Posts filed under 'Uncategorized'
Job Search Calgary
What’s up in Calgary? I just popped onto Workopolis.com – Canada’s biggest job site offering more than 50,000 jobs – looks like there’s a lot of opportunity over there. Do you live in Canada and are searching for a job or perhaps thinking about making a shift in lifestyle and maybe even moving to Canada?
What’s it like in Calgary anyway (besides being one of Canada’s richest cities and the fact that Calgary’s unemployment rate is 4%)? Well, the oil industry pays some of the highest salaries and if you have a specialty skill in that arena apparently it is much easier for you to find a job. Plus as livingin-canada.com says, housing in Calgary is relatively inexpensive, additionally they note some inviting ‘positives’ about the location such as low taxes (hey – who doesn’t want that?), low unemployment (beats what’s happening in California’s Bay Area), clean and beautiful environment, clean air (need I say more?), Chinook winds (whatever those are) that bring mild days in winter, fantastic winter sports (I bet…too chilly for me), friendly people, affordable housing (did I say that already?), and a river (I mean two) runs through it. This place is sounding mighty good – although I’m not a huge snow/cold buff. But, if you are you might want to check out a few of these job links:
Maybe you’re ready for a change and this is just the place for you.
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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1 comment July 31, 2008
Is Google losing its Glam?
Great post by Deb Perelman – IT Grind on Google and the undercurrent inside of Google’s outer charm. Is their charm wearing off? Some people think so – according to Perelman’s post:
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“Is working at a company that does your laundry, gives you free food and lets you sit on bouncy-ball chairs kind of like being a kid again? More than one former Googler has argued this as they walked out the door–it was fun for a while, but it got old.”
“Google hires programmers straight out of college and tempts them with all the benefits of college life. Indeed, as the hiring brochures stress, the place was explicitly modeled upon college… But as the gleam wears off the Google, I can see why it’s no place anyone would want to hang around for that long,” said blogger Aaron Swartz.
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Additionally, I just read a story in the New York Times , written by Joe Nocera, – ‘On Day Care Google Makes a Rare Fumble’ – talking about the huge increase (nearly 75%) in day care costs that Google will be passing on to its employees. Day care at Google will move from $33,000 to $57,000 a year. Yikes… that’s a big chunk and Google is hearing it from the employees.
What’s becoming of the giant who offers everything for free (or close to it)? If there’s one thing I know about working for companies who have provided loads of freebies and low cost extras – once you start raising the price and taking away the ‘free espresso’ – so to speak, things begin to tumble. Morale takes a beating, hiring gets tougher, product delivery suffers, stock slips…whoops – is Google on the same slippery slide many other giants have taken? Is Google fast becoming: just another company – as Nocera’s New York Times story states?
What’s your take??
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment July 14, 2008
Green Careers – a win/win solution
If you’re wondering where to find opportunities in the green marketplace, check out this article on Wetfeet.com which states that “Green building is another rapidly growing sector. Its revenues barely registered 10 years ago, but today it is a $12 billion industry that’s being embraced by hotels, hospitals, homebuilders, and corporations.”
“Going green is painfully easy” says Angelo Anastasio, Founder of Greenable. In a video produced by Career TV, Angelo talks about impact of going green and how easy it really is.
Check it out and ‘think green’.
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment July 10, 2008
Is Networking in Your Genes?
I took an assessment some time ago called The Birkman. It was a great insight into my interests, usual style (how people see me), my underlying needs, as well as my stress behaviors…great assessment. The coach interpreting the assessment for me said “Robin – you are a true networker”. It is true, I love to connect with people, chat (hence…blogging to take care of those times when I want to talk and no one is around!) and basically see where I might have or know of something that will help someone with a need of their own. I just love connecting people to answers or pointing them in a helpful direction – makes me feel good! (That’s the ‘what’s in it for me’ part).
So, networking is in my genes – but, what if it isn’t in yours? Some people just loathe the ‘networking’ term. They envision the old used car salesman adage – everyone standing around a networking meeting with a big smile on, trying to figure out how to use everyone else to get what they need.
But, what if you could just reframe this for a moment? What if you had something to offer (knowledge or resources) that could help someone with a need they have? (Now, don’t say you don’t…) And, likewise – what if you’re talking to someone and they have a resource that can help you? This is all networking and connecting. It’s the connection that is important. Stay away from thinking of it as if you’re shark bait (or maybe the shark).
Focus on finding out what others need and see if you can fill the need – you’ll see how good that can feel and how quickly you can build strong personal and professional networks. Reframe the way you think about networking into a tool that helps you help others. It’s easy – just decide you are going to think differently (reframe) and then do it.
In Michael Dulworth’s book: The Connect Effect; he notes “Few of us are born successful networkers…” “To accelerate your personal and professional growth, you need to make the active development and enhancement of your networks a priority in your life.”
Ok – get out there and try something fresh and new. If you’re not sure where to start check out our links page where there are loads of suggestions.
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment July 9, 2008
Stimulate Your Mind
Are you in a job search rut? The solution just may be stimulating your mind in a different way. Take the focus off of your search for a bit and dive into new possibilities. I’ve come across this fabulous website TED – whose mission is ‘spreading ideas’. Here you can find a world of information, inspiration and creativity. From their website:
The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). This site makes the best talks and performances from TED available to the public, for free. More than 200 talks from our archive are now available, with more added each week.
I watched Benjamin Zander’s talk and came away with the feeling that anything is possible. What an incredible speaker and inspiring leader. His enthusiasm is infectious.
So, take a break from your rut and stimulate your vision…give your entrepreneurial genes a rush!
From Benjamin Zander ; “Imagine if Martin Luther King had said “I have a dream…but, I’m not sure they’ll be up to it”.
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment June 25, 2008
Smash the Ladder – realize your dream job
Came across this weekly radio show created by Diane Danielson and Anita Bruzzese of Downtown Women’s Club. This particular show is spent with Alexandra Levit who has written a new book “How’d You Score That Gig?” I haven’t read the book yet, but the radio show is great – good tips on how to find your dream career, ways for the different generations to work in partnership, etc. Lots of good information included. There are plenty of other shows to listen to surrounding career information such as; negotiating, how to use blogging successfully, networking, what to do with linkedin, and more at Blog Talk Radio.
Good stuff!
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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2 comments June 23, 2008
Best Places to Work
If you’re digging around in research mode trying to find out more about great places to apply your skills and talents you might want to take a look at San Jose Magazine’s issue on ‘50 of the best places to work’. In this issue they focus on the top companies in the Bay Area “who offer incredible benefits, great camaraderie, cool perks, free food, and even soothing onsite massages”. Now who doesn’t need that??
Yes, of course Google is in there, as are Apple and HP (we would expect those). But, there are others who get less mention in the media, such as: Lam Research in Fremont, Linear Technology Corp. in Miliptas, Fortinet, Inc., in Sunnyvale and DemandTec in San Carlos, etc. - the list goes on.
Mainly technology companies (that’s to be expected since they are measuring Bay Area companies), but there are also others such as Perkins Coie LLP, The Trium Group and SRI.
It’s worth reading to get an idea and some balance around what you’re getting now vs. what’s out there with regard to other job perks. You’ll find the article here - you may need to scroll through a few of the articles, but it is in the Nov. ‘07 issue (a few months old, but good information).
Posted by Robin Ogden - FiredUP Careers
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Add comment June 3, 2008
Women’s Wellness Forum – San Francisco
I was reading an article in Fast Company that referenced a site I haven’t been on before – Upcoming.org
Great site to find out what’s going on in any location you desire. I found the Women’s Wellness Forum event (see info. below) coming up in San Francisco on June 2, put on by Invent Your Future and numerous other organizations as noted.
Invent Your Future “is a professional development company that is accelerating the success of the next generation of corporate and entrepreneurial women leaders.” They have a great site with lots going on – from online events to partnering events, conferences and loads more.
Here’s information on the Women’s Wellness Forum from their site:
Join Microsoft, Sutter Health, Burke Williams Spas and Clif Bar & Company at
The Invent Your Future Women’s Wellness Forum
June 2, 2008, 12pm-6:30pm
Microsoft Conference Center
Westfield Center
835 Market Street, Suite 700
San Francisco, CA 94103
FEATURING
Dr. Nancy Snyderman, Chief Medical Editor, NBC News, Author of “Medical Myths That Can Kill You.”
Margaret Sabin, CEO, Sutter Health Partners; Vice President, New Product Development, Sutter Health
Sheryle Bolton, Brain Fitness Software Entrepreneur, Former Chairman & CEO of Scientific Learning Corporation
DISCOVER THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR SUCCESS
o Learn how to keep you and your team healthy and productive
o Foolproof ways to reduce stress at work
o Life-changing strategies to maximize brain power
Why do we need a Forum on Women’s Workforce Wellness?
o More days are lost annually for sick leave in the US than in any other country;
o “Job/career” has replaced “finances” as the leading cause of stress for most people
o The US spends more than $2 trillion on health care annually and those costs will continue to accelerate if we don’t change
the way we take care of ourselves;
o More companies are getting serious about improving the health of their workers;
o Wellness programs have measurable success, cost savings and documented outcomes;
o Women are the catalysts for disseminating healthcare information in their offices, homes and communities;
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment May 30, 2008
First 90 Days
In Michael Watkins’ book - The First 90 Days - he states that “The actions you take during your first three months in a new job will largely determine whether you succeed or fail”. So, why do so many people go into this period of time so unprepared? Better yet, just what can one do to best prepare for their first 90 days?
For the purposes of this particular blog post let’s focus in on some tips for those who are beginning a job with a new company – unfamiliar territory.
Here are five tips to get you off to a good start:
Prior to your first day: Make sure you research your new company; its products, competitors, news releases, staff. Read up on anything and everything you can find about the company. Much like you would have done before heading in to the interview. Review all your research and any new materials you can find. If this is the first time you have performed the position you have been hired for, take more time to research information about the position and check your network for anyone who currently performs a similar position – ask questions and get informed. Don’t take on a ‘sink or swim’ attitude, leave sinking out of it all together and plan to ‘swim’ – keep your mind focused on success.
Build your network: Introduce yourself to everyone you come across in the organization – don’t isolate yourself expecting others to take the first step. You must take the first step. The sooner you get to know people the sooner you can begin to build your ‘internal network’ and gather allies to your success.
Orientation: If your company has an orientation process that’s great. Write down questions you may have come across in your research and get them answered – either by the HR team or your manager. Make sure you find out what departments you will be interfacing with and who the management teams are. Make a point to introduce yourself to these people specifically.
Image: Take time to acquaint yourself with what’s expected with regard to dress and image. Don’t make drastic changes from the ‘you’ they got to know during the interview process. Although you may not need to don a suit daily, stay on the conservative side. Let them notice your work and your success before they notice a change in your appearance.
Side note: this reminds me of the time that I was hiring an administrative assistant. She was the epitome of professional – interviewed in a conservative navy blue suit, very polite and soft spoken; a real gem. She was hired. Within the first week I was in total shock – she cut her hair into a version of a Mohawk – with one bald side and one shaggy. She came in wearing huge baggy overalls rolled up to the knee to show her multi-colored striped socks, which rose above her army boots. A real shocker – to say the least.
Listen and discover: Make sure that you are a listener and not always the one jumping in with the answers. Show respect to your team members by listening to all they have to say. Don’t take on a ‘been there, done that’ attitude. Get to know what your coworkers are doing and the challenges they face.
These are just a few tips for you to incorporate. The list is numerous and you should research and consider all the points you want to put into action during your first 90 days. Create a success plan and check list to be sure you stay on track.
Good luck!
Posted by Robin Ogden – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment May 29, 2008
Resume Update Tip
Whether you’re looking for a job or not (but ‘especially’ if you’re looking) you will need a text resume that is up to date and in style/current with today’s marketplace.
Here’s a quick tip: If the top of your resume contains an “Objective Statement” that reads something like: Looking for an opportunity where I can apply my expertise in XYZ in an environment that offers growth and advancement”… you’re in the dark ages. Get that thing updated! You must build an objective statement that tells the employer what you will bring to ‘them’ – not what you want them to provide for you. Today’s career marketplace is no longer about what’s in it for you – you’ve got to stand out by telling the employer what’s in it for them if they hire you. A strong entry statement on your resume is a must.
Here’ a better profile/objective sample that I came across in The Gallery of Best Resumes:
A creative graphic design/illustration professional with more than seven years of proven talent; expert in designing graphics and illustrations for textbooks, catalogs, magazines and Web pages coupled with an amazing understanding of composition and color usage. Excellent project management skills. Ability to establish rapport with individuals at all levels, analyze needs and develop appropriate materials within project scope.
Ok – if I’m looking for a graphic designer this entry paragraph tells me quite a bit about this person. More than likely I’ll read more of the resume because I can see right up front that there are several areas this person can contribute to in my organization. I’d be curious and want to read more. And that’s what you want your text resume to do - keep ‘em reading and get you in for an interview…right?
If you’re stuck on how to update or what to say to make your resume stand out in the pile contact our resume expert – Christine, she has helped thousands of individuals with their resumes and will provide you with a ‘free’ resume review. You can’t lose!
Either way, the number one rule is to keep your resume up to date at all times, whether you’re actively looking for a job or not. You never know when you’ll need it and you don’t want to miss out on prime opportunities.
Posted by Robin – FiredUP Careers
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Add comment March 21, 2008
