Wanted: Hero’s

Now there’s a position you don’t see advertised everyday. Would you even apply for a job with such a heady title? Does it fit you? Are you a Hero? A Hero, redefined according to Carol S. Pearson in her book The Hero Within, is a person who sets out on a quest, tackles problems and discovers the value of their true selves. So, in a way we are all Hero’s – or potential Hero’s anyway. We probably have just never looked at it beyond the storybook fantasy definition – the dragon slayer savior of towns and lovers.

In her book, The Hero Within, Ms. Pearson states, “In many companies, employees formerly believed that if they worked hard and were loyal, they always would have a job. Now this loyalty contract has broken down. The result is that workers not only are anxious, but feel that they alone are responsible for their futures. Yet if they are smart, they do not hunker down in fear. They find their own vocational purpose and develop a commitment to their own work and its quality – whether they stay with their present employer, move to another job, or start their own company.”

One way to start out on your quest is to take time to evaluate ‘what it is you truly love to do’ and set out on a journey to make that happen in your life. Stay true to what is you and you can tackle the dragons along the way. Where can you go to begin this journey? Take a look within by taking a self assessment. A good one that is relatively low in cost can be found at http://www.assessment.com. Another great program is Career Clarity.

So, as Carol Pearson points out – be smart, don’t hunker down in fear. Find your purpose, develop a commitment and bring out the Hero Within!

Posted by Robin Ogden -  FiredUP Careers

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I just read an article in the CS Monitor titled Job Prospects Good for College Grads in the US, written by Tom A. Peter. It points out that college grads are in demand. Hiring is picking up and job search should be short lived. Now that’s good news! Why is it happening? According to the article companies are fast preparing for the departure (retirement) of the Boomers. This is paving the way for New Grads to successfully land their dream job.

But, what about the New Grads that are feeling ‘green’ bound and want to march to the tune of social responsibility? What will it be like for them to find a position? In the article Tom points out for us: “Additionally, companies may start appealing to this group of grads’ sense of social responsibility. “An important element of attracting and retaining talent is creating a workplace and a work culture that stands for something, that is engaged in the community,” says John Challenger president of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an outplacement firm in Chicago. Among other things, he imagines companies will draw attention to their environmentally friendly polices to lure green-minded grads.”

This brings to mind a wonderful resource recently developed and published by Carol McClelland PhD called the Green Job Search Guide. The Green Job Search Guide includes:

• 30 job boards and 86 recruiters focusing specifically on positions within environmental/sustainable companies.
• A comprehensive chart outlining the offerings of each job board.
• A one page review of each job board that provides 18 key pieces of information including the number of job listings, the geographic range, and the available job categories.
• Overview of the unique features of each job board.

To download a copy of this valuable guide click on this link

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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Here is a great chance to see Guy Kawasaki (Garage.com) in his element. There is a ‘free’ Salesforce Developer Conference on Monday, 5/21 at the Santa Clara Marriott from 9a – 5p.

Here is some information from the event site on SalesForce.com

“Don’t miss this free event—it’s the season’s hottest happening. Join hundreds of developers, managers, and entrepreneurs who are combining Web 2.0 and the Salesforce Platform technologies to create the next generation of business applications and companies. You’re in for an extraordinary day, filled with inspiring keynotes from industry visionaries and intense breakout sessions designed to enhance your technical and business skills. Plus, join us in the Developer Lab to get some hands-on experience and pick the brains of our experts.”

Check out the site for information on top keynote speakers and what the sessions will consist of. If you’re in the Bay Area this is a great opportunity to learn, network and stay up to date with what’s going on in the marketplace.

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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When Tony Robbins talks you can see something just pouring out of him – literally flooding his audience.  What is it?  What drives Tony?  I think it is in the Giving.  It is what motivates and drives him.  He wants to (and does on a daily basis I’m sure) g-I-v-E. 

He believes that we should know what drives us and then go for it, because that is where we will find our passion and begin to give in a way that is pure and fulfilling.  I believe that is true and if you apply this philosophy to your career - know what drives you and what you love to do - and then go out and make that happen, you will really begin to Dig What You Do!

Tony you rock! When you leave this world, which we all will, you will live on as a shining educator and motivator of human potential and spirit.  You make us ‘think’ about who we are and how we can be better everyday for our families, our world and ourselves. 

So, what does Tony think shapes us?  Take a look at this video clip on YouTube – you’ll see what I mean when I said, “something is pouring out of him”.   He says fulfillment is an art.  What do you think?

 BTW:  Ok, this might just be me, but I’m not sure who handled Tony’s wardrobe for this talk.  He is probably the one person who could lecture in this and still leave with credibility intact.  Don’t head out for an interview in this though!  (Heads up – there is some R rated language in this clip – at least for us adults…ha!)

My business partner (Chris Fogarty) was giving a workshop the other day and one of the attendees asked her how you could find work/life balance with your job when you are overwhelmed with all of the work that needs to be done. In other words, it sounds nice to say that you want balance, but achieving it is another thing all together.

How do we do it? There really is no single answer to that question. Since ‘balance’ is something that you need to work on actively in and of itself – balance really is equal distribution of weight, right? So, in order to achieve work/life balance you need to stay in touch with both sides of the equation as they tilt back and forth – a teeter-totter if you will.

The best place to start this balancing-act is with you. After all, you are the one carrying all the weight that needs to be distributed. It is incredibly important to spend time getting in touch with ‘what’ makes you tick – in all aspects of life. This can be a daunting process, especially if you’ve never really spent time with Y-O-U. But, without this process nailed down you will have a difficult time deciding how you want to distribute all the activities of your life (including your work) as well as what you want to leave out. This is part of what can create the ‘overwhelm’ in your life. Lack of awareness around yourself may mean that you are taking on things in your life that you would carve out if you were more aware of your true needs.

An assessment that I have taken which I found to be extremely enlightening is called the DISC Profile. You can fine the online version here: http://www.discprofiles.com/orderonline.htm

If you are working in a corporate environment (or planning to) I would recommend the test that includes not only ‘you’ individually, but the team dimensions test too – which will give you an enlightening view of how you operate in a team environment.

Some other good personal assessment tools can be found on http://www.assessment.com

Go ahead, try it and get to know yourself inside and out.

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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did not exist in 2004 (now that’s eye opening isn’t it). If MySpace were a country it would be the 11^th largest in the world, and the number of text messages sent per day exceeds the total population of the planet (so, how many did your kid send… ha!).

Anyway, came across this slideshow on Guy Kawasaki’s site and found it enlightening. The information is amazing and you’ll get even more mind boggling topics from this ‘thought-provoking’ slideshare presentation ShiftHappens - designed by Jeff Brenman based on a slideshow by Karl Fisch (a teacher in Colorado).

The slideshow is a contest winner - it’s great so don’t miss it.

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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Is it true?

In Seth Godin’s blog he makes a comment – ‘you’re far better off helping the perfect improve’. As I thought about it more deeply there is a very good point to this. In my mind he is saying the old adage ‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink’ – and boy is that true. In other words, if someone doesn’t want to improve then it is simple… they won’t. In fact, they may go as far as to sabotage any opportunity for improvement in order to stay in the status quo, or what they are familiar with. Whether it is good, bad or limiting – it feels normal, therefore comfortable. Why should they change?

When this is applied to someone’s career it is also very true. The spectrum ranges from the trailblazers, or those who have a mindset geared around career/personal growth and success, to the whiner-diner’s – or those who always believe it is someone else’s responsibility to make success happen for them. Those folks usually have a ‘story’ around why they are not successful (and that story is like a finger pointing at someone else). Success comes to those who reach for it…again, and again, and again. In other words, it is less a destination but a mindset and a belief that the buck-stops-with-you. To me, Seth’s comments pointed to a success mentality, those that have a desire towards continued improvement, a belief around oneself that captures both possibility and ingenuity.

Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers

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Mother’s Day is just around the corner - a day we Mother’s might get breakfast in bed (ok - I said ‘might’). Although we’ve got our special day marked on the calendar once a year, when it comes around I can never help but think (in the back of my mind) that the dishes are piling up and laundry still awaits. If there is one thing we can always count on, it’s laundry and dishes.

I came across this great article in iVillage.co.uk and just got a great laugh. Hey Moms, our day is coming up soon and its fun to review our basic job description. The article is below, or you can grab it on this link. Pass it on to a friend - have some fun and Happy Mother’s Day!

POSITION: Mother

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long-term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24-hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends, away sports matches and occasional visits to casualty. Travel expenses not reimbursed.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Must provide on-the-site training in basic life skills, such as nose-blowing and shoe-tying. Must have strong skills in negotiating, conflict resolution and crisis management. Ability to treat flesh wounds a plus. Must be able to think outside of the box but not lose track of the box, because you most likely will need it for a school project. Must reconcile petty cash disbursements and be proficient in managing budgets and resources fairly, unless you want to hear, ‘He got more than me’ for the rest of your life. Also, must be able to drive motor vehicles safely under loud and adverse conditions while simultaneously practicing above-mentioned skills in conflict resolution. Must be able to withstand criticism, such as ‘You don’t know anything.’ Must be willing to be hated at least temporarily, until someone needs extra pocket money for the cinema. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the garden are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zips. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and co-ordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organise social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the nextMust handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys and battery operated devices. Also, must have a highly energetic entrepreneurial spirit, because fund-raiser will be your middle name. Must have diverse general knowledge, so as to answer questions such as `What makes the wind move?? spontaneously. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required, unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION: You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered, the job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Posted by Robin Ogden -  FiredUP Careers

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There is still time for those who will graduate this spring to prepare themselves to find and get a good job. New College graduates face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to getting that first job. Many employers, however, want fresh new ideas and employees with lots of future potential. With 20% of all workers with college degrees either unemployed or employed in jobs requiring only high school skills, there is help for the college grad who doesn’t want to settle for a job in which they are undervalued and under-challenged.

Our experience in working with new graduates has consistently reinforced our belief that the most important skills needed are in interviewing. Knowing how to approach an interview, how to anticipate and respond to difficult questions, and knowing how to project confidence in the interview are the skills most often lacking in new grads. In the last 10 years we have worked with thousands of job seekers who face various challenges. Our philosophy is that life is too short to be stuck in a boring, unfulfilling, dead-end job.

One of the major challenges for new graduates is to believe it is possible to get an exciting, fulfilling job that offers opportunity for growth and advancement. We work with far too many people who are depressed, bored, and entirely too focused on their jobs. When we love what we do, work becomes energizing. Just as boredom and depression on the job will spill over into one’s personal life, so do happiness, energy, and fulfillment. People who feel stuck in inappropriate jobs tend to spend more hours working than people who are happy in their jobs. One reason for this increase in work hours is low productivity. A vicious circle results from job misery. Unhappiness makes us less productive; lower productivity requires us to work more; working more in a job we hate makes us unhappy.

Our advice to every graduating senior this year is that your preparation for your job search and your knowledge of what you want can help you find the job of your dreams. You will be successful in landing the perfect job if you can learn and accept certain critical job-seeking principles:

· You don’t have to settle for a job in which you will be miserable

· Fresh ideas and new insights are valuable assets

· You can go after the job of your dreams

· You can learn to ace the interview

· You can get a job that allows you to maintain balance in your life

With a positive attitude and preparation around the following questions, you can find the job of your dreams and ace the hiring process:

· How do you answer a question about experience when you have none?

· How do you explain to an interviewer that you want a job you can be passionate about?

· How do you respond to people who tell you everyone begins with an unsatisfying job?

· How do you successfully handle the first phone call from an employer?

· How do you prepare a powerful professional pitch?

· How do you present the best image?

· How do you deliver a solid interview, leaving a positive, lasting impression?

· How do you stand out from the pack?

Preparation around these and other critical questions can make the difference between landing your dream job and getting stuck in a boring job with no future. Why not plan to land the job of your dreams?

Posted by Robin Ogden -  FiredUP Careers

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