Cherish Your Circle

Today I learned of the death of a friend from ALS. Last week the news reported that over 800,000 people have died from the Covid virus. Life is fleeting and nothing is promised. I think that it is important to let your friends and family know that you love them.

Interviewing and Your DiSC™ Style

This morning as I was walking the dog my mind wandered to DiSC behaviors and personality styles. My mini dachshund mix has a mind of his own and wants to follow the same walk day after day. I switched things up see how he would react to a different walk and sure enough, he pulled his leash to our regular path. On the way back, he automatically turned to walk along the street that we didn't originally take. I thought to myself that this little dog has a dominant S behavior; he doesn't like change and he is very predictable.

Interviewing and your DiSC™ Style

Lately there have been a great deal of articles written about perfecting your resume or interviewing tips, what to wear on the interview or what questions to ask. What I haven’t seen is how your personality comes across in the networking, telephone or in-person interviews. I think that understanding style, both your own and the interviewer may help during the interviewing process. While there are many types of personality profiles, I’d like to concentrate on the DiSC™ definition of style.

History
The DiSC™ behavioral assessment is based upon the research of William Moulton Marston (1928) on how people respond to various effects in their environment. Studied and modified over the years, the DiSC™ is a tool used to not only assess your behavior and “personality”, but to also help you understand other people’s styles. It is used in businesses to enhance teamwork, to improve communication and customer service, to reduce conflict and value the differences in others.

DiSC™ Styles
While people are a combination of styles, the DiSC™ Classic states that in certain situations such as work, people usually behave in a consistent manner and fall into certain quadrants. These styles are described as Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientious. Their accompanying behaviors are described below.

D: Dominance
* Getting immediate results
* Causing action
* Accepting challenges
* Solving Problems
* Questioning status Quo
* Taking Authority

i: Influence
* Contacting people
* Being articulate/optimistic
* Generating enthusiasm
* Creating motivational environment
* Participating in a group

S: Steadiness
* Performing in a consistent manner
* Developing specialized skills
* Be a good listener
* Demonstrating patience, accommodating and considerate 

* Creating a harmonious work environment

C: Conscientious
* Attention to key directives, details and standards
* Thinking analytically and using a systematic approach to situations and activities
* Being diplomatic with people
* Using a systematic approach

DiSC™ Style and the Interview Process
Many times we are called to our line of work based upon our personal likes and also our behavioral styles. For example, a scientist may be high in Conscientious, while a sales and marketing representative may be high in Influence. A manager may have high Dominance tendencies and a writer may be higher in the Steadiness arena. Various job descriptions also highlight the competencies the employee would need to satisfactorily complete the job. These competencies obviously vary by job but as you read them in the job description or posting, pay attention to the wording. Descriptions such as “detail oriented,”, “team player”, “focused”, or outstanding customer service skills” give you an idea of the type of behavior needed for the job.
In an interview, either networking, telephone or face-to-face, your personal DiSC™ style and that of your interviewer should be taken into account. While it is critical to be prepared with behavioral examples of your past accomplishments, it is also important to consider how you come across to the interviewer.

1. Reflect on your own style. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? For example, if you are an “I”, you may find yourself presenting too much information when asked a question. Make sure you are prepared with succinct, clear examples of your accomplishments.

2. Follow the lead of the interviewer. The chart below describes some of the behaviors demonstrated by the DiSC ™styles.

Dominance
Direct
Forceful
Decisive
Quick

Influence
Gregarious
Persuasive
Pleasant
Influential

Steadiness
Passive
Patient
Team Oriented
Active Listener

Conscientious
Accurate
Factual
Diplomatic
Systematic

If you are interviewing with a ‘D”, make sure your responses are direct and succinct. While you may feel pressured to respond quickly, make sure you take time to think through your responses.
If you are interviewing with an “i”, and this is not your personal style, make sure that you are cordial and pleasant.
The ‘S” interviewer may seem relaxed and amiable, but they are deliberate in evaluating your responses.
While courteous and diplomatic, the “C” interviewer is interested in your responses to problem solving and decision making situations. Make sure you give this interviewer all the detail they ask for.

The Last Word
If you are overwhelmed by the thought of interviewing and understanding personal style, just concentrate on yourself. Understand your own style and recognize that you may respond to certain questions or situations based upon that style. Whatever you decide; plan and prepare for your interview with a complete understanding of your own accomplishments, your expectations and an understanding of the company you are visiting.
For more information about DiSC™ styles, please visit any of the websites devoted to the study of DiSC™ behavior.

Finding a Place for the Four Critical Business Skills in Your Resume

The American Management Association published a list of the Four Cs or the four critical business skills needed to succeed in today’s work environment.

The skills are:
1. Critical Thinking and problem solving
2. Communication
3. Collaboration and team building
4. Creativity and innovation

How can you make them work for you in your job search? You can include them in your resume professional skills (only if you have them and can state accomplishments relating to them). You can also add them to your brand or impact statement and your cover letter. Make sure that you can come up with real accomplishments related to these skills. Finally, include them in your LinkedIn skills.

While preparing for an interview, try to come up with STAR (Situation, Task, Actions, and Results) examples of where you have used these skills. Tie them into your previous work or outside activities. Also, while reviewing any company information, look to see if there are any references to these skills in the organization’s mission and vision statements. Think of ways these skills can be used with the products or services this company provides.

Some last thoughts; while these skills have been around most workplaces forever, many companies are only just realizing the impact they have on company growth and the bottom line. Also, in these days of the leaner workplace, these skills are just plain necessary. Finally, needless to say, don’t overlook the skills and competencies stated in the job description. You may find some overlap.

Creating a Career Plan

 

When planning a job search, the first thing many people do is update their resumes. Unfortunately, they get to the heading and stop because they only know what they “used” to do and don’t know how to properly articulate everything that has happened since them. In my book, Job Search for Moms I explain how to start the process of identifying your likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses.

 The first big step in any job search or career change is to put away the resume. That’s easy enough. The next step is to clear your mind of everything and focus on two specific areas: you and the job.

Focus on You

Take some time to reflect and jot down your answers to these questions. Try to do this exercise yourself and then ask friends and family if they have anything to add. This not only helps you create a resume but it also prepares you to answer critical interview questions.

• What did I like about my previous jobs?
• What activities did I enjoy?
• What type of work energizes me?
• What don’t I like to do?
• If I could do anything, what could it be?
• What are my interests?
• What are my values?
• What type of personality do I have?
• What am I really good at?
• What am I really bad at?
• What skills do I have?
• What skills have I developed over the years that I use away from work? (Volunteer activities, work with the college activities, etc.)
• What are my needs in regard to salary, benefits, workload, childcare, hours? (Add all your concerns here.)

There are many great (and free) on-line tools that will allow you to assess your skills, interests and personality.

 Focus on the Job

Once you have identified your skills and interests, think about the types of jobs that may interest you.

• Take a free career assessment
• Review the jobs defined in the Occupational Outlook Guide from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
• Review the resources available at your public library. Ask a librarian for assistance.
• Go to the familiar job search engines such as Indeed.com and look up the various positions that may interest you. Review the wording and match your skills and interests to these.
• Draw a two column chart. On the left list the skills needed for a particular job. On the right list your accomplishments in your former job, volunteer activities or work at home positions that align to those skills. This exercise will help open up various fields and allow you to focus on creating a resume/plan to further look into those fields.

Focusing on you and focusing on the job are two huge accomplishments and once you get past these, you will be well on your way to creating a career plan.

Facebook Nonsense

Yesterday I posted that both my personal and business Facebook accounts were hacked. I also posted something on Twitter and LinkedIn about the same issue. I hash-tagged Facebook in both places because I wanted to let them know that they have lousy customer service - actually...they have no customer service. Not that they even care, mind you.

In Twitter, the only responses I received were from people advertising the hacking services of themselves or their friends. These are all services that will charge me to try to reopen my accounts. How do I know that these people aren't the same people who hacked me in the first place?

It's pretty remarkable that people are actually paying someone to reopen their Facebook accounts while the actual company, a GIANT company whose "leader" has sat in front of the Senate does absolutely nothing. Why? I believe that it is because they don't care and they know that all those people who crave their social media interactions will do anything to get it back; including paying for it. 

In the meantime, all my job search posts will be redirected. It is a shame and it makes me very angry.  #facebook #hacker

 

Facebook Hacking

If you are following my business page on #Facebook please note that both my personal and business accounts were #hacked. Unfortunately #Facebook has no customer support and does not appear to be taking steps to stop these breaches or provide any assistance to their customers to help them. Please update your Facebook security often because once you are out, you're out. You won't be getting any guidance from the giant that is #Facebook. #ransomware #cybercrime #cybersecurity #databreach #hacking #privacy

I will post job search related materials on LinkedIn and on Twitter.

Politics and Work

Have you noticed all the political back and forth on LinkedIn lately? Well, if you're in the job search mode, you have a 50/50 chance of being totally accepted or rejected because of your comments right there in your Activity section. If you're going to participate in these political debates/discourses make sure to switch the button to "Hide" in Edit My Profile. Think about the repercussions about that; especially if you are name calling. (Don't forget about your Twitter and Facebook feeds). 

Be cautious. The employer may very well move on to the next candidate. 2014 SHRM state by state guide. https://lnkd.in/gHMQQbG

Here's another thing.... the person you are calling an idiot on LinkedIn may work at the company you're interested in working for. Why take that chance and more importantly, why speak to someone that way?

Retirement

I retired on my birthday a few weeks ago. I closed up my website, notified my security company that I no longer needed their website security guidance, notified my clients, contacted the state of New Jersey, told all my social media accounts and closed the door. The holidays came and distracted me however today, January 4th, I am at a cross roads as to my next step.

One of my retirement plans is to become a better photographer and sell some of my prints. For several years now I've collected 12 of my favorite beach photographs and created a calendar. I've sold the calendar to friends and family and donated the proceeds to a local not for profit. From those, I've been asked if I could create a book of local pictures or if I would sell any of my prints. Looking back to the time I started taking pictures, I've noticed a change in the quality and depth of my work.

I entered my first photography contest yesterday. I'm not thinking so much as the prize but more for the exposure. Let me know what you think and if you are inclined, please consider voting for my picture.

It's time for Act III for me. I'll still remain involved is job search and coaching but to a smaller extent. The rest of my time will focus on family, friends, writing and art.

https://njspots.com/contest/best-of-2020-photo-contest/?contest=photo-detail&photo_id=52190&fbclid=IwAR2IzMVEPmS8C7ZwXn_xt31kmu_I7fDhT3lVVu25kWvYIA2F9fPOcCalfeE