We had an almost total technological crisis here at C-Cubed last week. In addition to getting the black screen of death on one of the computers(I wrote about this last week), our main printer decided it would be a good time to take a permanent vacation—without the traditional two week notice. I could see things grinding to a halt and dollar signs floating in front of my eyes. How in the world did we ever function WITHOUT a personal computer its friend the printer? Repair or replace? Replace or repair? Replace or replace…I think you get the idea. Those were the questions of the week—all week. At first thought, emotion told me to bite the bullet and replace both. But was it necessary and did it really make sense?

Often career transition is guided by emotion—good or bad. You’re approached by a new company or department within your company to come work for them; a good dilemma for you! Or, on the flip side, you’re released or laid-off. Not so good. However, both developments are dominated by strong emotional pulls demanding that you make a decision, NOW.

Before you make a decision, you need to make sure it makes sense for you and your current (and future) situation. Step back for a moment or two and think through possible scenarios and likely outcomes. Sure, that invitation to work with a new department is flattering and gives you a boost; but is it in alignment with your career goals? Are you a good fit with that department’s culture?  Or now that you’re forced to find a new job; do you take the first one that makes an offer (any offer), or do you wait for one that fulfills all of your dreams? Do you accept something somewhere in between?

Whatever you do, don’t make the decision alone. Confide in close friends and family members. They often have insight that you may overlook in the passion of the moment.  Seek the advice of a career coach if you still need direction. A career coach can help you objectively see the big picture and give you a solid course of action to achieve your goals. Whatever you do, it needs to make sense for YOU!

As for my office machine meltdown; I was able to resurrect the computer. It now has four of its nine lives left. Knowing that I want to upgrade to a Mac in the future, it made sense to hold off on getting a new pc now. As far as the printer goes, we’re quite smitten with the new printer and the smok’n deal we got on it.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career coach, career coaching, career consulting, Career Transition, change, job search, kevin tucker, life coach, military transition, Networking, Passion and Job Satisfaction, transition coach

I got a picture text from my wife yesterday showing me the black screen of death on her computer. She didn’t seem too upset, so I knew she had a contingency plan and everything was okie dokie. I preach the mantra of save frequently and back-up often, so I text her back, gave her some reassuring words and continued with my day. I didn’t hear anymore, so I figured “no news is good news”.

That was until I got home. She did manage to bring the beast back to life—briefly. Actually long enough to get a current back-up copy of her files. (Notice how I’ve highlighted current.) Now, although the black screen of death showed up unexpectedly yesterday morning, she knew that her system was running on borrowed time. It had done this once before, about six months ago, and to her, every day that the computer was working was a gift from God. Although she knew the computer was’t quite right, she didn’t have a current back-up of her data.

This incident got me thinking, how often do we put off or wait until the last possible moment to do things that need to be done—especially in a work situation? You can usually read the writing on the wall for down-sizings, RIFs, lay-offs, and firings. How prepared are you if the black screen of death comes to visit you at work? I’d like to pose a few questions to you if you don’t mind:

1. How current is your resume? Your resume should have your most recent information on it. If you don’t have a resume—NOW is the time to get one put together!
2. Do you have a network of people—both professional and personal—that you can turn to for advice and for references?
3. What would your next move be if you were to find yourself out of work?

Consider these three items to be a start to your “back-up” plan. I realize that I’ve over-simplified this a bit—I just wanted to get you thinking; to get you started on your plan. If you need help developing your plan, I’m just a phone call or e-mail away.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career, career change, career coach, career coaching, kevin tucker, Networking, resume, resume writing, resumes, transition, transition coach

No matter what the state of the economic times are, or what part of the country you’re in, keeping motivated in your job is key. When times get tight, you don’t want to give your employer a reason to question your worth; or your employment for that matter.

As a career and life coach, I talk with folks on a daily basis who are struggling with this balance. Maybe something has changed in your family-a move to a different part of the country or even a foreclosure. Unfortunately, many people are dealing with issues like these and understandably so, there’s not much motivation left for the workplace!

But how do you step “up” when it seems like so many things are falling apart around you? Here are a few quick steps to keep you in balance.

Know your value to your employer’s ROI. To start off, we need to look at the true business side of the house. If you’re not motivated and contributing value to the company, why should your boss keep you around? Know how you’re contributing to the bottom line of the company. Go back to why you were hired in the first place. Where have you been able to contribute? What have you been able to resolve?

Increase communication with your boss. Communication is one of those things that you can never get enough of, but does it take work! You may need to be the one that needs to initiate it. Most likely your boss is not going to come to you. Many other pressures may have been put on her or his plate and sitting down to have a conversation with you is probably not on the radar screen. But, it is key for you to know where they’re at and what you can do to help them.

Find additional ways to contribute. This really goes with the thought of communication. In tough times, employers often find ways to do more with less. The positive side of this is that it gives you a greater opportunity to have a bigger piece of the pie. Your boss might ask for your input, you could volunteer for extra assignments, or you just might be there as a resource. Whatever it is, if you’re there with a great attitude and a giving spirit, you can’t go wrong!

Build up the team. What about others around you? These could be the folks that report to you, the team you work with, your peers, or even your clients. In these tough times, can you think of a better a better way to add value than to be the person that everyone wants to be around? As a former team manager, I’d look for people like this. If you have a positive influence on others and are a true asset to the company, your boss will notice!

In moving forward, keeping motivated is truly a choice-your choice. As you apply these principles, watch out! Not only will your motivation be on target, but you’ll see positive results in other areas of your life as well!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at http://ccubedcareer.com.

Technorati Tags: attitude, career coach, career coaching, career inventory, career passion, kevin tucker, motivation, Passion and Job Satisfaction, self improvement, success, workplace

Why do some people rise and flourish in their careers while others of equal talent flounder and never fulfill their dreams? James M. Citrin, an executive recruiter and–until recently–Business 2.0’s “Talent Monger” columnist, has a few answers to this intriguing question. The factors he and his partner uncovered in researching career success make up the basis for a book, “The Five Patterns of Extraordinary Careers”.
Using data from more than 2,000 in-depth survey responses and 300-plus personal interviews, Citrin and coauthor Richard A. Smith discovered five distinct patterns that repeatedly show up in the careers of the most successful executives. As Citrin explained recently in his final “Talent Monger” column, these people:
1. “Understand the value of you.”

They realize how value is created at work and turn that knowledge into action, growing their personal value during each step of their careers.

2. “Practice benevolent leadership.”

These people don’t claw their way up the career ladder; “they are carried there.”

3. “Overcome the permission paradox.”

They conquer the catch-22 that says, “You can’t get the job without the experience, and you can’t get the experience without the job.”

4. “Differentiate using the 20/80 principle of performance.”

They do their assigned jobs very well, but they also “storm past predetermined objectives to create breakthrough ideas and deliver unexpected impact.”

5. “Find the right fit.”

They make decisions with an eye on the long-term. They also purposefully trek toward roles that fit their strengths and passions.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career assessment, career consulting, kevin tucker, self improvement, skills inventory

The quickest way to a hiring manager’s heart is to give them something they long for in a résumé – keywords.  Hiring managers use keywords to quickly identify candidates that have the potential to be a fit for the position for which they are hiring.  The average recruiter or hiring manager takes less than 15 seconds to scan a résumé, often utilizing database technology to determine whether a candidate warrants closer examination.  By using keywords prominently in your résumé, you make their job easier and will ensure that your résumé makes it to the short stack; the ones that get looked at again.

Essentially, keywords will make or break a résumé. They are words and phrases that highlight technical and professional areas of expertise, industry-related jargon, achievements, and other critical information about you.  Many employers today use some type of database software to search and store the résumé s that are sent to them by potential candidates.  Hiring managers and recruiters then search these databases using job specific keywords to assist in the résumé screening process.  By knowing and having the keywords employers are looking for in you résumé, you increase your chances of being invited to an interview.

There are several ways to determine which keywords are best for your career objective but these three may be the easiest:

1. Take a look at ads for open positions in your industry.  These postings will be full of keywords ripe for the picking.
2. What are the words or phrases that you use on a daily basis to perform your job function?
3. Trade journals and industry publications are also a good source for current and upcoming keywords.

The debate rages on as to whether having all of your keywords grouped together in a summary section or sprinkled throughout your résumé is the best course of action.  Usually a combination of the two will do the trick.  However; there is one thing to remember while composing your résumé.  Keywords alone will not get you an interview.  They must be supported with solid and quantifiable accomplishments that convey your skills and abilities.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career coach, career coaching, career consulting, human resource management, kevin tucker, resume, resume writing, resumes

Are you on the road to success? Success expert Michael Nicholas (SuccessTriggers.com), says that sometimes people are on the road to success but they don’t realize it, and they stop before the get to their destination, forcing them to start the whole process over, never staying the course long enough to reach any destination.

So the next time you feel like your life is going nowhere, ask yourself if perhaps you really are going somewhere, but it’s hard to see from where you are.

It’s a well-documented fact that as people get older, they often look back on their lives, and have an aha! experience, that can be summed up like this: “Oh, this was where I was coming all along, I just didn’t recognize it while I was busy making my way.”

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: assessments, kevin tucker, life balance, life coaching, self improvement, success

Here are a few nuggets of wisdom to cling to when the going get tough. Wolf J. Rinke, author of The 6 Success Strategies for Winning at Life, Love, & Business, recommends keeping these points in mind:

• Energy and positive self-motivation come from seeking your dreams and doing things you love.
• All people are a composite of strengths and weaknesses.
• If you want to experience your maximum energy, you will need to build your strengths and get rid of your weaknesses.
• To be successful, you must find a job or career that lets you build your strengths.
• Successful people love what they do.
• Figure out which of your weaknesses keep you from reaching your lifetime goals. Get rid of them-and don’t worry about the rest.
• When you pursue what you want to do, you’ll have fun and you’ll feel naturally high.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career coaching, career inventory, kevin tucker, self improvement

Often I hear from my clients that the one area that they feel is holding them back from landing a job is the interview process. They know that their skills and background are solid and they appear to be a perfect match for the position. Overall the face-to-face interview went well, but something just wasn’t clicking. The job either falls into the HR blackhole or they are notified that the position has been filled. Sound familiar?  I want to discuss how to interview with confidence and give you some practical take-a-ways.

Before the interview:

• Research. Become as familiar with the company and position as you can ahead of time. The Internet is an excellent source of information. Do you have any LinkedIn connections with the company? Study the job description and match up your skills and accomplishments with the core competencies your future employer is looking for.
• Know your resume. More than likely, the person interviewing you will have a copy of it in front of them, so anticipate questions based upon the contents of your resume. Think of ways you can expand upon what is written and let the interviewer know you are going to be a great employee.
• Tie up any loose ends. Know where and when the interview is. Make sure you have a way there. Do you need a sitter?  If so, book one now. Are your interview clothes clean and well fitting?  Take care of these details a few days before the interview, not the morning of.

Day of the interview:

• Appearances. Make sure you’re well rested and have had a good meal before heading off to the interview. Take one last look at yourself before you head out the door. You need to look professional and put together. Remember, easy on the fragrances.
• Timing. Arrive early for your interview. If you are kept waiting in the reception area past your interview time, don’t get angry or frustrated-this could be the stress portion of the interview. Be gracious and remember this IS the most important thing you have going on.
• Be enthusiastic!  Make eye contact and be friendly. Answer all questions truthfully and don’t try to bluff when you don’t know the answer. They are not only looking for your responses, but how you respond. They’re also judging how well you will fit in with corporate culture.
• Sell yourself. They know you’re qualified, otherwise you wouldn’t have been asked to come in for an interview. But remember, there is a fine line between selling yourself and overkill. Finally, ask for the job. It’s one way that hiring managers determine your enthusiasm for the position.

Post Interview:

• Thanks!  Thank them for their time. Try to get their business cards or at the very least everyone’s first and last names and positions. Let them know how much you appreciated the interview.
• Snail mail. Write each person a thank you note as soon as you get home and try to get it in the mail on the same day. Yes, e-mails are quicker and easier, but there is nothing like a personal note written in your own handwriting. Offer to follow up in a few days.
• Follow up!  Call the interviewer and ask about the status of the position. Use this opportunity to give yourself one last plug!

Still need help?  Give the me a call and we can talk about ways to polish your interviewing skills or any other area that you feel you need help with.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career coaching, career consulting, Coaching, interview coaching, interview tips, interviewing, kevin tucker, skills inventory

One thing we do know is that we can predict the change. Gas prices or grocery prices or whatever are-and will likely be-constantly changing.

Let’s unpack this in light of the job search. You’re applying for a position that you know is the prefect match for your experience and goals for the future. But, unbeknownst to you, the employer’s needs (and the position) have changed part way through the process-and they didn’t even tell you! Now what? The job you’re in the process for applying for could be totally different from what the employer actually is going to hire for.

If you’ve spent time researching the company, discovering their line of work, and becoming familiar with their industry, you may be able to navigate around this roadblock. Being armed with this information with help you to flex with the employers needs. In this case, as the employer redefines the position, it may end up being even a better fit for you! Once you have this fit, you’ll be able to attack your career with passion and look forward to Monday morning!

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: career coach, career coaching, kevin tucker

These days it seems that employers are googling potential candidates before they hire. It’s just one more way of eliminating potential problems before employers welcome workers into their world. As a matter of fact, according to a recent survey of 100 executive recruiters by ExecuNet, 77 percent of recruiters reported using search engines to find information on candidates. Of those who used such search engines, 35 percent have eliminated a candidate because of information that was uncovered online.

Here are a few tips for improving your online image:

• Be careful. When you’re blogging or posting a comment online or creating a social networking profile. Would you really want someone who has the power to hire or not hire you to see what you’ve written?
• Search for information about yourself. Check your name on Goggle, Dogpile.com, and Yahoo!, as well as any other search engines you think might turn something up about you. Be sure to check your name about once a month to see if anything appears.
• Tell the truth if you are questioned about something online. You don’t want to be pegged as dishonest.

As a nationally Credentialed Career Manager, Coach Kevin Tucker has been partnering with individuals like you for the last 25 years. Through the military, as a minister, a human resources executive, and finally as a career and life transition coach; he has continually been able to help motivated individuals find their calling in life! Check out more at www.CCubedCareer.com.

Technorati Tags: assessments, career coaching, career inventory, kevin tucker