Can You Write? Can You Speak?

If you think that your career might be stalling because of your poor writing and/or public speaking skills, and you are looking for coaching in either or both, contact me at pat@vanhaste.com. I am a CT and VA certified English teacher, who has also taught Writing, including Business Writing as well as Public Speaking on an university basis.

I will not write business reports, etc for you, but I will edit and proofread, at the same time coaching you to do the same. I will not write your public presentation for you, but I will get you ready to write and present it yourself.

Let me help you present your best self and finally learn those skills you never quite got when you were in school.

Have an Interview Appointment? Are you ready to Sell?

Modern interviewing may no longer be the standard one on one conversation in a private room, or even one versus a panel of interviewers in a private room. Today's interviewing may and can include time spent with potential colleagues or direct reports, and even a formal presentation to an audience of any size.

Be aware that when you interview, it may be suggested first that you sit with some future colleagues and/or potential direct reports to you. Do not be fooled...this is still an interview and how you interact...the comments you make, the questions you ask, will all be mulled over and reported back to the hiring manager. ...will you fit in? are you knowledgeable about the company...the industry? Be yourself...but be prepared.

The next step may also be a formal presentation, with you as the presenter. A topic will be suggested and you will be expected to prepare and speak for the amount of time allotted. What do you do? You research your subject, practice your presentation, have a look at the room and check your equipment beforehand, dress appropriately, know everything that you can about your audience before you meet them, and then do your best. The key here is preparation, so call in a consultant with a background in public speaking preparation (like me!) to get you ready. Remember, the most sought after skills by any employer today are communications skills...the ability to read, write, listen and speak well. If you can do all of these well, you can do anything.

Add Google + to your List

Think LinkedIn is enough these days when job seaching? While LinkedIn is still the number 1 source to get and give information when career changing and/or job searching, Google+ is up and coming. I advise my clients to have a LinkedIn (and use it), a Facebook page and now a Google+ presence. Fill each and everyone of these with keywords that reflect your area of expertise. Make yourself easy to find by hiring managers and recruiters. Use these tools to search out information on others.

Is Your Career Stagnant?

I see clients every day who profess a real need to change careers. They are convinced that their present situation is so unpalpable that a 180 degree change is necessary. One question that I ask right up front is whether or not the present career can be "sculpted" to make it less stagnant and more rewarding. Many say no.....but frequently, most begin to consider it, based on the current uncertainly of today's economy. What do you do when you think your current career is stagnant?

First, realize the importance of your mind set. Look at what you enjoy in your present career. Look at what is working and how you can get rid of, or at least lessen, what is not. Be more positive and more flexible.

Second, self-consider. Consider what your ideal work world would look like and then think about how to get there.

Third, how are your skills? Are there job tasks that you do now that you need to do better? Be open to further training and education and take advantage of any offered. If it is not offered, go get it yourself.

Fourth, do something. Action can mean progress. Talk to a career coach, to your boss, to anyone who might help you. You will be glad that you did.

The Start Up of You

Thomas Friedman, the author, recently posted a blog on this topic in the New York Times. He commented on his vision of the hiring future in this country and it will truly be survival of the fittest. Employees of the future, according to him will have to "turn on a dime"; in other words constantly stay current, constantly add value, constantly reinvent. Entirely new mind sets and skills sets will be necessary, including getting rid of the "grand plan". Perpetual career planning will be the key; keeping on top of what industries are working and growing will be necessary, and being able to "role with the punches" will be paramount.

How will our schools adapt, especially the schools of higher education? Who will be responsible for training these future employees, especially in encouraging entrepreneurial vision? I think that the responsibility for training the future US workforce will lay squarely on each individual in it. As I mentioned above, survival of the fittest will be the name of the game. Think about it.

Background Checks, Anyone?

As I coach and consult with clients, when we discuss job search techniques, I emphasize the importance of being careful with one's online presence. Not only do potential employers google the applicants to gain information, but now also scour the web, social networking sites in particular looking for digital dirt, and using this as a basis to say "no thanks" to an applicant. In fact, the Federal Trace Commission has authorized Social Intelligence Corp of Santa Barbara, CA to sell reports on checked applicants to employers and those files can last for seven years.

Be also aware that you might be very careful, but your Facebook "friends" might not be so. You could indeed be linked to someone nefarious and be cast aside due to guilt by association. Remember, this is legal; right now this company uses human analysis; however, before too long, this too may be "outsourced" to more and more hi tech software.

What can you do as a jobseeker to "remedy" this? Right now, not much. Your best bet is to clean up digitally as much as you can, and then blog, write articles etc. Establish yourself as an expert in your field, a "go to" person who writes authoritatively and well. At least as you add positive items to your web presence, you can push down any others that can potentially hurt.

Are You Female, Good in Math, and Want to Get a Job?

Recently, The New York Times published a blog by Ariana Gardella, who helped start Network Equipment Technologies, a company that went public in 1987. She is now chairwomen of Coraid. She is also a professor at Stamford.

Ms Gardella talked about how she got into technology because she was good in math and was economically motivated. She feels there is no real barrier to women in technology and urges women to take advantage of technology courses at the university level. CEO's she claims, do not come out of HR; they come out of product development and marketing in technology based companies.

She recommends that girls get involved in computing by first grade. She wants to see games and contests that appeal to first and second grade girls rather than boys. Little girls like the idea of saving the world, and she feels that technology solutions will play a large part in our efforts to build a better society in the future.