Reality TV Wisdom For Your Career

Reality TV is ubiquitous. It seems there is nothing that can't serve as a reality series premise, doesn't it?

Regardless of whether you watch reality shows or not, you're probably questioning my posit that there is wisdom to be mined. First, a caveat - I don't watch a ton of reality shows, so can't speak to all. However, I've stumbled upon a couple that I've been watching when I get the chance.  Guess what??  I really did find some tips for career and job search success from 3 of my favorites that I'd like to share.  Read on to find out how ABC's Shark Tank, Bravo's Tabatha Takes Over and NBC's The Apprentice can make you more effective at work:

Shark Tank: 
I don't know about you, but I am fascinated by the entrepreneurial mind. On Shark Tank, a panel of 5 sharks (investors) assess pitches by entrepreneurs and decide to invest...or not. Watching the pitches and observing the sharks' reactions is like sitting in on a mini MBA course on business valuations, marketing, presentation skills and finance. And earning a shark's support can send an entrepreneur soaring into the success-o-sphere. On a recent episode, shark (and technology innovator) Robert Herjavec decided to invest 300K with Guitar Buddy creator Travis Perry. Within hours, the demand for the product crashed the site. Travis has since hired additional staff and is on his way to $ucce$$!

Shark Tank Lesson: No matter whether an idea truly is the next best thing since sliced bread or not, the sharks always zero in on numbers and data. Their enthusiasm for an idea takes the back seat to prior sales figures and demonstrated success. As a jobseeker or someone looking for career advancement, can you provide objective data to support your abilities? You've got to be ready to share quantifiable evidence of your success and strengths to make your case as to why YOU are an organization's SOLUTION!

Tabatha Takes Over:
If salon owner and biz coach Tabatha Coffey comes into your workplace, get ready!  She whips small businesses into shape with a no-nonsense, lean-on-the-warm-and-fuzzies approach.  As a successful business woman, she has a knack for lasering in on organizational dysfunction as well as incompetence, and isn't afraid to talk about it!

Tabatha's Lesson: Constructive criticism can transform your skills...if you're able to accept it.  Show after show, Tabatha shares her considerable expertise with newer stylists. Some are wide open to it, asking additional questions, implementing her suggestions and, consequently, improving their skills. Others immediately move to the defensive, sadly squandering an opportunity to learn best-in-class techniques from a master stylist.  Whether you're a jobseeker or not, continually leverage opportunities to learn from those who are further along the learning curve! Check the ego and open the mind.


Celebrity Apprentice and The Apprentice: 
Both iterations of the show feature Donald Trump as the boss who must fire someone at the end of each episode. Celebrity or civilian, the final boardroom meeting (where someone is always let go) is often an exercise in incredulity. It usually goes something like this: Team member A is shocked and dismayed to be named one of the least contributing members for that week's project. He/she purports to have worked diligently and contributed significantly to the project.  It's not too soon after that Mr. Trump decrees 'You're Fired' and we cut to the tearful contestant in a taxi, heading to the airport.

Apprentice's Lesson:  Working hard is important.  But it's also important to be sure your boss understands what you're doing and how you're contributing to departmental goals.  It's the work version of one of the great philosophical questions... 'if a tree falls in a forest...'

One More Lesson...
I remember another reality series that aired on PBS several years ago - Frontier House.  Modern day families lived as if they had gone back in time to other eras - mid/late 1800s, for example.  From this I learned that I would not have made a very good frontier wife or mother. I'm not sure how that tidbit will impact my life or career, but it's tucked away for future reference!

All the best,

Carol

More on Music and Your Job Search

I knew it!! 

Your playlist CAN change your life... 

and it's the premise of a new book by brain-computer systems expert Don DuRousseau and Drs. Galina Midlin and Joseph Cardillo called  Your Playlist Can Change Your Life (Sourcebooks, 2012).  The trio has collaborated to share their expertise on brain research and performance and how music impacts how we think, feel and act.

Recently, I wrote about music to inspire job seekers (http://www.lookingfortheonramp.blogspot.com/2011/06/music-to-job-search-by.html).  My recommendations included tunes that I find inspiring and uplifting, either because of lyrics, melody or both.  It turns out there is actually a physiological connection between music and our brains and bodies that has to do with the song's beats per minute, brainwaves and even lyrics. And according to the authors of Your Playlist Can Change Your Life, there are ways to harness the power of music to increase its impact and boost your performance on various tasks.

The authors' website has lots of great suggestions for playlists for organizing, feeling better and even increasing your alertness.  My own ipod has playlists for creating (mostly instrumentals), writing (heavy on Joni Mitchell - her phrasing and imagery clear the pathway from my brain to the paper like no other), and walking (high energy tunes to keep me moving fast).  I plan to incorporate some of the strategies from the book to build even better playlists!

How about making your very own job search playlists?  Consider creating 3:  one for when you're working at your computer, one for listening to when you're on your way to interviews, meetings and networking events, and another soundtrack of sorts to play while you're visualizing your career success.

Happy listening!!

All the best,
Carol
http://www.lookingfortheonramp.com/
twitter: @OnRampJobCoach
facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Looking-for-the-On-Ramp-Job-Seekers/161075907266538

7 Ideas to Consider For Job Search Success in '12

Alas...the season of resolutions is upon us!

The dawn of the new year is a great time to take stock...and to check in and re-calibrate your job search.  Below are 7 ideas for  you to consider as you begin to look for a job or work to move your search to the next level:

1.  Step away from the computer.  It's very easy to get caught in a cycle of applying to online job postings as your sole job search strategy.  Is it possible to find a job this way?  Yes.  BUT - you significantly increase your chance of job search success by developing a comprehensive strategy that includes other techniques, too.  Screen time is not a substitute for face time.  Add in appointments and networking events along with a few other techniques and see how your search heats up.

2.  Zero in on your personal brand. Personal branding is a very hot topic - for good reason. Determining who you are, what you bring to the table and what sets you apart from other job seekers is well worth your time and effort.  Your resume will be stronger, your interviews more focused and polished and your brand will carry over into career success.

3.  Leverage social media.  Are you using LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to their full job searching potential?  The statistics are very clear - social media can help you in your job search.  On the flip side, it can also have a negative impact.  Be sure your profiles are polished and professional and that any questionable photos and posts are DELETED!!

4.  Join professional organizations and associations.  There is networking gold out there just waiting for you!!  Since you won't be spending so much time in front of your computer (remember #1??), you'll have time to attend local networking events, alumni gatherings and professional association seminars.  Have a supply of business cards and be ready to share your brand through a powerful 'elevator pitch.'

5.  Ask for help.  Resume writing, interviewing, job search strategy development...they are not what they used to be.  If you're using the same techniques from years ago, time's a wastin'...and time IS money.  Get help.  Hire a career coach and/or resume writer who will help you by creating a powerful resume loaded with keywords that will market your skills and successes.  He or she can also help you to develop a super job search strategy as well as prepare you to ace interviews.  For details on working with a career coach/resume writer, email me. 

6.  Go the extra mile whenever you can.  Follow up after networking events, send thank you notes, make phone calls, prepare for interviews, ask questions...there are so many opportunities to distinguish yourself as a job seeker.  It's surprising, though, how many candidates don't take advantage of these.  You, however, will be sure to do so from now on!

7.  Remember that you are someone's solution.  Yes, it's true.  There is a recruiter, HR staffer, manager or coordinator who needs you on his/her team.  Your job is to make yourself easy to find.  By incorporating some of the ideas listed above, you will be on your way!

All the best,
Carol
carol@lookingfortheonramp.com
908.399.7652
http://www.lookingfortheonramp.com/