Titles

So many people live and die by titles or job titles. Once upon a time a job title totally defined the duties and expectations. Today job titles vary as much as there are jobs. It is so easy to tailor the title to fit any and every position and they are. They are helpful sometimes as reference points but don't totally rely on the title itself.

If you want to use a title then why not make your own and define it. Don't be a slave to titles as you may miss the best opportunities when you needn't. A title is designed to be a snapshot of what you do or what is required. Pretty hard to engulf everything we do and any position.

Companies only need to change a few duties and a name title to make your old one obsolete.

Were you blindsided?

Being blindsided is just that, you never saw it coming. Over the past few years it has seemed to me that more folks are being blindsided. They receive a good annual review, get a salary increase then bingo they are let go. Many times they are called in and notified that the company is making changes and their position has been eliminated.
Sometimes upon questioning they realize that someone else will be performing their old duties with a few changes and a new title. (Titles is another topic to be discussed later) Sometimes people are allowed to apply for the new position and can be successful but not too often. There are many reasons for this.

The question becomes "what to do?" What can you do? Sometimes you can do nothing yet doing nothing has a foreseen outcome. Continuing education is helpful. That doesn't always include classroom or a degree, although it can. Reading, attending seminars, hearing specialized speakers, some TV programs and networking are all great ways to stay current.

Pay attention to what is happening at your company, read current articles about your field and product. Be on the look out for better ways to do it. Don't just sit back and wait for change to happen, be on the leading edge to improve.

Who are you meeting with?

Come on now, who is it? Are you finding new people to meet and exchange information with? Remember that you are an excellent resource for others whether you know it or not. You need to push the envelope and get out there meeting new people everyday. The fewer people you meet the longer you may be searching for your next opportunity.

Your ability to assist and help others, in whatever capacity, is paramount to you finding your next opportunity. Just try it.

Are you believable?

Do you ever get the feeling that when talking to an interviewer you're not really being heard? You know, with all your education, experience and desire to return their look just isn't convincing to you.

Have you thought maybe you don't sound believable? How does one sound believable? You need to employ that sound of confidence that let's the other person know that you know what you are talking about. The education and diplomas are great but you need to have that sound of believability or confidence to make the difference.

Toastmasters stands ready to assist you.

It's never too late

Just when we think there is no other way, or all hope is lost or we can't do it remember that "It is never too late" to find another and better way. Usually the problem lies in ourselves when we try to do it differently yet we follow the same steps that didn't work in the first place.

There are ways to assist with this though. Like going to sleep on it and starting fresh the next day. We can also call upon friends. Today we can research the Internet and find more information than we need.

To see outside the proverbial box we need to get out of the box.

Resumes

Some of you know that resumes are not a favorite of mine. Recognizing they are a necessary evil and many potential employers require them, you do need to have one, or two or as many as needed.
Many times resumes are used as a rejection tool. They are perused for items that take you out of the look. From that point the remainders are scanned again and a few are kept for interviews. That is what they were designed for in the first place, to see more people in less time.

Many states provide assistance for putting together as good a resume as you can. There are numerous professionals that will do the same. Your friends can assist you.

It is far more beneficial to meet people face to face and if they ask for a resume ask them what they want to see in it. (Pam Gross and Peter Pasgill)

New and innovative

Are you new and innovative? Are you aware of the driver less cars that Google has out and about? Taking pictures of neighborhoods. Cars that talk to one another to assist in avoiding crashes. Cars that know when one wheel is slipping and are capable to make corrections. All these are already here, not just wants anymore.

You have many more talents and abilities than you know. One way to discover them is to get together with others, whether one on one or in small groups. Through discussions many discoverable talents become uncovered. As you learn what usable talents and knowledge you have you can determine how they can be put to use.

Your job is to discover yourself then sell yourself.

Happy New Years 2011 !

It seems like just yesterday that we were heading into the new millennium. Remember "Y2K" and the fear that the world was going to shut down? Now we are 11 years past that and everything seems to be humming away.
In 2000 would you believe you might have a Smart Phone that could do all they do?

New Years is as good a reason to refresh and get busy again. Making those calls, revisiting friends and colleagues. Setting appointments to help others. Work on your branding, maybe have a mantra. Seek new rocks to turn over and be much more creative than in the past.

Onward and upward.