Have you pushed yourself lately? When was the last time you really felt that you faced a difficult task or opportunity? Today, I challenge you to take "The 30 Day Difficulty Challenge".
Write down something you've been wanting to do for a very long time, but have yet to take it on because it seems too arduous. In 30 days, get back to me on how you were able to face that challenge, and what steps you took to make it happen.
I'll share some of my past Difficulty Challenges in future posts.
One year to the day that I resigned from my prior job, the memories and pain of leaving are still there. Although I left on my own, I was in a work environment with a few people in the company who didn't care about me nor about my contributions. It was a difficult situation to be in, and I received apologies from my former employer for the pretty terrible situation I was in. However, the pain still remains.
Despite my success since I left, it still hurts thinking of the poor treatment I received. It's amazing sometimes how work situations become so bad that employees leave like I did. However, it doesn't mean you can't find success elsewhere (as I have).
My advice to any of you going through a similar situation - find a better environment, start your own business, do what you can to find support.
From now through May 31st, I'm offering 17 minutes of career advice for $17. To sign up for this very special offer, contact me at robertjbraathe@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.
With your 17 minutes of career advice, we'll have a scheduled phone call, video call via Skype or GoToMeeting where we will go over your resume, a brief mock interview, and give you some tips on how to get the next great projects.
All proceeds from this special offer will go to the Robert Braathe Leader's Award Scholarship, awarded each year to a student at UMass who demonstrates unique leadership qualities. This years scholarship is being awarded this evening at UMass to Jitesh Kumar Khushalani '12, the first two time recipient of the scholarship.
Here at Albany.com, there are a variety of resources for your job search and career aspirations. Visit albany.com/jobs for the latest area job postings, interviewing tips, educational services, and more.
What's great for both job seekers and employers is the local and fresh content. As an employer, it's easy to post a job and find a great new employee. For job seekers, you can find jobs that are current and relevant.
The best and most productive people on the planet are the ones who under promise and over deliver. Nothing irritates people more when people say they are going to do things, say they are going to be present, and then lack the follow through.
As a recruiter, employer, colleague, friend, relative, and acquaintance, I urge everyone to challenge themselves to make less commitments this year, and instead deliver and do instead; even a maybe is better or I'll try is better than a yes that turns into a no-show, a lack of effort or followthrough, or an apology.
This year, I've noticed the top performers among my students, clients, interns, and friends and family are the ones who do about 10 times more than they talk; they leave the talking for while they are doing or for after they have done.
This evening, I'll be having an open house for my business from 630-9pm. My interns and I will be here answering questions about business, websites, education and more.
It's a great opportunity for you to come in with your HR or business related questions, or just to meet some of the up and coming business professionals that have worked for me the past few months on my virtual internship team.
Office is at 12 Circular ST in Saratoga Springs.
If you can't make it tonight, our next "event" will be Thursday May 19th from 9am-12 noon.
Last year, I wrote an article about businesses that close on Sunday. Today, I'd like to share with you some ideas on how to keep your business going 7 days a week without having to worry about opening your doors.
1. E-commerce - what can you do to move some of your sales online so you can process orders or reservations even when you are out of the office? There are too many free or low cost tools available that can give you some work/life balance and efficiency
2. HootSuite - do you find social media is making you too busy? Use a tool like HootSuite to schedule your posts ahead of time, and allow you time off when and where you want it.
3. Share office space with another business - perhaps you can buddy up with another business who will work Saturdays while you work Sundays if you feel its necessary to stay open on those days - then you can both have weekend coverage without the need for both of you to work.
4. Stagger your management coverage - some of the best companies will give employees Sunday Monday or Friday Saturday off to allow for some work/life balance. By alternating people's days off, you can be open 7 days a week while still allowing people to have balance.
What ideas do you have for keeping business flowing 24/7/365 without breaking your back or breaking the bank?
I had the pleasure of attending a panel discussion at the Inc.com GROWCO Conference on HR featuring:
Jamie Naughton - Speaker of the House at Zappos
Shawn Boyer - CEO and founder of snagajob.com
Michael Alter - CEO and founder of Surepayroll.com, Inc.com blogger
Some points from the presentation on removing poor fits from a company:
Jamie Naughton cautioned on how keeping a senior leader around has an imprint on their department which can last a very long time. One particular poor fit was let go, and two years later that person's negative impact was felt.
I asked the panel how companies can get rid of someone based on an aberrant personality. Jamie said that it depends on the state, but "The risk associated with not letting someone go is greater than the risk of a lawsuit." Shawn said that "Termination should never come as a surprise." Michael said that "you can't be afraid to fire" people.
I'll share more from this great conference in future posts.
I'd like to share some interviewing tips that could land you the job...
BEFORE
Do your homework! Research the company; their mission(s), future, past, culture, and key players. Do so by exploring the company's website, and check search engines for recent press releases. Know how the company runs to persuade them with the benefits you have to offer them specifically.
Over analyze the job post. This allows you to communicate your previous accomplishments through examples that specially demonstrate the skills their looking to acquire. Rehearse a Q&A session concerning; previous jobs, future, strengths, and weaknesses.
DURING
Be prepared! Bring extra copies of your resume, a pen, paper, and questions you'd like to ask. Body language counts. Do show openness and confidence by; smiling, making eye contact, leaning forward, chin up, good posture, and articulating clearly. Don't let your emotions or nerves get the best of you. Try not to fidget, clear your throat, play with your hair or attire, cross your arms, or bad mouth previous employers.
Don't bypass proper etiquette. On time means arriving early! Switch off your mobile phone, dress appropriately, and never chew gum. Avoid salary talk, unless the employer brings up the topic. DON'T FORGET business cards. Leave yours and take theirs, this will help you with your follow-up.
AFTER
Send a thank-you email or letter. In this ask when you should check back about your interview results.
Always remember interviewing is a two-way street. Identify whether this company suits your personal needs and desires. Remember you are the asset they are seeking to score!
NYS Department of Labor, (2011). More interview tips Retrieved from
http://laborbuzz.ny.gov/?p=9731
NYS Department of Labor, (2011). Perception is reality - body language counts
Retrieved from http://laborbuzz.labor.ny.gov/?p=9580
I was impressed that for one of the few times someone got my name right on the first try. I was at the concierge desk in Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo, and the concierge looked at my license and said "Hello Mr. Bra-THAY nice to see you!". I was impressed, because I had never been there before and actually was staying up the road at the Cosmopolitan.
When someone has a tricky last name like mine, it's so important to be polite and ask how its pronounced; better yet, if you are the owner of the last name, introduce yourself first.
In Norway, its pronounced "Brawta", but when my grandfather came over they pronounced it this way instead.
So when you meet me for the first time, start with the word bra, combine in with a th like at the end of the word tooth, and add an ay (not aye but ay like in day)
I'm attending a thought provoking conference for entrepreneurs in Las Vegas presented by Inc. Magazine. In just 5 hours yesterday, I met entrepreneurial leaders in HR, web design, logistics, manufacturing and more. As well, many of us took a tour of Zappos headquarters and received a couple great books on Zappos culture.
Often, we may take a look at a price tag for a conference or event and base our decision solely on that alone. I can tell you that from my experience at the prec-conference alone, this has been money and time well spent.
Today, I'll be attending a number of presentations from authors and entrepreneurs, as well as attending a networking breakfast and lunch, a Tweetup meeting, and a beer tasting, followed by a night seeing O by Cirque De Soleil.
I was going to post a picture of myself making some punchable faces, but decided that I want to keep my beauty intact. However, I am amazed at the number of punchable faces that I see doing presentations, sitting in crowds, or on television.
It's not a matter of how people look, but sometimes how the expressions they make bring about nothing but disgust for what is displayed.
If you want to attract people to your idea or business, a smile does go a long way. A frown, scowl, or unpleasant disposition can instantly turn off customers.
I tell people that sometimes I think I was kidnapped and transported back from the future because of my lack of understanding for having scheduled office hours every day of the week. I see a day in the future where it won't be necessary to have set times where you need to have your office open.
With that in mind, I've set forth a pretty informal way of scheduling office hours, as most of my work I can do from wherever I am at.
Today, I began using Twitter to promote when I'll be in my office for hours. I prefer to spend more time in my on-ice (working remotely from whereever I am at) than in my office, but I felt it was a good way to establish some consistency and clarity on when people can pop in to say hello.
Keep an eye on my office hours @galaconcierge on Twitter. Today, I'll be here from 930-1230pm. This weekend, I'm heading on a business trip to Westchester.
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