and help adults actually learn.  Stories help us make sense of the world. Reason 1: Stories Help Concepts Become RealIn training, many times we’re covering abstract ideas, and sharing models for how to apply those ideas. Stories help us make that jump. Here's an example: Concept:During a training with customer service professionals, we're trying to help them understand the importance of getting to know individual customers and catering to their unique needs. Basic explanation:"Each customer is different. Every person who calls us on the phone has their own point of view and personal struggles that we may know nothing about. We need to find out what matters to them and emphasize those points as we speak to them. Overall, be careful about making assumptions about people’s wants and needs based on your personal preferences." Story to make the idea real:"Here’s an example of learning about our customers and tailoring our approach to their wants and needs. While working at a table at a church conference, my job was to discuss health insurance benefits with pastors currently working in congregations. I was there to promote a great new benefit where pastors could earn $250 for completing an online health assessment quiz. For me, taking the health assessment was a no-brainer, because I thought, “Yay! Free money!” I quickly learned, though, that this was not the prevailing opinion among the pastors. Several stopped to express outrage that the church was trying to BRIBE them to take the health assessment. Since many of the pastors prided themselves on being more concerned with doing good in the world than with money, having a financial reward for doing something that they should do anyway became a disincentive. One church leader realized that a different approach was needed. She used the concept of stewardship—which means taking care of the gifts God has given to you, including your money and your own personal health. She told pastors that it was their duty as leaders of the church to model good stewardship by taking the health assessment (especially since another benefit was helping their congregation to earn a discount on their health insurance premiums). By keeping the wants and needs of the audience in mind, and realizing that they may be very different from our own, we figured out how to position this benefit in a way that resonated with our audience. " How the story helps:This story takes an abstract concept (everyone is different) and drives it home. Since many people may identify with the person who would gladly take the health assessment to earn money, seeing a completely different, and often unexpected, viewpoint can be shocking. Adding details about people and context for why they have the values they do, can be eye-opening.  One person thinks "Yay--free money," while another person thinks "How dare you bribe me!" Reason 2: Stories Help People Learn from Other People's ExperiencesWhen you first learn a concept, it may sound good in the abstract, but you're not sure how to apply that idea in the real world. In professions like being a police officer or a fire fighter, stories are a way that seasoned staff help rookies learn from other people's experiences. Here's an example of how to use stories to share real-world examples. Concept:With new corporate trainers, using proximity technique to deal with disruptive students in a classroom environment. Basic explanation:"When trying to manage students who are disrupting the classroom, using proximity can be helpful. In short, standing near a student can help them to realize that they need to change their behavior." Story to share one person’s experience using the technique:"During student introductions at the beginning of a sales training class, Alice, a branch manager sitting at a table in the back of the room, was explaining what she hoped to gain from class. In the middle of Alice’s introduction, Jim (the top insurance salesperson in the region) answered his phone. He was sitting at the front table in the classroom, and there was no way for the whole class NOT to hear his conversation as he loudly explained the concept of accident forgiveness. I asked Alice to pause for a moment, then walked over to Jim, and stood next to him for a moment. He looked at me, I smiled at him, and then he put his hand over his phone long enough to say, “I’ll step outside to finish this call.” I nodded to let him know that I appreciate it. Once he left, Alice finished up, and the next person did their introduction. In this case, standing next to Jim was the cue he needed to realize that he was doing something disruptive and self-correct his behavior." How the story helped:The story involves people with names and characteristics. This shows on sometimes challenging student, a high performing salesperson, and a situation that may resonate with students. It also shows how using a relatively simple solution can solve the problem, and help the trainer maintain control of their classroom. This story shows students how they can apply the skill, which may also help them identify when they could use a specific skill in their classroom.  Sharing stories helps people understand how to apply new skills by learning from one another's experiences. Reason 3: To Give Context for Technical TrainingWhen I’ve observed technical trainers, most of them are great at taking people through the step by step process needed to make something work. However, many times the question “why would we ever do this?” is missed. If people don’t get why the process matters, they will have a hard time mustering up enough energy to pay attention. Here's an example of how to use a story to set up a scenario within a technical training course. Concept:Showing students in an intermediate Microsoft Word class how to use the mail merge feature to create mailing labels. Basic explanation:"We’re going to create mailing labels. This would be helpful if you needed to mail the same item, like a marketing campaign, to multiple people. You could even use a mailing list that you had saved in Excel as the starting point for your mailing labels." Story to illustrate why you'd complete this process: "Joanie and Chachi are getting married and having the big wedding of Joannie’s dreams. Now that it’s time to address invitations, her best friend, Jenny Piccalo, points out that addressing 500 envelopes by hand is going to be excruciating. Joannie has a great idea! Why not use the Excel file they’ve created and use the Mail Merge feature in Word to create mailing labels! They can even use one of those handwriting style fonts to help them match the script on the invitations. Let’s look at how to set that up."  Why use a mail merge? How about to make addressing all of those wedding invitations easier! How the story helped:Especially in technical training, sometimes we get so caught up in the “click here, click there, GOOD LORD NOT THERE” aspect of it that we forget to tell students why they’d ever bother to do the process we’re explaining. Giving them a why, in this case a why that aligns with concepts people know (the joys of managing the postal aspects of a big event) and incorporating fictional characters (who doesn’t love a little Happy Days reference?) adds a layer of lightheartedness that is often missing from technical training. What Do You Think?Why do you think telling stories in training is beneficial? What is your favorite story to tell? How does it enhance the learning process? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreIf You Want Links...This blog entry includes no links to additional resources or vendor sites in order to make it compliant to be posted within several Facebook groups. There is another version of this blog post that includes vendor and article links. Visit the Roller Derby category link. Gearing Up for Roller DerbyIn roller derby, pads are not for if you fall, but for WHEN you fall. Keep this in mind as you pick out your first roller derby gear. Having the right safety equipment is a prerequisite for even entering practice. Your gear will be checked to make sure you're wearing all the pieces and that it's all on correctly. Missing equipment means that you don't get to skate. Being a sport that not just everyone knows about, it takes a little bit of research to figure out what to buy, how to buy it, and where to buy each item. Here are a few tips to get you started.  Wear all the gear! What to Buy: Derby Gear ListHere is the gear you need before you can set skate in a roller derby practice or fresh meat program:
Guiding Principles for Buying Gear
 Real live roller derby skaters decked out in their required, yet colorful, safety gear. How to Choose: What to Look for in Roller Derby GearRoller SkatesYou're looking for roller derby skates, not inline skates or artistic roller skates. Roller derby skates usually have a lower boot than the skates roller skating rinks have for rent. Derby skates are typically sized in men's sizes, and for women, buying 1 size smaller is recommended. Here are few popular skates for fresh meat (roller derby newcomers) that run about $100-$175 : Reidell Dart, SureGrip GT-50 and Reidell R3. HelmetSince concussions are prevalent in roller derby, getting a quality helmet is important. Helmets used for roller derby are not the same as bicycle helmets. Typically a skateboard helmet or hockey helmet works. Measure your head, and use those measurements to make sure you purchase the right sized helmet. A helmet will probably be at least $30. Triple 8, Pro-Tec and S-1 are frequently purchased brands. Mouth GuardYou can pick up a sports mouth guard at a drug store or big box department store for under $10. Many roller derby skaters grab a mouth guard by SISU. They are lighter weight and you can drink and speak more effectively with one in. These may run around $30 and come in a variety of fun colors. Elbow PadsYou need a set of elbow pads with hard plastic on the elbows. Popular brands are Triple 8, 187 and Pro-Tec. Make sure they fit snugly on your elbows. Wrist GuardsYou need a set of wrist guards that have braces on the fronts. (If you see roller derby skaters clapping, they are usually hitting their wrist guards together.) Ideally, wrist guards should have a brace on both sides for additional stability and protection--like the Triple 8 Saver Series Wrist Savers, which run about $20. Knee Pads: Spend Your Money HereIn roller derby, falling is inevitable, and I almost always fall on my knees. There are also several skills that require you to land on or tap your knee pads. Consequently, knee pads are a good place to buy better gear right away. Personally, I started with low end Triple 8 knee pads (about $30) , and I quickly upgraded. I went with 187 Killer Pro Knee Pads, which were about $65. It seems like a fair amount of money, but not damaging my knees is worth way more than that. Some people don't like how far the 187s stick out, so try out different brands or talk with other skaters to see what they like. Pro-Tec, Smith Scabs and Deadbolts are just a few other brands to check out. I include a link to knee pad reviews in the linked version of this article. Where to Buy New GearIdeally, you'd get a chance to try on gear before you buy it. Be sure to see if there is a roller derby shop in your area. In the Twin Cities, check out Wheels on Wheels on Facebook. (The owners are involved in men's roller derby and work by appointment.) General sports stores, or skateboard shops, may have some equipment, but not necessarily the best derby specific gear. For beginning derby skates, you may want to check out the pro shop at your local roller skating rink. The selection is typically not huge, but you may have a chance to try on skates. Online, there are approximately 4 bijillion places where you can buy derby gear. Here are just a few:
Where to Buy Used GearBe sure to check with other skaters. They may have gear that they want to get rid of that can get you started. Facebook also has several different groups to buy, sell and trade roller derby gear. Here are a few:
What Do You Think?What are your roller derby gear preferences? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn MorePlease note that I'm not receiving incentives from any organization to promote or suggest one product or website over another. These are just my personal opinions, for your consideration. Search for these titles to learn other people's opinions:
I Am Sooooooo Tired!In adult life, “I’m so tired” is a common complaint, second only to “I am so busy.” Of course, we are so tired and busy because of how important and in-demand we are, therefore we don’t have time to take on one more thing because, for goodness sake, we don’t even have time to sleep! #Humblebrags aside, there are certainly many life habits adults have that can mess up the ability to sleep—including our 24/7 culture, using our smart phones late in the evening and that cursed show we’re watching on Netflix that somehow tricks us into watching the next episode. Once you do call it a night, here are three tactics for getting yourself from being physically in bed to actually asleep.  Must go to sleep. Must go to sleep. Must go to sleep now! Read FictionI read way more non-fiction than fiction. I read books on time management, making better business decisions and promoting positive behavior change. While I love these books because they help me improve my work skills and excel in life, reading non-fiction activates me. I usually take notes, make observations and think of all of the things I should DO. While this a helpful mindset for overall life success, it’s not going to do my sleep any favors. Now, I read non-fiction during the day, and fiction at night. I read stories that are entertaining and engaging, but help my mind wind down. So far, my teenage daughter (a voracious reader) has gotten me hooked on dystopian young adult fiction trilogies including Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched, Uglies and more. They are quick reads that are well paced with interesting plots. They also serve as entertainment that helps me transition from awake, functioning adult to ready to go lights-out adult. Not sure what to read? Grab something from an area little free library, grab a book at the local coffee shop’s free shelf or get thee to the library. Check out what friends and family are reading and get recommendations. Pick something and start. If it’s not your thing, pick something else.  Read fiction to lull yourself to sleep. Write It DownAdmittedly, the world “journaling” makes me throw up a little bit in my mouth. These days, journaling is often the go-to remedy for everything from being more grateful for what we have to figuring out why we do the crazy things we do. Do you know why journaling is recommended so much? Because it works. Getting information out of your head and on paper has huge value. It helps you not only process your ideas, thoughts and feelings, but it enables you to take part in the process of taking a thought your mind is stuck on and physically put it somewhere else. Offloading that thought—at least until morning—frees up our minds to get some damn sleep. When I’m supposed to try to sleep, my brain liked to occupy itself by rehashing every dumb thing I’ve ever said, revisiting movie trivia I can’t quite remember and stewing on problems I can’t quite solve. Keeping those thoughts inside my head (or trying to will them away) only results in more tossing and turning and less actual sleep.  Write it down! Breathe TacticallyThe answer? Write it down. Next to your bed, keep a pen and a writing surface—no matter if it’s a proper journal, half used notebook or the back of an envelope. Trying to pinpoint why that project failed? Write it down. Finally remember the name of your coworker three jobs ago? Write it down. Finally figure out the right way to word that paragraph? Write it down. Instead of either stewing on a topic (and not sleeping) or trying to hold on to that thought until morning (which I never manage to do), you guessed it—WRITE IT DOWN! It also frees up your mind to wander and dream and sleep instead of turning a problem over and over in your head until morning, when you’re thinking even less clearly due to lack of sleep. If I’m having a tough time sleeping, or even dealing with a stressful situation, I will often take deep breaths. Recently, I attended a training session about resilience. The presenter referenced 4-4-8 breathing and mentioned this technique helped soldiers in the special forces handle stressful situations. As an extra added bonus, it also works as a way to get your mind to calm down and get to sleep. Here’s how it works:
Variations on this idea abound—including 4-4-8 breathing, 4-4-4 breathing or Circle 7 Breathing (7-7-7). Regardless of the numbers you use, the whole point is to help your mind focus, pay attention to your breathing and calm yourself down. If you’re in a stressful situation, using this exercise can help clear your head so you can deal with the task at hand. If it’s bedtime, tactical breathing can push you from pre-bedtime routine to sound asleep.  Inhale. Hold. Exhale. Repeat. What Do You Think?What are your tried and true tips for getting to sleep? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreThe Networking ConundrumAs an adult human with (or searching for) a grown-up job, we often hear about the value of networking--but how does one “network?” And how does one do it in a such a way that we’re meeting people, building relationships and connecting with individuals in a meaningful way? How do we do all of that without being (or feeling like) the slimy person who talks with someone today in order to shamelessly use that person for selfish personal gain later on? Overall, networking includes meeting people, keeping track of them and nurturing those relationships in a mutually beneficial way. Let's break down each of those key components. Meet All The PeopleWe meet people all the time whether we’re working on a project, attending a conference or dressed in our least attractive ensemble attempting to sneak in and out of the grocery store. The trick with networking is to figure out how to meet people who share your professional interests. Here are three key places to meet the people that will become part of your network.  Look at all the people! Go forth and meet them all! Coworkers and VendorsI’ve worked for 10+ organizations, each of which had some turnover and many new employees. After I met someone initially, or sometimes after I worked with them on a project, I would connect with them on LinkedIn. I also connected with coworkers at other office locations as well as point people working for vendor organizations. Since I have worked directly with all of these people, they have direct experience with me as a coworker, manager or project team member. Professional OrganizationsIn the Twin Cities, I’ve been involved with the Financial Planning Association, Association of Talent Development, Professional Association of Computer Trainers, the League of Longfellow Artists and Fredrickson Roundtable for Learning Leaders. Each time I attend a meeting, I have conversations with people before, during and after each presentation. I make special effort to get their names and connect with them on LinkedIn afterwards by including a brief note on who I am and our conversation. These are people who have seen me in a professional environment and have had at least one personal interaction with me. Friends, Family and the CommunityThere are people that we interact with all the time—like the server at my favorite restaurant, my daughter's math teacher, the guy who works from the same coffee shop I visit, the woman who knocked me down last week at roller derby. This also includes friends from high school, classmates from college and the friend of my sister’s that I struck up a conversation with a month ago. After I’ve had a good interaction with people, I try to connect with them since our paths may cross again, and there will definitely be opportunities for us to help one another out. Now, reaching out to them to talk more about a specific topic will be easier since we have had casual contact on one or more occasions. Some could argue that these people shouldn't be a part of a "professional network" since I don't directly know them from work. I disagree. I'm a firm believer that there is generally zero benefit to being mean to people and only positives from being nice to people. Go forth and be nice to people--if only for the sheer pleasure that being nice to another fellow human being can give you. Keep Track of EveryoneLinkedIn is the core tool I use to keep track of my professional network. This is a collection of people I have worked with over the course of my career, colleagues from professional organizations and people who are both friends and possible business contacts. I use LinkedIn to post my professional profile, link to my other professional social media accounts and stay current on who of my connections currently work for what organizations. In addition to LinkedIn, I also keep email addresses and phone numbers for people who I worked with more closely, and connect people with who are family or friends as well as professional connections through Facebook.  LinkedIn is my favorite tool for keeping track of my network. Foosball is also fun, ergo the picture. Interact in a Meaningful WayThe biggest mistake most people make with networking is staying silent until they need something. In order to network effectively, it needs to be a give and take relationship. This includes talking to people in passing when you see them, congratulating them on their successes, asking them how they are doing and offering help when you can. Is someone looking for someone to click through a webpage they are designing? Volunteer to help. Did they just publish a book that you read? Comment on how much you liked the book or share the book with other people who might find it interesting. Did someone just get a promotion at work? Send them a quick note of congratulations. Even sharing insightful articles on LinkedIn on a regular basis is one easy way to give to, rather than take from, your network. In order to be successful, networking should be about an ongoing relationship that is mutually beneficial—not your list of people that you ask to do you favors.  Give back to your network! Sharing useful information, like whatever-this-chart-is, is a good way to go. What Do You Think?How do you build and nurture your professional network? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreWelcome To The SuckThe process of being "in transition" is like no other. Not only do you have no outwardly dictated plans on any given weekday, but you don't really know how long your unstructured time off will last (another week, another month, a few months?) or what your day to day life will look like once the transition is over. There's also the issue of figuring out what to do with yourself when you're not job searching--in addition to feeling guilty because you're not doing more job searching, that is. As an extra added bonus, there are the occasional freak outs about money, nervousness about career prospects and the once in a great while "I will never be employed ever again!" full-on panic. Suffice it to say that job searching can be full of obstacles that make the process hard to manage. Knowing the possible issues is the first step towards figuring out how to mitigate each challenge and move forward. Here are five unfortunate truths I have discovered about dealing with an unexpected career transition and a few coping strategies for dealing with each.  The job interview process is riddled with challenges. Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash 1. You won't always get an interview for THE PERFECT JOB.Congratulations! You just found THE PERFECT JOB! You have all of the required and preferred qualifications! It's at the right level, with your dream company, and you even know someone who works there who will say great things about you! Surely your days of job searching are coming to a close because you are the purple squirrel for THE PERFECT JOB! Enter reality. I'm sorry to say that you may not even manage to get so much as an initial phone screen for this position. Even when you feel like the job was tailor made for you, someone in a decision making position may not agree. Why might that happen? For one, the position may not actually available. Some organizations post job openings to gauge interest in the position even though they have no plans to hire anytime soon. Conversely, the role may have been open for a while and the selection process may be well under way. There could also be an internal person who will take the job without additional people being considered. In some cases, companies may have a policy that they need to post positions externally for a given length of time even though they already have a candidate in mind. Still other organizations may decide part way through the hiring process to leave a position unfilled, but not remove it from their posted jobs. Assuming the job is really and for true accepting applicants, there may still be issues. For one, key stakeholders in an organization may have a lack of common agreement on what a job role will do and what constitutes being a well-qualified candidate. Decision makers may also each have their own non-negotiable requirements for the qualifications for the potential hire--which may or may not relate to the person's ability to do the job. Remember that, no matter what the issue is, it seldom has anything to do with you personally. It's just the life of recruiting for and trying to fill positions with the best candidates they can find--sometimes with people who are (unfortunately) not you. Coping Strategies
2. People who aren't good at their jobs will make your life harder.Remember a time at your last job when you had to deal with someone who was not good at what they did for a living? Like the salesperson who was rude, never did their paperwork right and missed deadlines? Or the recruiter who didn't keep good notes and forgot who they had phone screened? During your job search, you'll realize those people exist in other organizations, too, and they sometimes stand between you and the job you want. It could come in the form of an administrative assistant who is supposed to coordinate your travel for an in-person interview--who didn't make reservations then went on vacation leaving you scrambling to find someone else to help. It may be the recruiter who doesn't realize that a learning management system and a learning content management system are roughly the same thing and wrongly screens you out early on in the process. It may be the hiring manager that is overly concerned with your lack of knowledge of their industry and doesn't believe that anyone could just LEARN what they now know. It might be an insecure possible future coworker who doesn't want to hire someone who might outshine them. Just like in the rest of life, things are not always "fair" and you may not get a job, even if you are a strong candidate. Such is life.  Not everyone is great at their job. Try not to let it get you down. Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash Coping Strategies
3. Along the way, someone will dislike you.I don't know about you, but I am friggin' delightful. I'm also able to connect and get along well with most people. However, during the interview process, no matter who I am or am not, it's not going to match what someone else thinks the candidate for the position should be. Whether they thought I should have smiled more, made a different outfit choice or given more detailed examples, someone's negative reaction to who I am may take me out of the running for a job. People often have their own pet theories about what they'd like in a coworker, manager or direct report. They may be convinced that having the title "account manager" is pivotal for success, that all candidates must have a master's degree, or that people who ride horses are pretentious. You might also have the misfortune of reminding them of the mean girl in high school and BOOM--instant dislike. Again, life isn't necessarily "fair." Coping Strategies
4. The interview process may be extensive and/or disorganized.The job interview process can be anything from one interview to many, many, many interviews depending on the organization and the role. Typically, I expect to have a phone screen with an entry level HR person to confirm that I can speak in sentences, an in-person interview with the manager and potential coworkers and a final interview to either demonstrate skills and/or meet with my potential boss's boss. In addition, a given employer may want to have you do more to demonstrate that you have the skills necessary to do the job. You might be asked to pass written assessments, submit work samples, present to a group or complete a project. They may even have you come into the office for the day and "work" as if you are already in the position for which you are applying. Interviews could take place over the phone, via web conference, through email, in-person or (more likely) a combination of all of the above. Some companies will have a pre-defined, structured process for the pacing and format of interviews. Other organizations will appear to be making it up as they go along. You may inadvertently skip steps and realize near the end of the process that you missed talking about a basic topic like salary range or work location. You may have interviews one-on-one with many people who you might work with going forward including coworkers, people with whom you'd collaborate with and executives. Sometimes, it may seem that the interview process is never-ending because you have not yet talked with every single person in the organization. Coping Strategies
5. Time passes more slowly when you're waiting.I remember being a child, and how LONG the year seemed. It always took forever to get from my birthday at the end of August to Christmas. Enter adulthood. I find myself consistently marveling that it's already whatever day/month/season it is because it seems that it was just that other day/month/season. In this scenario, your employer is the adult, and you are the child. Some companies will be motivated to fill a position and move things pretty quickly, while others might have days, weeks or even months between your contacts with them--all because something that wasn't filling that position became a priority. What about that two days that the employer estimated it would take them to contact you? It may easily turn into a week, or two. Since they're busy addressing customer issues, traveling to client sites and doing their expense reports, they didn't even realize it took that long. Meanwhile, you're stocking your pantry awaiting the unemployment apocalypse because you will never get a job ever, ever again. (Except not really because, well, reality.) I have also had cases where I've had one or more interviews that went well, and then not heard from the company for a week or two. I'll send a follow up message, which sometimes gets the process going again, but at least makes me feel like I've taken the action I can take to let them know I'm still a potential candidate. Keep in mind that holidays, summer, natural disasters, other company events and a host of other valid reasons may keep people from following up with you. Or, as any job seeker really doesn't want to hear, you may not be getting the job. Responding to a candidate quickly usually shows that the potential employer is interested. In many cases, taking longer to respond may indicate lagging interest. Such is how the whole process works.  Like sands through the hourglass, so is how slow the passing of time feels when you're waiting for a possible employer to call. Coping Strategies
What do you think?What unfortunate truths about the job search process have you found? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreInterview Preparation 101When interviewing, whether it’s an initial phone screen, video conference or in-person meeting, there are a few questions you need to be ready to answer early on. Having good answers prepared will set the tone for the interview and increase your chances of continuing in the hiring process. When I’m in an interviewer role, I tend to start with “Tell me about yourself.” Here are examples of bad, good and even great ways to answer this question.  Help your potential employer get to know you beyond your resume. Why This Question: The Good ReasonsPersonally, I ask this question to give people a chance to talk and tell me whatever they want to tell me. As a hiring manager, I look for people who can present themselves well, summarize information and figure out what to do with minimal direction. This question gives the candidate a chance to summarize what they see as the important points of who they are and what they do in the way that makes the most sense to them. Remember, this question is your opportunity to shine. For a couple of minutes, you get to set the tone for the interview focusing on your best qualities, what a great fit you are for the job and why people will enjoy you as a coworker. A good candidate will use this time to tell me why they are a good fit for the job and why I might want to work with them. A bad candidate will freeze, not know where to start, ramble on endlessly or tell me their life story. Why This Question: The Not-So-Good ReasonsIn a job interview setting in the United States, there are several things that employers cannot legally ask a candidate. These include marital status, age, how many they have, how many children they plan to have, their religion and many more personal, non-job related details. When asked an open-ended question like “Tell me about yourself,” many candidates will volunteer much of the information that the employer can’t ask. This presents a couple of issues. For one, in a job interview setting, candidates should answer questions in a way that positions them in a good light for the job. Answering with personal, non-job related details makes the candidate sound unprofessional and not very focused on their professional life. In addition, volunteering personal information may cause interviewers to jump to conclusions about the candidates suitability for a role. Mentioning that you have small children may cause interviewers to think you won’t be able to travel for work, will want to leave early all of the time, or will miss work for family reasons. Minimize these issues by thinking through your answer before the interview. How to Prepare Prior to the interview, review information about the company, the open position and the person or people who will be interviewing you. Review the posted job description, review insights you’ve learned from current employees, refer to something you learned from viewing the interviewer’s LinkedIn profile and be ready to summarize your background to present yourselves as a strong candidate for the job. Practice telling your story before the interview, ideally getting feedback from a friend or family member and adjusting your presentation. Find that balance between knowing what you want to convey, and saying it in a way that doesn’t sound overly rehearsed. Bad Answer: All Personal“Hi. My name is Jenny. I’m 35, my husband and I have been married for 5 years and I have a 2 year old daughter named Elizabeth. My hobbies include crocheting, playing volleyball, visiting art museums and going to a weekly Bible study group at Holy Christ Almighty Non-Denominational Church.”  Don't volunteer answers for questions a potential employer can't legally ask. What's Missing: Why You're QualifiedIn an interview, you’re presenting yourself as a possible employee. In this example, there was absolutely no information on you as a job candidate aside from those that can be insinuated (possibly incorrectly) from the information that was provided. While it’s helpful to add a few personal details to show that you are an actual human being with interests that don’t involve spreadsheets and sales projections, professional information, including work experience and qualifications, takes priority over personal details. Okay answer: Qualifications Review “Hi. My name is Jenny. As you know from my resume, I have 10 plus years of experience as a project manager. Most recently, I worked at EFG Company managing software implementations. I also have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and I’m pursuing my Project Manager Professional (PMP) certification.”  Stay professional, but remember to add to what's on your resume, not just relist key points. What’s Missing: Details Beyond Your Resume The interviewer already thinks you have the basic qualifications to do the job (ergo the interview). Now is the time to include details that didn’t make your resume. Tell them what you liked about your most recent position, your specific accomplishments or what you’ve learned. In addition to the focus on your job-related skills, tell them a little about you as a person. Good answer: I Am More Than My Resume, and an Actual Person “Hi. My name is Jenny. As you know from my resume, I have 10 plus years of experience as a project manager. Most recently, I worked at EFG Company where, in the last year, I successfully managed 50 software implementation projects for small to medium sized companies. In that role, I really enjoyed working with business analysts to help companies with both project management and change management. I learned a lot about working with vendors and customers to promote software adoption. When I’m not at work, my hobbies include crocheting, playing volleyball and visiting art museums.”  Let interviewers know what you like and what you've learned. What’s Missing: Connections with the Company or Interviewers This is a pretty good answer. It’s complete, goes beyond resume bullet points and includes a few non-work details. What’s missing is the connection between you and the organization. How are you uniquely qualified for this position? What experiences will help you do the specific job at the organization? What beliefs do you hold that align with the company values? What do you have in common with the interviewers? Answer the unasked questions “why should we hire you instead of the other qualified candidates?” and “what are you like as a person?” Connect the dots for people so they can see how great of a fit you are for the position. Great Answer: I am a Good Fit and a Real Person“Hi. My name is Jenny. As you know from my resume, I have 10 plus years of experience as a project manager. Most recently, I worked at EFG Company where, in the last year, I successfully managed 50 software implementation projects for small to medium sized companies. In that role, I really enjoyed working with business analysts to help companies with both project management and change management. I learned a lot about working with vendors and customers to promote software adoption. Since XYZ Company works predominantly with small companies, and you’re focusing on customer retention, my experience on helping customers update their business processes to align with new software will help with that initiative. I’m excited about the kinds of customer retention projects I would get to work on in this role with XYZ company. When I’m not at work, my hobbies include crocheting, playing volleyball and visiting art museums. Alan—you’re a volleyball player too, aren’t you? I saw a picture of your company team on the website. Playing on a company team is always a lot of fun.”  Connect with the interviewer and the organization. What Do You ThinkWhat components do you think are critical when answering the “Tell me about yourself” question? Include details in the comments below. Learn MoreYou Can Do The Thing!Adulting is hard. I think we all know that we need to make an effort to do things that will help our future selves to be successful. We all know that eating better, exercising more, not procrastinating and getting some sleep will make us better in the long run. Unfortunately, laziness pays off now. Who can bother to get motivated and actually do stuff when there are 10+ seasons of Doctor Who available for the watching at any time, day or night? So how do you motivate to do all of that pesky adulting you need to do? Here are three videos that may serve as the kick in the tail you need to get up and do something that doesn't involve guarding the living room couch. If you just need a general affirmation of how awesome you are and how you need to just go do the thing, skip to video 3 because YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT! Otherwise, check out these videos and the articles at the end for even more motivation. I also realized that what I find motivating often includes some straight talk and a bit of adult language. Proceed with appropriate caution.  You can do the thing! 9 Life Lessons from Comedian Tim MinchinComedian Tim Minchin shares his comedic insights and 9 valuable life lessons. This is motivating on a greater level to live a good, meaningful life while also not taking yourself too seriously. It's also witty and amazing. (NSFW because adult themes and a wee bit of language.) Daily Inspiration - David Goggins Find Your DriveThis video is inspiring on many levels from Navy Seal and overall badass human David Goggins. He talks about his upbringing and his firm belief that motivation is fleeting, but being driven gets you where you need to be. (FYI--he uses some offensive language, partly because he talks about being called the N word every day when he was in school.) You Are Magnificent!Are you lacking confidence? Feeling bad about yourself? Worried that you're not good enough? Let this woman set you straight. The core message of this video is that you need to just get up and do the thing. If you need a pep talk, here it is in it's intermittently foul-mouthed glory. You are magnificent! (NSFW because, swearing.) What Do You Think?What motivates you? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn More
Interview Preparation 101When interviewing, whether it’s an initial phone screen, video conference or in-person meeting, there are a few questions you need to be ready to answer early on. Having a good answer prepared will set the tone for the interview and increase your chances of continuing in the hiring process. In two recent initial interviews with different companies, the first question asked was "What do you know about our company?" Here are bad, good and even great ways to answer this question. Why This Question?So why start here? At the most basic level, it is a great way for an organization to see if you are interested enough in the job that you did a little homework on your potential employer. Here in the information age, where the magical Google can tell you anything from when daylight saving time starts to who won the Worst Picture Razzie in 1995, there is just no excuse for not learning at least something about an organization before you interview. From a recruiter's point of view, a candidate who bothers to find out about the company is stronger than one who has a "which job is this again?" mindset. It comes down to showing that you have initiative--which is a great quality in any potential worker.  There's more to a company than a big shiny building. Why Do The Research?Aside from being able to answer this question, it's a good idea to learn more about a possible employer. Sometimes, when looking for work, people get so focused on trying to get hired somewhere, that we forget that we also need to figure out if we want to work for a given company. When doing a little research, you may learn that you actually don't want to work for a company that has an opening. Maybe they are known for having high turnover, legal troubles or are cutting staff. Knowing the marketing information as well as the day to day of a given organization can help you make a good decision about your next employer. Remember that you are also interviewing the company, and finding out more about them gives you a better background for the "What questions do you have for me?" portion of the interview.  A little company research will help you in the hiring process. Bad Answer: I know nothing."Not a thing." (An actual answer I received when I was a hiring manager interviewing a candidate for an instructor position.) Seriously? Ugh. Even if you know next to nothing, you know a little--the name of the company, that they are hiring the position for which you are applying, how to get to the building. Just try even a little bit. Okay Answer: I know a little bit.“I know that Super-Great Healthcare Company is a non-profit organization that runs 100 clinics and hospitals. I know that this organization was formed in 2010 because of a merger of Super Healthcare and Great Healthcare, which made it the largest clinic network in Illinois. I also know that you have just launched a new ‘phone a nurse’ program to help patients make better healthcare decisions.” Invest 5 minutes: Basic Company InformationYou almost have to try to not learn anything a company. First off, at the bottom of most job postings, companies list a little bit about their company, including a quick note on who they are and what they're about. From there, visit your good friend Google, do a quick Internet search, and get thee to the company’s website. Be able to list off at least a few basics on the organization including what the business does, their main products and services. On their home page, you should be able to glean what they do, and see at least a few key announcements.  Get on the Google to find out all about your prospective employer. Good Answer: I know a thing or two.“I know that Super-Great Healthcare Company is a non-profit organization that runs 100 clinics and hospitals. I also know that this organization was formed in 2010 because of a merger of Super Healthcare and Great Healthcare, which made it the largest clinic network in Illinois. I know you have just launched a new ‘phone a nurse’ program to help patients make better healthcare decisions. I know that Super-Great Healthcare Company was named one of the top 100 workplaces in Illinois for the second year in a row, that you recently hired a new VP of Operations and broke ground on a new corporate headquarters building.” Invest 15 Minutes: About Us and NewsGo beyond the homepage of the company's website and learn a little more. Visit the “About” page to find out more about their office locations, leadership team, company values and awards they may have won. Check out press releases to see what news the organization wants to publicize. Visit LinkedIn to see the company’s marketing summary. Check out Wikipedia for a once over on company information from their start up to present day. Do a Google search focused on news to find out any headlines involving the organization. Don't feel the need to list off every fact ever about the company, but sharing a few key details shows that you did more than the bare minimum. Great Answer: I know people.“I know that Super-Great Healthcare Company is a non-profit organization that runs 100 clinics and hospitals. I also know that this organization was formed in 2010 because of a merger of Super Healthcare and Great Healthcare, which made it the largest clinic network in Illinois. I know you have just launched a new ‘phone a nurse’ program to help patients make better healthcare decisions. I know that Super-Great Healthcare Company was named one of the top 100 workplaces in Illinois for the second year in a row, that you recently hired a new VP of Operations and broke ground on a new corporate headquarters building. I also talked with a former co-worker of mine, Alexander Nevermind, and he really enjoys working in Super-Great Healthcare’s IT department. He has nothing but good things to say about the new payment processing system implemented earlier this year. “  Talk to people. They know things. Invest 30 Minutes or More.This is where LinkedIn and your personal network come in handy. Search for the company on LinkedIn, and see if any of your connections have a tie with the company. This could be one of your direct connections, or someone one of them knows. When possible, it's beneficial to reach out to someone via LinkedIn messages, phone or to meet in person to talk. They may be able to share first-hand information that you can't find on a company website. Glass Door is also a great resource for finding out company specific information. Current and past employees share their reviews of the company--the good, bad and ugly. People who have recently interviewed with an organization also rate their experience and include questions that they were asked. Hearing from people who have direct experience with a company can help give you a fuller picture of what the organization is all about. What Do You Think?How do you learn about a potential employer? What details would you include in your answer to this question? Share your insights in the comments. Learn MoreJob Searching on the Computer MachineBack in the good old days, my job search took place mostly on Sunday mornings with a cup of coffee, a highlighter and the newspaper classifieds. Those were also the days of nice resume paper and matching envelopes. This was approximately 1 bijillion years ago. Today, most job search action happens online--and there is no shortage of websites from which to choose. It's also not just about finding posted job openings but leveraging your professional network to find the right position at the right organization. Here are my top 3 websites for leveraging your professional network, researching companies and searching advertised open positions AND 3 extra websites that are also worth checking out.  Unfortunately, my current computer lacks the magical "find job" button that matches me to the perfect career. LinkedIn is pretty much "the show." If you're looking for a job, or just exist as an employable human, you need to have a solid LinkedIn presence that includes a professional head shot, a list of recent job titles, and a fair amount of connections. As a hiring manager, after I review an application, my next step is looking the candidate up on LinkedIn to see what connections or organizations we might have in common. Not having a LinkedIn profile is a severely career limiting move. It very nearly means you don’t exist in the modern world. There are multiple hour classes on using LinkedIn for maximum professional, and job search, effectiveness. I’ve included a few helpful articles in the “Learn More section. Personally, I use LinkedIn to help me get from applying for a company to talking with an actual person at the organization who can help me get noticed. When I discover a position that interests me, I then see who I know who works there—and might be willing to refer me. If I don’t know someone directly, I’ll see who I know who might be able to introduce me to a recruiter or possible hiring manager. Personal recommendations make all of the difference—and are much better than trying to fight your way through an online application system.  LinkedIn is THE place to manage all aspects of your professional network. Indeed.comWhen it comes to searching for a job opening, Indeed is the place to be. Indeed is an aggregator that brings together jobs posted on multiple websites and let’s you search them all through an easy-to-use interface. You can also upload a resume and customize your profile. There's also a section called "Desired Job" that compels you to specify the job title that interests you, employment status, and eligibility to work in the US. You can also set up options to let employers know that you are actively looking. Take the time to set up multiple alerts so that you'll be notified when jobs that meet your criteria are posted--and I typically find more open positions on Indeed than on LinkedIn. In addition, you can save jobs and then track where you are at in the hiring process for each opening. If you're applying for multiple positions and want to keep track of the process, Indeed is a great help. Again, even if I find a job on Indeed, I return to LinkedIn so I can leverage my personal network for the application progress.  FYI: The Indeed.com interface looks nothing like this. Glass DoorAs with LinkedIn and Indeed, Glass Door can also be used to search for jobs--and you may find some different job openings here than you find on other sites. However, the true value of Glass Door is company review information. First off, there is a basic overview for each company. This includes website, headquarters location, number of employees, founding date, type of company, revenue, a summary, mission, awards, etc. Unlike company pages on LinkedIn, which are controlled by each company, Glass Door information is provided by Glass Door users. In fact, companies can not alter what is provided by people sharing feedback on companies and salaries. Glass Door reviews come from from people who have first-hand experience with each company including current employees, former employees and candidates interviewing with the organization. In fact, in order to access all resources Glass Door has to offer, you’ll be asked to contribute a review. Just like with Amazon product reviews, keep in mind the mindset of each reviewer. (I think back to my favorite Amazon review ever, where the person basically gave the book 1 star and commented that he hadn’t read it, but that the topic sounded dumb.) The reviews from current employees may be glowing and those from a recently fired employee may be scathing. Regardless of whether or not you agree with someone's assessment of the organization, it's helpful to get multiple viewpoints. Like with all opinions people share with you in life, you get to pick what you want to heed. Use these insights to figure up what items you may want to follow up with during the interview process. As an extra added bonus, Glass Door also has salary information. I recommend using this as a guideline for what you might be paid rather than a “guarantee” of the rate of pay for a given position. Remember, all salary information is also contributed by individuals, and salary information is based off those inputs—which might not reflect your area of the country, specific job title or skill levels of individuals holding a given job title.  Use Glass Door to find out what the guy in the plaid shirt thinks about this place. Three More Websites to Check Out
What Do You Think?What are your favorite career related websites? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreSome Days You Go To Work and Come Home With a White BoxRecently, I was laid off from my job. It is the fourth time I’ve been laid off over the course of my 20+ year career in corporate training and development. It’s also the third job I’ve had in a row where the company, not me, decided when my tenure at the organization was complete. I have not actively decided to switch jobs in 13 years. Given my field of choice, training, and my penchant for working for companies that are acquired, struggling, startups or reorganizing, this is a part of my professional life (and also why I moved to a larger job market after layoff number 2). Given my track record, I know how to handle a layoff. Even though I know the drill, it still sucks each and every time. There’s the loss of a daily routine, the changing of work friendships to acquaintances or regular friends, the excitement (and terror) of getting to find a new job, and the highs and lows of not knowing whether you’ll be unemployed for a week or for a year. It also comes with a new unpaid full-time job—which is finding a new full-time job. Each layoff has also been a little different. My tenure ranged between 4 months and 8 years. My severance ranged from 2 weeks to 16 weeks. Twice, I could rely on my husband’s income and benefits, and once I was mid-divorce with nearly everything falling apart at once. Regardless of circumstances surrounding a layoff, there are a few good next steps to take.  Some days, you go to work thinking you have a 10 am meeting with your friend Margaret, and find yourself with a white box being walked out of the building instead. 1. Process Your EmotionsCurse you, feelings! Losing your job, even through no fault of your own, is an emotional roller coaster. Given how much of your life you spend at work, suddenly not having the same job is a huge change. In fact, it’s the same level of change as things like getting divorced, having close friend die or having to go to prison. You may feel fine one moment, angry the next, then ecstatic, then in tears. Realize this is completely normal. Just like dealing with a death in the family, you’re dealing with the death of the future you thought you had. Losing that imagined future, regardless of the role that your job plays in your life, is a big loss that needs to be addressed. Figure out how you will cope with these changes. You might choose positive ways (exercise, reconnecting with friends, journaling) or negative (overeating, overthinking, or a good old-fashioned bender). Find your emotional support people and confide in them. Talk to your partner, family and friends. Find a support group (in-person, or online, or both) to help you work through it. As much as you may want to jump over the part where you have to admit you have feelings that influence how you live your day-to-day life, you need to address them—whether it happens now or later. Personally, two layoffs ago, I was going through a whole bunch of new and exciting (read "stressful”) life changes all at once. Then, I compartmentalized and focused on the business of moving and finding a new job. Once I was in my new job, I pretty much worked during the day and went through the process of dealing with all of the life changes at night. Do what works for you. A Note About Social MediaAs you process your feelings, be cautious about sharing too much on social media. Remember, the things that you share on social media are somewhere at least somewhat publicly available, forever. Even if you post things only to friends on the Facebooks, there is no guarantee that other people won’t see it given Facebook's ever-changing privacy parameters. Process those feelings in private, not in public on social media. You are not a Kardashian. You don't want prospective employers--or everyone ever--to see the dirty details of your process.  This picture probably doesn't make any sense here. The cardboard dude is totally losing it, through. 2. Manage Your FinancesDisclaimer: (You know there has to be one of these now that we're talking about topics like money and health insurance.) While I know stuff, I'm not a currently licensed, authorized anything. Feel free to take my advice, but double check my facts (and everyone's facts for that matter). This is your life, and you will care more about your finances and health care than anyone else does. With that, read on. Whew! I'm glad we got THAT out of the way. Most of us work because we have expensive habits to support—like living indoors and eating on a regular basis. When a job ends, there are financial concerns that need to be addressed right away. While you won’t have the income from your job, you will receive your final paycheck, possibly vacation time that you have earned and, hopefully, severance. You may also have additional sources of income (from a spouse, partner, or additional work). If you receive severance, realize that it may be less money than you think because taxes are taken out of that sum. Depending on your severance package, and the length of your unemployment you may also be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. While this may not be a lot, it will help to cushion the blow. You also need to revisit your budget. Prioritize paying things like your housing and transportation, and plan to spend less on discretionary expenses like entertainment, shopping and eating at restaurants. If you have an emergency fund, this might be the time you start using that. If not, you may end up accruing a little debt. For most people, this isn't the time to buy a new car or build on to your house. This is the time to scale back and get through the yuck until you're gainfully employed again.  This is my favorite bizarre piece of clip art anywhere. Apparently, as you think about your budget, figure out how the potato helps balance your money spoon. Obviously. A Note About The Joy That Is Health InsuranceSince many people rely on their employer for health insurance coverage, figuring out this aspect can be tricky. If you are fortunate enough to have a spouse/domestic partner/parent who can bring you onto their health insurance, check that out right away. In general, if you were covered by an employer's plan, and lose that coverage, you will be eligible to switch to another employer sponsored plan. At least ask that question. If that's not an option, you have a few more decisions to make. If you do receive a severance package, health insurance coverage for some period of time may be included. Find out if your previously employer sponsored health insurance coverage is paid for by the employer, or if you will receive money to cover the cost of coverage. (These are two very different things.) You may also be eligible for COBRA coverage, which means that you would continue your previously employer paid health insurance, but pay for it yourself. Be sure to brace yourself when you see the amount that you will now be charged for that coverage--because it is usually A LOT more than you paid as an employee. If you are not willing and/or able to continue with your previous employer's health plan, you may be able to go on the insurance exchanges to find coverage. Depending on your situation, you may also opt for the “be careful” health plan (no health coverage, but no sky diving either). Figure out what makes the most sense to you, and how to mitigate any risks you take.  Health insurance can be confusing--but you need to think it through. 3. Start Your Job SearchNow that you are without a job, you need to figure out how to get a new job—which is no small effort. Think about what kind of a job you want and write it down. Take time to think about the job titles, possible employers and salary range you want to target. It’s hard to find what you want until you actually know what you want to find. Get your resume updated (if you haven’t already). You may even need a couple of different basic resumes if you’ll be applying for different types of jobs. (Personally, I have an instructional designer resume, a training manager resume and a program manager resume.) Figure out how to highlight your unique skill set and showcase what problems you can help your potential employer solve. From here, start letting people know about your new status of being “in transition” (not unemployed) and ask people for help. Many times, people offer help. Letting them know specifics on how they can help will do wonders. Perhaps they can introduce you to people who work at one of your target companies. Perhaps they know about a position that has not yet been advertised. Perhaps they know someone who knows someone who you should talk to. Maybe they have a lead on an up and coming company who needs someone just like you. Rely on those working relationships that you have built and put them to work. (Also remember that this is a two-way street. Be sure to help your fellow job seekers, or people who are trying to fill positions. Creating mutually beneficial relationships helps everyone.) Keep in mind there are additional resources beyond your current network. Just like with emotional support, there are groups that can help with job searching. Check out LinkedIn groups, in-person meetups and seminars on how to network. Find a professional group and meet those people. The more people you meet, the better chance you will have to find a new position that is right for you.  Networking: go forth and meet all the people! Final ThoughtsThrough my many, many layoffs, one thing has remained true. I have always ended up in a better place, both personally and professionally, than I would have expected. I learned new skills, met new people and made life changes that I probably needed to make, but I only did when life gave me the shove I needed. Learn More |