Posts Tagged ‘job hunters’

“How to Get Any Job: Life Launch and Relaunch for Everyone Under 30,” by Donald Asher (Ten Speed Press, 2002 & 2009) aims to advise college-aged people on their future careers. He structures workshops for the readers to figure out what they’re all about, throws in some anecdotes to support his workshops, and ties it all together with economic advice.

Asher recommends that we take our time now to figure out what we want, because we have yet to be indoctrinated in the “adult working world.” He says to hold out for an ideal opportunity, instead of taking what you can, and chastises us losers who live in our parent’s basements.

He has some good advice, but he didn’t realize how expensive housing would become (as compared to the book’s first printing in 2002), the growing unemployment rate, and the fact that most of today’s college kids have been in the “adult working world” since they were 14. The economy is changing, and here’s how to confront it:

1. Living as a team is the new recipe for success: Living in your parent’s basement isn’t the travesty it used to be. To save on funds, many grads are opting to live with their parents. You are no longer weird for wanting to save money!

2. Take what you can get: We typically want to start an actual career right out of college. But what do you do when people who have worked in your field for twenty years are suffering massive layoffs? There are also lapses in insurance to think about. You may want to think about having a “day” job with benefits, while you pursue your passion in your off time.

3. Get creative: Perhaps Asher was able to wait around for his career opportunities, but we can’t. If you want a job, sometimes you just have to invent one for yourself.

If you want a career, sometimes you have to invent your own path. Try taking more responsibilities on at your current job. For example, if you’re a future editor working at a minimum wage job, offer to edit the training manual. I know a fellow who works in data entry that just got a raise for using his IT knowledge. Otherwise, you can always contract your skills privately or start your own business

Q. I’m unemployed with an accounting degree, but I don’t see why anyone would hire me because I really don’t enjoy doing that kind of work. If I cannot convince myself I want a job in the field, I don’t expect to convince any interviewers.

I know my attitude means I need to find something else to do, but I have absolutely no idea what that might be. My unemployment benefits will soon run out. Any advice?

Dear Readers,

Hating your chosen line of work is just one reason people consider taking the giant leap to change careers. My dad, for instance, was earning a fine living in New York City in the 1950s drawing newspaper advertisements for Macy’s when he began to wonder if he might be happier working as a Protestant minister. He eventually enrolled in a seminary and made the switch. Thirty years later, when his doctors advised him to retire because he needed to reserve his energy, depleted by multiple sclerosis, he returned to his earlier love, art. He earned modest sums and kept his spirits high by producing a series of prize-winning watercolors.

Whether it’s voluntary or forced, changing fields calls for some soul-searching. “What do you want to accomplish before you die?” That’s the rather blunt question Martha Mangelsdorf poses in her book, Strategies for Successful Career Change: Finding Your Very Best Next Work LIfe (Ten Speed Press, 2009).

Why attempt to adopt such a long-term perspective? “It’s helpful to look at the big picture, ask yourself what you want to be, and articulate that,” says Mangelsdorf. Deep contemplation is productive even if you are forced to make a change — due to a layoff, for instance. “You may not have all the options you want, but it can help you choose among the things that are available,” she says.

Asking big questions does not guarantee quick answers. Typically it is small steps that help people find a promising new direction. “Often [discovering what you want to do next] is a fairly gradual process,” says Mangelsdorf. During her four-year tenure writing The Boston Globe’s monthly “Transitions” column, Mangelsdorf interviewed dozens of career changers. She found that talking with people in the line (or lines) of work you’d like to consider, attending conferences and trade shows, reading trade publications and scanning industry association websites, and looking into the field’s growth prospects are key actions that can help you make a wise choice.

Getting some additional training may be worthwhile, but that doesn’t necessarily mean studying for a brand new degree at an expensive university. Many community colleges offer cheaper options with more flexible scheduling. Other possibilities include certificate programs, short courses, and compressed degrees. Mangelsdorf interviewed one woman who started a bed & breakfast with just one intensive seminar under her belt. “The options are out there, once you start doing the research,” she says. One source she recommends: www.careeronestop.org, which has a section devoted to education and training.

Think about which skills you have that may come in handy in other settings. These are more formally called “transferable skills.” Sometimes they are not immediately obvious, as in the case of a sales manager who decided to take up organic farming. He took courses from a farm industry association to get up to speed on agriculture, but when it came time to sell his goods to grocery chains, he had an advantage over his competitors. “You’ll often find new ways to apply skills you already have,” Mangelsdorf says.

While it is extremely important to do your homework before making a change, do not underestimate the “serendipity factor.” You may just happen to meet someone, or read something, or volunteer somewhere that gives you a spark of an appealing idea. Try to keep active and stay open to new experiences and people at the same time you reflect on those things that you have long valued. By playing around with the mix, you will likely stumble on some new possibilities.

Q. After graduating from college in May, I have found a full-time position at a plant nursery near my home. I am the receptionist. Unfortunately, the closest I have gotten to using my B.A. in English has been proofreading some things. I am very thankful to have a job, but I am also worried that I am so far from getting any real experience, I will never be able to work within my desired fields of public relations or publishing. Should I freelance to get some writing samples?

Dear Readers,

Having to take a job for which you are overqualified is such common problem nowadays that it would be foolish for job interviewers to hold it against you. Instead, they should respect you for making the mature choice of doing whatever it takes to support yourself.

That said, you will have a better chance of breaking into your chosen field if you figure out a way to get some experience even while you are working full time at something else. A budding writer has all sorts of options. She can write freelance articles for print or internet publications. As a volunteer, she can approach nonprofit organizations and offer to help with their newsletters or other marketing materials.

But publishing is just one of many fields where there are many opportunities to work as an independent contractor or consultant. Sologig.com is one web source for people searching for freelance opportunities in a wide variety of fields.

If you cannot find freelance jobs, look for ways to volunteer. Choose opportunities that are challenging enough to give you some significant experience. Also make sure that there is someone willing to document your contributions and give you a reference when the time comes. In addition to gaining valuable experience, you will meet people who are likely to be impressed by your determination, and consequently may alert you when job openings appear.

Repair Resume With Resilience

Q. I have a question about resumes. I will be applying for a new internal position with my company. My resume has a two-year period of work experience that does not relate to my current or new job. (This was a time when I was out of work and was looking to put food on the table.)

Should I delete these two years from my resume, and if I do remove these years, what should take their place? The prior job (for a year) was as a private contractor. Should I extend this time frame to cover those years?

Dear Readers,

You should never fudge facts in your resume. If any falsehood is discovered, it can undermine your integrity and ultimately your employability. “I always say honesty is the best policy,” says Mary Janaitis, principal at MSJ Consulting in Oakland, Calif. “Otherwise you can get wrapped up in a series of lies. Any discrepancy can cost you your job.”

Janaitis suggests taking a close look at the opportunity you are applying for and highlighting on your resume the skills and abilities at each prior position that would advance your candidacy.

Do the same for the two-year gap that worries you. If there is no connection, then either minimize that period or omit it entirely. You can cover the gap briefly in your cover letter and point out the characteristics that make you shine, like your sense of responsibility towards your family, resilience, resourcefulness, or determination in the face of adversity, says Janaitis, and “use them to sell yourself.”

Determination is a big selling point, whatever the job. As the late Senator Ted Kennedy told his son, when Ted, Jr., asked his father why they always were the last ones out at sea practicing the night before a sailing race: “…most of the other sailors we race against are smarter and more talented than we are. But the reason why we are going to win is that we are going to work harder than them, and we will be better prepared.”

As his son wisely observed, the Senator was not just talking about boating.

I read your column about the value of creativity at work with great interest. I have read Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, and you are right on. What are the innovative, creative, out-of-the box type of companies that are looking for right brainers?

Dear Readers,
If you’re a job hunter leading with your right brain, obvious choices for potential employers are companies that are keen on capitalizing on new technology and introducing new products. Apple and Nike spring to mind. Another clue is whether a company is using new communication tools to connect to customers. Gilead Sciences, Hulu, Nokia, Intel, General Electric, and Toyota are among the magazine Fast Company’s latest list of 50 leading corporate innovators, which can be found online. Business Week also publishes a list from time to time.

These sorts of operations “take advantage of creative souls,” says Lynn Hazan, a Chicago-based executive recruiter who specializes in marketing and communications. Also promising are mature companies that have a growth segment. “They will have pockets that are still open to new ways of doing things,” says Hazan.

In addition to looking for innovative companies, you might identify ways you can deliver your special skills to a more staid business. One way to get noticed is to create your own web presence by developing a website, blog, or both. LiveJournal and Wordpress both make it easy to get started, although updating your site regularly does take some time and effort. “It’s a way to form a unique position statement on your own behalf,” says Hazan. “It’s never been easier to create a voice.”

For more ideas, consult The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Ten Speed Press, 2007) by Carol Eikleberry. Its list of careers may give you a host of new options – from acrobat to young-adult librarian – to consider.

Friend or Phone?

I text. I email. But I hate talking on the phone. Now I am applying for jobs that will require me to use the phone to contact suppliers and field customer questions. I’m terrified. What can I do?

Dear Readers,

Talking directly with someone on the phone may seem like an antiquated form of communication but it’s not dead yet. And it probably never will be. Many conversations benefit from the participants hearing each other’s tone of voice, or recognizing that the other person is either hesitant or in a rush. The ability to detect or insert meaningful pauses mid-sentence or paragraph can also be quite useful. Example: (long pause, then in a voice that’s barely audible)…I love you, too.

Telephone conversations often play a key role in the hiring process. While your resume may be selected by a computer programmed to scan for key words, getting hired almost always requires follow up screening by a key individual, via telephone, in person, or both.

As a reporter for Time Magazine for 20 years, I got comfortable calling people out of the blue and firing questions. It’s a handy skill. You need to proceed with equal parts friendliness and self-confidence, explaining succinctly at the outset what you need and why.

Those who don’t have much practice making “cold calls,” can help themselves by writing out what they want to say and rehearsing ahead of time. While that may seem like overkill, it can be a huge confidence booster. Rachel David, an intern for this column, dislikes using the phone a great deal. Pressed by me to do some reporting, she wrote out her introduction ahead of time. “At least I know if my brain falls out, I can keep talking,” she says.

If taking calls is more anxiety-producing than making them, try to figure out what is worrying you. For many people, it is the fear of getting roped into doing something they don’t want to do by the person on the other end of the line, be it their supervisor or mother-in-law. If that’s the case, politely tell any caller who is pressing you to do something unreasonable that you need time to consider the request and will reply shortly. Then take the time you need to formulate your answer, call back, and politely decline. Both of these little speeches can also be written on notecards, kept by the phone, and rehearsed in advance.

Dear Readers,

Job hunting expert Richard Bolles, author of the bestseller What Color is Your Parachute?, has long considered doing a thorough self-assessment as a prelude to a successful job hunt.

In addition to releasing a revised edition of Parachute, due out this fall, Bolles has produced a cheaper, more concise guide designed specifically for job hunters facing today’s brutal job market: The Job-Hunter’s Survival Guide: How to Find Hope and Rewarding Work, Even When “There are No Jobs” (Ten Speed Press, 2009). Even when pared down, self-assessment continues to be a key element of his advice.

Having a thorough inventory of your skills can help prevent you from turning into a “job begger,” Bolles says. It’s important to go into every interview knowing that, “I’m going to be a helpful resource,” and if not at this particular company, somewhere else. The point of an interview – which we are more likely to forget when we are worried about our next paycheck – is for both parties to determine whether there’s the possibility of a good fit.

Evaluating your fit with a perspective employer requires you to know the parameters of your own skills. Bolles offers useful exercises to help readers develop detailed descriptions of their past accomplishments. His list of 192 transferable skills will help you expand your ways of describing your duties. Among the choices: acting, founding, recommending, traveling, testing, expanding, enforcing, imagining, memorizing, and unifying.

My absolute favorite activity is Bolles’ list of seven possible goals to describe what you were trying to do at your last job:

• Working with the human mind, trying to bring more knowledge, truth or clarity into the world.
• Working on the human body, trying to deal with the need for shelter, food, and clothing, or health and fitness.
• Working with the eyes and other senses, trying to bring more beauty into the world.
• Working with the human heart, trying to bring more love and compassion into the world.
• Working with the human will or conscience, trying to bring more morality, justice, righteousness, or honesty into the world.
• Working with the human spirit, trying to bring more laughter, spirituality, faith, compassion, forgiveness, love for God, into the world.
• Working on the Earth, trying to ensure more protection of the planet.

You may find that more than one of these descriptions fits your goals. “If ‘just keeping busy,’ is your answer, then think of what goal you would like to have been working toward,” Bolles writes.

Another bit of unusual advice offered by Bolles is to ask your interviewer a straightforward question at the end of the last round of interviews: “Given what we’ve discussed, can you offer me this job? It would help me a lot to know.”

Bolles believes this is the most efficient way to get some feedback about your chances. “What’s the worst thing they can say?” he asks. His reasoning: If the interviewer says no, then you have some closure on the process in a timely fashion. If you get a more positive response, then you’ll also have that feedback more quickly than you would if you had been less aggressive. “We don’t ask a lot of questions because we think we already know the answer,” says Bolles. That insight actually applies to many situations, beyond job hunting.

Bolles encourages readers to create a description of their own dream job. He doesn’t expect you’ll find it, but if you at least know what you’re looking for, there’s more of a chance you’ll find a position with some overlap.

Bolles divides job hunters into two categories. The first group is composed of people who are so driven by the vision of their dream job that “they are searching with every fiber of their being,” he says. The second group is composed of applicants who have “already cut out the dream and so are only half-enthusiastic” about their search.  Who would you hire?

And what about the Internet as a job search tool? Bolles estimates that only 10 percent of job hunters land a position via internet searches, and he suggests limiting them to 10 percent of your effort.

His estimate of the success rate of those who do a thorough self-assessment is much higher: 86 percent. You choose.

I’m on the verge of quitting my job. My boss and I do not get along. If I quit, would I be eligible for unemployment insurance? I am tempted since the federal government just extended benefits for another 13 weeks. A smart move?

Dear Readers,

The prospect of collecting unemployment benefits is rarely a good reason to quit your job. In fact, it’s generally true that if you quit, you are not eligible for benefits. This safety net was designed to lend support to those who lose jobs through no fault of their own.

That said, most states have some exceptions for extenuating circumstances. In Wisconsin, for example, if you quit because your paychecks bounce or you have to relocate to a different market to keep your job, you may be eligible. In Connecticut, you may be entitled to benefits if you quit for “good cause,” which may include reasons like caring for a seriously ill child or spouse. Even so, you have to be available for full-time work.

Because unemployment is administered by each state and the rules change periodically, it is important to check with your state labor department to find out the latest requirements. Even if you do become eligible for collecting unemployment checks, either because you are downsized or quit for what is ruled “good cause,” you will be required to engage in a job hunt. Since you are unhappy in your current situation, why not get a head start?

Interviews Galore

My friend is applying for an executive position. She’s been interviewed more times and by more people than for any other job she’s ever held, and still there’s been no decision. What’s going on?

Dear Readers.

Now that the high unemployment rate has put employers in the driver’s seat, they are being more selective than ever. They also more cognizant of “the costs of making a wrong decision,” says John Challenger of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the Chicago-based outplacement firm. Often it takes six to eight months to realize that a mistake was made, says Challenger, which means at least half a year’s salary can be wasted.

Consequently, employers, whether they are hiring executives or temporary employees, are beefing up their screening process, confirms Mike Steinmetz, vice president and general manager of Manpower Inc.’s Midwest division. “Some of the larger firms have been trying to reduce risk through multiple rounds [of interviews], getting multiple people involved,” he says. Rather than be interviewed simply by a prospective supervisor, for example, a candidate also may have to meet with the supervisor’s supervisor to make sure there is a consensus on the hiring decision.

The hiring process is also more likely to include “behavioral interviews” and other sorts of assessments, such as skill tests. Behavioral interviews incorporate sets of questions that “attempt to elicit a candidate’s behavior in concrete situations that parallel what might be found at the company,” Challenger says. When Steinmetz interviews candidates for managerial positions, for instance, he typically inquires about difficulties they encountered and how they dealt with them. “I don’t want all rosy stuff,” he says.

Steinmetz notes that “soft” skills, such as leadership, teambuilding, conflict resolution, and the ability to motivate employees who are not direct reports, are highly prized. The best way to prepare for an interview nowadays, adds Steinmetz, is to come with some specific examples that can illustrate any number of these traits. “If the illustration can answer two or three questions at once,” that’s great, he says. “I like it when I don’t talk very much.”

With so many layoffs, Steinmetz notes, many “A-players” have been downsized. Whether companies are hiring new employees or hiring back old ones, “they are trying to upgrade their staffs by identifying and adding the available A-players.”

Candidates do not have to be proficient in every single area. Screening also helps employers identify areas that need coaching or on-the-job training once you are hired.  Most of all, you want your interviewer to view you in the following way: as someone who is reliable, trusthworthy, teamwork oriented, inquisitive, and always looking for a better way to do things. “I much prefer someone with those skills and mediocre technical skills than the other way around,” says Steinmetz.  That’s because technical skills are more easily taught.

I’ve got a disability that’s not obvious to anyone but that can occasionally make it hard for me to work. It is usually controlled by medication, but that’s not 100 percent reliable. Is this something I should disclose during a job interview?

Dear Readers,

If you are a job seeker wrestling with this question, you are not alone. Depending on who is doing the estimating, somewhere between 17 and 32 million people of working age (16-64) have a disability. As defined by the U.S Census, a disability is “a condition that limits or prevents working.”  Even almost two decades after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was drafted to provide equal opportunity to people with disabilities, this group has among the highest unemployment rate in the U.S.

Whether you are disabled or not, take a minute to think about the various ways a disability can affect someone. An enlightening chart in Richard Nelson Bolles’ book, Job Hunting for the So-called Handicapped (Ten Speed Press, 2001), may broaden your perspective. Under the heading, “No Two Disabled Persons Are Alike,” the chart lists some of the variables. For example, some disabilities are hidden while others are visible. They may range from mild to moderate to severe to profound. They may have occurred at birth (congenital) or after age five (adventitious). They may affect one’s ability to see, hear, speak, move, think or learn, or feel or behave. In areas that are not affected, the disabled person may be normally or extraordinarily gifted. The disability may be viewed either as a disaster or a challenge, and it  may result in social isolation or support.

If you have a disability that is not always apparent, deciding whether to disclose it to a prospective employer can be a difficult decision. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society offers a worksheet on its website that can help anyone think through this issue, whether you are wrestling with a permanent disability or temporary medical condition. It lists possible emotional reasons you may want to keep the condition to yourself (I feel guilty.), or tell others (I feel dishonest – I’m just not comfortable keeping it a secret.). It lists practical reasons to consider as well (Examples: I need to take time off for medical appointments; I’m afraid of a bad job evaluation; I need an on-the-job accommodation; or I need a medical leave of absence.)

The MS Society’s accompanying “Disclosure Decision Worksheet” helps people chart the possible positive and negative consequences of your decision, based on why you are informing your employer, whom you tell, and how much you say.

If you decide to disclose your condition, or you have no choice because it’s readily apparent, Bolles lists numerous employer fears that you should plan to address. Among them, along with his advice, are the following:

It may cost more to hire this person: If hiring you will entail no extra costs, make that clear. If you will require some accommodations that cost money, lay out the expected expenses and provide an upper ceiling on what it will cost, expressing your commitment to come in at or under that figure.

I don’t understand the disability, and I’m afraid to ask: Ask the interviewer if they have any questions. Explain what you do well, what your limitations are, and list the things that you’ve learned through being disabled.

Won’t this person be a safety hazard?: Share your past safety record.

What if it doesn’t work out and I have to fire her. Am I inviting a lawsuit?: Explain that people with disabilities are fired at the same rate as everyone else.

This applicant may have trouble communicating with other employees: Make sure that you are articulate and animated during your interview. Demonstrating your communication skills is the most effective way to allay fears along these lines.

What if a person with a history of mental illness turns violent on the job?: Discuss a potentially volatile situation in the past that you handled with aplomb.

Still up in the air? Additional information and guidance can be found from the Job Accommodation Network, a government-funded website that covers job accommodations, self-employment, and small business opportunities. Another useful source is the Epilepsy Foundation of America.

I need a full time job, but the American job markets seem closed. I hear that working internationally is the way to go, but the change is so huge that I don’t know what to think of first. Pointers?

Dear Readers,

Many of us have spent years carving out niches or boosting our resumes. However, we’ve managed to overlook the fact that we already have one basic skill that’s in demand on an international level: command of the English language. But before you sell your house to move to Cabo, Mexico, consider the following:

Language: While knowledge of the local language could be an asset, it should not be your focus when targeting a new workplace. Many foreign employers offer local language courses while allowing you to use your English in the office. Employers prefer people with a desire to learn over more arrogant, semi-proficient speakers.

Location: Picking the correct location could be the difference between being gainfully employed and living in a box. When picking a country, be sure that you can bring a rare skill to the table. For example, knowing business English is handy in China, but Australia needs more than just communication skills.

Type of work: Not all jobs are available internationally. For example, a Macy’s store manager in the U.S. might not necessarily be able to manage a Műller department store in Germany. However, teaching seems to translate internationally, especially if you’re willing to teach English as a foreign language.

Finances: Finance management is one of those daily luxuries we take for granted in our native land. Set up direct deposit and you’re set anywhere, right? Au contraire. If you direct deposit with a local bank in your adopted country, you might get hosed when you try to bring your savings home. If you decide to cash your checks rather than deposit them, the exchange rate could take a hefty chunk out of your pocket, depending on when you exchange currency. The best way around these issues is to find a U.S. bank with branches in your country of choice. That makes it easy to bank whether you are in your new home or back in the States.

Banking is not your only financial worry. Be warned that American citizens who work full time abroad still need to file taxes in the U.S., even if they pay taxes in the host country.

Cultural Concerns: Even if a country is geographically close, you may feel, culturally at least, miles apart.  Even if you share a common language, that does not mean you are culturally fluent. For example, a smile does not necessarily indicate happiness or humor in every locale. If you make an off-color joke and a Japanese listener is smiling, it could mean that he is uncomfortable. In Europe, constant smiling isn’t as welcome as in the U.S.  Some Europeans take it as a sign that the grinner is cognitively disabled.

Fortunately, cultural research is easy to do. Start with the country’s government home page for the basics. If you are thinking of settling in Costa Rica, for example, doing an Internet search for Costa Rican culture brings up several informative sites that cover areas like race, class, religion, and traditions.

Sounds straightforward enough. How do I get in on these sweet gigs?

The Internet is one stop job shopping, and there are many reliable websites that post jobs on a daily basis. Dave’s ESL is excellent for English teachers, and just about any Google search will bring up a slew of jobs. Just be sure to use your Internet common sense. If the “employer” asks for money, a bank account number, or your social security number, do not give the information out! These requests are sure signs of a scam.

If you’re fearful of third party websites, you can begin your search through the American and foreign governments. The Japanese Embassy sponsors an international teaching program called the JET Programme to advance cultural and linguistic exchange.

It’s still a big world full of opportunity out there, enhanced by the fact that technology has brought us closer together. If you have had a long job search, don’t lose heart; by considering relocation, you’re expanding your odds of finding a home for your unique talent set.

(Researched by Rachel David)

I’m out of work and thinking about starting my own business, but I’m worried that I’m not entrepreneurial enough. I’m used to having a boss and the security of having a regular paycheck. On the other hand, I believe I have a marketable idea. Plus, right now I don’t have any other options. My dilemma: Should I spend my time looking for a new job or trying to get my new business off the ground?

Dear Readers,

You cannot answer this question yet because there are too many unknowns. My best advice is to first tackle of the question of whether you are likely to enjoy running your own show. If the answer is yes, then try to figure out how long you can afford to try to make it go. Once that period runs out, you can reevaluate your situation.

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Here again, there is no simplistic answer, as if either you do, or you don’t. Instead consider a series of questions: Would you enjoy being in charge 24/7? What will be your benchmarks for success? How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Would you prefer to form a partnership with someone else?

Fernando Trias de Bes, author of The Little Black Book of Entrepreneurship: A Contrarian’s Guide to Succeeding Where Others Have Failed (Ten Speed Press, 2008), notes that 90 percent of businesses dissolve within four years and believes that examining those failures can help you make a realistic assessment of your own prospects.

The owner of a marketing firm in Spain, Trias de Bes believes that one common mistake is failing to distinguish between being spurred by a “motive” (I lost my job, or I hate my boss) and having the “motivation” to be an entrepreneur. The latter means being someone who “enjoys the uncertainty and insecurity of not knowing what will come tomorrow,” he says. He also suggests that you need “enormous, colossal and infinite enthusiasm” to drive away thoughts of failure.

The third characteristic, tenacity, is so necessary that it can make up for deficits in the other two. No matter how solid your entrepreneurial spirit, you need persistence to succeed.

But what if my main motivation for becoming an entrepreneur is to work less and earn more?

Then you may take inspiration from the success of Ernie Zelinski, who realized such a thing was possible 25 years ago after he was fired from his engineering job for taking an unauthorized vacation. Currently self-employed as a writer and speaker, Zelinski has recently reissued his book. Career Success without a Real Job: The Career Book for People Too Smart to Work in Corporations (Ten Speed Press, 2009). Zelinski claims that since that fateful firing, he has lived a happier, freer, and consequently more fulfilling life. He claims to make a “decent” living by working only four or five hours a day. He notes that a book he wrote in 1991, The Joy of Not Working, still earns him about $15,000 a year in royalties.

He agrees, however, that it takes enormous effort to get a new business off the ground. In fact he says it’s important to “forgo the pleasures of today and think long-term.” Other requirements include selecting work you truly enjoy, and being willing to accept both rejection and getting paid sporadically. “Don’t make your main purpose earning a lot of money,” he writes.

Zelinski’s view of an “ideal” business is one that is much like his own, which requires little start-up capital, low overhead, no employees, and, with that, the opportunity to make money early on. Many areas that fit this description are information related, such as consulting and event planning. He also lists “cool, unreal jobs,” such as cabaret singer, game designer, and massage therapist.

Whether or not you ultimately launch a new venture, seriously considering the pros and cons is a worthwhile exercise. Everyone should explore his or her entrepreneurial options periodically. It gives you valuable insights into your own character, abilities, and potential roadmaps forward – all things that are worth a great deal.

I am a director of a college-level educational service who routinely spends much time hiring new employees. Standards are high and hiring is competitive. Applicants can find very specific application instructions including minimum job requirements and information about our services in many places: on the application itself, our website and brochures, and by simply visiting (and even using) our service in person.

Despite all of this easily available information, my last three interviewees have had 1) little or no idea of what we do and/or 2) spoke incorrectly to the point of insult about our services and the people who use them. They all expected me to then explain to them what it is we do – essentially to do their homework! (They all arrived either 15 minutes early or late, and addressed me by my first name.)

What happened to preparing for an interview? What about learning as much as you can about the job beforehand? Being on time? And while we’re at it, being courteous and adopting an appropriate level of formality?

Dear Readers,

You can see from the above letter that job applicants, especially those who are still in school or who have just graduated, still have to learn the basics when it comes to interviewing for a job. All job applicants need to realize the importance of making a good first impression – and that it starts from the first piece of communication, even if it’s an email.

If you are a teacher or parent, please share the above letter with your students or children. You will be doing them a huge favor.

And Once They’re Hired?

I overheard an employee treating a customer disrespectfully. She’s generally a good employee, but she has gotten very defensive when I have tried to correct her in the past. Any advice?

Dear Readers,

Even the most skilled manager can have difficulty keeping her criticism constructive. But that’s generally the goal. Sound advice can be found in Richard Gallagher’s new book, How to Tell Anyone Anything: Breakthrough Techniques for Handling Difficult Conversations at Work (AMACOM, 2009). Gallagher, a corporate trainer, suggests “starting at a safe place,” which means first asking the employee about her reaction to the customer. He suggests a three-part approach: 1) observation: “I can tell you’re frustrated,” 2) validation: “Lots of people feel that way,” and 3) identification: “I’d be frustrated if that happened to me.”

Gallagher admits that putting that much energy into being supportive of people who are doing something wrong initially “feels like drinking poison to people.” But he claims it is useful because “It makes it clear you understand their view of the world, so they have nothing to argue about.” This sort of understanding gives you power for the next step: engage the other person in solving the problem.

Next comes the step of asking questions about the situation. In this case it would be something like, “What are your expectations for interacting with customers?”  “The goal here,” Gallagher writes, “is to be curious, not furious.” After some back and forth, it is easier to be frank about the problem. You might say something factual about the need to hold onto customers. And explain that keeping customers requires that each customer finish a transaction feeling respected, even if they don’t seem to deserve it.

Finally, you should ask for her help in meeting the company’s goals regarding customers.

Gallagher offers several options that reframe criticism: Instead of telling people they are doing a bad job, tell them what standards they could meet to help them do a good job. Instead of saying what is unacceptable, let them know what will work better. Instead of telling them to change, show them how they will benefit.

In real life, following a several-part approach when you are angry about an employee’s or colleague’s behavior is no easy task. Gallagher suggests stepping away from the situation, if you can, until your emotions calm down.  He also points out that this sort of approach requires much practice.  If you have trouble with it, try again the next time. Even occasional interactions that incorporate empathy and reframed criticism can vastly improve overall relations in a workplace. So don’t give up.