Kicked In The Teeth Heres Some Therapy WE GOT FIRED!

Kicked In The Teeth Heres Some Therapy WE GOT FIRED! Many of you know my story, and why I started JibberJobber.   I got let go from a company where I was the general manager and couldnt get a job, tried to figure out the job search, and eventually came up with JibberJobber, which is an awesome job search organizational tool, and a great long-term relationship manager. Before I worked for that company, I was the IT Manager for a much larger, very successful building maintenance company.   I was the first IT Manager they ever had (first IT professional, in fact), and I was able to realize some significant wins early on.   I was given a lot of responsibility and absolutely loved every aspect of my job.   The commute was awesome (about 7 minutes), my boss was terrific and well-positioned in the company, the salary was right, the company was growing, etc etc.   It was awesome, and I was in heaven. Within a couple of years everything changed.   I got involved in promoting an acquisition of our ERP vendor, and my perfect little job came crashing down on me over the next few of years.   The acquisition happened and I moved over to that new subsidiary in a senior leadership position.   There were some red flags, but I didnt have much of a choice.   And I never guessed the differences in company culture would be so strong. Thats when I feel my career started to become destroyed.   And shortly thereafter (3 years?) I was let go. I was let go over the phone, by my old boss who was so awesome, and the president of parent company.   I was warned dont burn any bridges by the guy who I had been so very close to.   It hurt to hear that warning, as I wondered who the heck he thought I was, to even have to warn me to not be a jerk. The so-called family company kicked me out of the family.   Spending years at a family company, and then getting voted off the island, was very painful. I felt kicked in the teeth. And Ive held onto this pain for a long time.   Ill never trust an employer like I trusted that family company leadership again.   Ive learned, too many things can change, and job security is a farce.   And, I kind of felt that getting rid of this chip on my shoulder would make me lose my ability to blog passionately (funny, I know :p). I came across WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay.   I like this type of book, as it chronicles stories of people who have been fired, or kicked in the teeth, and what they did after.   All of the stories are about people who have become rockstars in their own world, people who I recognize as fabulously successful.   But reading their experiences, and feelings, and actions, and attitudes, has been therapeutic for me. I feel like listing everything Ive learned from this book would sound too cliche, but for me, and my attitude, reading this book has been one of the best, most important experiences since Ive been let go.   If you have a chip on your shoulder, or are wondering what is next for you (with some fear and trepidation), I strongly encourage you to find a copy of WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay. Kicked In The Teeth Heres Some Therapy WE GOT FIRED! Many of you know my story, and why I started JibberJobber.   I got let go from a company where I was the general manager and couldnt get a job, tried to figure out the job search, and eventually came up with JibberJobber, which is an awesome job search organizational tool, and a great long-term relationship manager. Before I worked for that company, I was the IT Manager for a much larger, very successful building maintenance company.   I was the first IT Manager they ever had (first IT professional, in fact), and I was able to realize some significant wins early on.   I was given a lot of responsibility and absolutely loved every aspect of my job.   The commute was awesome (about 7 minutes), my boss was terrific and well-positioned in the company, the salary was right, the company was growing, etc etc.   It was awesome, and I was in heaven. Within a couple of years everything changed.   I got involved in promoting an acquisition of our ERP vendor, and my perfect little job came crashing down on me over the next few of years.   The acquisition happened and I moved over to that new subsidiary in a senior leadership position.   There were some red flags, but I didnt have much of a choice.   And I never guessed the differences in company culture would be so strong. Thats when I feel my career started to become destroyed.   And shortly thereafter (3 years?) I was let go. I was let go over the phone, by my old boss who was so awesome, and the president of parent company.   I was warned dont burn any bridges by the guy who I had been so very close to.   It hurt to hear that warning, as I wondered who the heck he thought I was, to even have to warn me to not be a jerk. The so-called family company kicked me out of the family.   Spending years at a family company, and then getting voted off the island, was very painful. I felt kicked in the teeth. And Ive held onto this pain for a long time.   Ill never trust an employer like I trusted that family company leadership again.   Ive learned, too many things can change, and job security is a farce.   And, I kind of felt that getting rid of this chip on my shoulder would make me lose my ability to blog passionately (funny, I know :p). I came across WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay.   I like this type of book, as it chronicles stories of people who have been fired, or kicked in the teeth, and what they did after.   All of the stories are about people who have become rockstars in their own world, people who I recognize as fabulously successful.   But reading their experiences, and feelings, and actions, and attitudes, has been therapeutic for me. I feel like listing everything Ive learned from this book would sound too cliche, but for me, and my attitude, reading this book has been one of the best, most important experiences since Ive been let go.   If you have a chip on your shoulder, or are wondering what is next for you (with some fear and trepidation), I strongly encourage you to find a copy of WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay. Kicked In The Teeth Heres Some Therapy WE GOT FIRED! Many of you know my story, and why I started JibberJobber.   I got let go from a company where I was the general manager and couldnt get a job, tried to figure out the job search, and eventually came up with JibberJobber, which is an awesome job search organizational tool, and a great long-term relationship manager. Before I worked for that company, I was the IT Manager for a much larger, very successful building maintenance company.   I was the first IT Manager they ever had (first IT professional, in fact), and I was able to realize some significant wins early on.   I was given a lot of responsibility and absolutely loved every aspect of my job.   The commute was awesome (about 7 minutes), my boss was terrific and well-positioned in the company, the salary was right, the company was growing, etc etc.   It was awesome, and I was in heaven. Within a couple of years everything changed.   I got involved in promoting an acquisition of our ERP vendor, and my perfect little job came crashing down on me over the next few of years.   The acquisition happened and I moved over to that new subsidiary in a senior leadership position.   There were some red flags, but I didnt have much of a choice.   And I never guessed the differences in company culture would be so strong. Thats when I feel my career started to become destroyed.   And shortly thereafter (3 years?) I was let go. I was let go over the phone, by my old boss who was so awesome, and the president of parent company.   I was warned dont burn any bridges by the guy who I had been so very close to.   It hurt to hear that warning, as I wondered who the heck he thought I was, to even have to warn me to not be a jerk. The so-called family company kicked me out of the family.   Spending years at a family company, and then getting voted off the island, was very painful. I felt kicked in the teeth. And Ive held onto this pain for a long time.   Ill never trust an employer like I trusted that family company leadership again.   Ive learned, too many things can change, and job security is a farce.   And, I kind of felt that getting rid of this chip on my shoulder would make me lose my ability to blog passionately (funny, I know :p). I came across WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay.   I like this type of book, as it chronicles stories of people who have been fired, or kicked in the teeth, and what they did after.   All of the stories are about people who have become rockstars in their own world, people who I recognize as fabulously successful.   But reading their experiences, and feelings, and actions, and attitudes, has been therapeutic for me. I feel like listing everything Ive learned from this book would sound too cliche, but for me, and my attitude, reading this book has been one of the best, most important experiences since Ive been let go.   If you have a chip on your shoulder, or are wondering what is next for you (with some fear and trepidation), I strongly encourage you to find a copy of WE GOT FIRED! by Harvey Mackay.

How to Start Resume Writing Business and Protect Yourself

How to Start Resume Writing Business and Protect YourselfIf you are an employer who wants to know how to start resume writing business, you are in good company. When I was looking for a career change, I realized that it is not only the kids at work that I had to look after but myself too. I was forty years old and had worked there for nearly twenty-five years. But I was bored and could not find what I wanted.The company I was working for also wanted me to learn how to write resumes. They said I could do it on my own or with a small fee if I wanted to, but this was not what I wanted. My friends told me I should get my masters in resume writing and become an employment coach. So I started out as a writer with no knowledge of employment law.I did not understand that if someone made a mistake in a resume, that is grounds for a lawsuit. I even asked my boss how much her company paid in claims because of errors on resumes. The answer was shocking: $40,000 per claim!The company I worked for was also in financial trouble and therefore put in all the proper direction for me to begin with. It is the nature of the industry that the more important you are, the more people will hire you. All employment law has one objective: To protect the individual's right to an employment contract.That is why you cannot start with an unlicensed company because the law will not recognize them. You have to start with an accredited organization, but that does not mean they are regulated by the government. If they are not regulated by government agencies, you may want to check out the Consumer Federation of America. They are very professional and there is a standard by which they measure the way their employers interact with applicants.As a writer, you can start your own company and then in turn help others start theirs. This is a win-win situation for both parties. You will still be able to offer the professional services that come with employment law experience and training, while the othe r company becomes well on their way to being a stable entity.If you think you may be too busy to get yourself all the information that you need, it may be time to make use of online resources. There are several Web sites that specialize in resume writing services and providing employment law training.If you want to know how to start resume writing business, the best advice I can give you is to learn about the laws that apply to the industry you are interested in. There are many organizations available that provide education about employment law and relevant theory. Taking the time to get educated is the key to creating a successful resume writing business.

The Power of an Idea Developing Your Own Idea Management System Marla Gottschalk

The Power of an Idea Developing Your Own Idea Management System Marla Gottschalk I adore the movies â€" particularly films set in the workplace. I suppose this is an occupational hazard. (See a running list of the best of them here.) There is often a lesson to be learned from a great workplace inspired movie. But, there are a few which include classic themes about life and work. These are without a doubt, the movies we watch time and time again. Working Girl is one of those movies. (See Siskel Eberts 1988 original review here.) It has it all. Big business, big opportunities, romance â€" and the added interest of a really, really despicable boss. In this David and Goliath themed script, a secretary from Stanton Island (Tess, played by Melanie Griffeth), takes on the her silver-spooned, self-entitled boss (played flawlessly by Sigourney Weaver). The plot centers on the ownership of a creative business proposal drafted by Tess, but peddled by Katherine as her own. There is an iconic elevator scene, where Katherine is finally put in her proverbial place after dishing out a hefty dose of lies and deceit. She is shut down so succinctly and so completely that you find yourself muttering, Yes!. How the less powerful protagonist , shuts down her boss is worthy to note. She did so with the power of inspiration. It is the crucial moment where Tess explains how she happened upon her idea. The Aha Moment that ignited the notion that Trask   should move in an entirely different direction, toward radio instead of television â€" was the key to turning the tables on her boss. See, Tess explains as she shows the clippings from the newspaper. TraskradioTraskradio. Its one of the most satisfying moments for me in movie history â€" and its all about the power of a single remarkable idea. Never underestimate the value of an idea Some of the greatest moments in science and the arts come from a quick flash of thought. Well never be able to predict when those moments will occur. However being prepared to note them is critical. Few of us take the time to records and cultivate these moments. Ultimately, it is up to you to effectively capture and nurture these moments. What to do: Respect your ideas. When you have an inspired idea dont ignore it â€" listen and record it. Type a message into your phone or keep a notebook. Dont let it slip away. Even DaVinci kept notebooks to keep his thoughts close to him. Identify supporting materials. If you are reading a newspaper and find something useful or interesting, clip it. If you are on-line, bookmark the page. Connect the dots. Once a week, review what you have collected and organize your thoughts into a concrete idea. Try writing each thought on a post-it note and sort them accordingly. Is there a pattern or common thread? Do they fit together somehow? Evaluate. Review the idea the next day. If you feel the idea still has merit, do research and see what you come up with. Deep Google the topic to reveal nuances and applicability to your business. If you like what has developed, run the idea by a friend or colleague. Develop the idea. Write a one-pager with details. Include your supporting sources and how the idea would be applied to your work. Communicate. If the idea is still solid, map out a business plan or mini-proposal. Write a blog post. Draft a story. Develop a Slide Share deck to present it to others. Move forward somehow. Vow to never waste another moment of inspiration. Value your ideas and give them the respect they deserve. But keep the clippings â€" just in case. Dr. Marla Gottschalk is a Workplace Psychologist. She also writes for Linkedin.

Career Advice No One Tells You (INFOGRAPHIC)

Career Advice No One Tells You (INFOGRAPHIC) When it comes to self-growth and growing your career, its always best to read as much self-help and career growth books as you can. They are written for a reason anyway to help you achieve your career goals whether its to become wealthier, be more productive, hustle two-three jobs and so on. One of the best and helpful career advice Ive read is by Raghav Haran. He pretty much summarized all the career hacks we need to know in this infographic created with Visme.

Why Should You Write On Resume Your Reasons For Leaving Your Job?

Why Should You Write On Resume Your Reasons For Leaving Your Job?Is it really necessary to list your reason for leaving a job on resume? The common rule in most businesses is to list the reasons of all employees and to send out an announcement to the entire team. This is necessary to let them know that there is a person who has chosen to leave the organization and he is expecting everyone to respect his decision. However, not many employers are aware of the fact that the reason they should list in their employment contracts is also included in resume.There are many reasons for quitting a job and not to mention that the reason should be written clearly. You should also inform the employer about your resignation and about the reasons you have given to him. Be truthful enough so that the employer does not think you have run away from the company. In case you had to leave early or the employer decided to cancel your contract, your reasons for leaving should be included in resume.Listing your employee's reason for leaving should be done in such a way that it goes along with the position you have been assigned. While giving details of the reasons for leaving your job, try to avoid the use of words like 'can't take it anymore'. It is not a good idea to list reasons like this.Most of the employers prefer to list the reasons in numerical order. You can try to list the reasons in alphabetical order but it will be easier if you include the reason first. Make sure that your reasons for leaving the job are related to the position you have been assigned and if not, there is a chance that the employer will consider you to be a risk.Before listing your reasons for leaving, make sure that you are in the right mind to do so. If you have not been stressed yet and it is going well, then you can list the reasons. However, if your reasons for leaving arenot good and the employer is in doubt as to what you are thinking, you should refrain from listing the reasons for leaving.It is a common practice to omit your reasons for leaving the job when you apply for a new job. Many employers prefer to leave your reasons out of their resume so that they do not have to deal with any problem while hiring you. You should be very careful about this.The reason you listed for leaving should not be something that will make your employer feel that you are unfit for the job. It is very important to state the reasons clearly and in a simple manner. List the reasons in the chronological order from your last day at the job until now.Remember that your employee's reason for leaving should be mentioned in the resume and should not be a secret. There are many reasons for quitting, so leave a plausible explanation for each one. Some of the reasons include ill health, the need of higher salary, need for a promotion, promotion to another position, offer to extend your contract and many others.

Fun at Southwest Airlines - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Fun at Southwest Airlines - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Ronald Culberson visited Southwest Airlines people department and came away with some really great stories including this one: a senior executive spent a day working at the ticket counter and with the ground crew to have a better understanding of their roles. While she was helping direct a plane to the gate using those long orange directional devices, one of the seasoned ground crew members told her to rotate her wrists in a circular manner. When she did this, the plane did a 360 degree turn! She began to scream thinking she had sent a confusing signal to the pilot. In reality, the ground crew had contacted the pilot and told them they had a greeny directing the plane and that they wanted to have some fun with her. The pilot enthusiastically agreed to play along. Very cool. That has to be one scary moment when something you do makes a fully loaded airline jet pirouet right in front of you. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

Mixed-Generation Workforce - Hire Imaging

Mixed-Generation Workforce - Hire Imaging It’s indeed a mixed-generational workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, five generations will participate in the workforce next year. Each one has an important uniqueness and a nickname. Most of us have received an email at some time or another, a quiz for those who came of age at a particular time. If it’s our time, we chuckle that we knew the answers well; our parents or kids probably not so much! It’s a generational thing! Mixed-Generation Workforce: Can there be value in stereotyping? Although stereotyping a group is of course a generalization that does not apply to everyone in that group, many people fall back on stereotypes in their interactions with others. So, real or imagined, stereotypes play a role in how people are judged and how their words and actions are perceived. Doesn’t it make sense that understanding the stereotypes of the generations we work withâ€"including our ownâ€"will be helpful in bridging gaps to a more harmonious and productive workplace? If we know how one generation’s childhood is different from ours, won’t that help us understand that generation’s values and potential impact? And isn’t knowledge power? Mixed-Generation Workforce: The Silent Generation (1922-1943) Also called Traditionalists and Veterans, these people grew up during the desolation of the Great Depression and came of age under the sacrifices of World War II. They saw the growth of the federal government as Social Security programs created more refuge for the poor and the elderly. Their values in the workplace tend toward thrift, obedience to rules, employer loyalty, and a strong sense of accountability. Even though their numbers in the workforce are small, their generation shaped corporate culture as it is today. Mixed-Generation Workforce: The Baby Boomers (1943-1960) Also called Yuppies, the 76 million Baby Boomers were christened the “Me” generation, pushing for individual rights in the workplace and society. Birth control liberated women to put motherhood on hold; and to put career first. Baby boomer’s value foundations are social consciousness and independence. They marched against “the establishment” for equal rights and to end the U.S. fight in Viet Nam. Often competitive and self-sufficient, Baby Boomers are workaholics, with identities associated with their profession. Mixed-Generation Workforce: Generation X (1960-1980) Generation X, at 45 million, are latchkey kids who grew up as the divorce rate doubled and the number of mothers working outside the home rocketed. This group saw the invention of the personal computer and multiple recessions. They became technologically smart, more migratory and highly educated (going back to school when they couldn’t find jobs). Practicality and skepticism are traits associated with Generation X. They value gaining transferable skills, so that they can be ready. They saw major institutions unravelâ€"family, marriage, corporations and the economy. They dislike being micro-managed; they are anxious to learn new things, but want to accomplish things on their own terms. Their value sets often embrace working to live rather than vice versa. It’s characteristic for them to integrate humor and games into the workplace. Mixed-Generation Workforce: Millennials (1980-2000) At almost 80 million, Millennials came of age with advanced technology and cultural diversity. Raised by Baby Boomer parents who often wanted cohort-like relationships with their children, Millennials were constantly praised and encouraged for doing rather than achieving. Taught to be well-roundedâ€"good grades, play an instrument or sport and give back to the communityâ€"they bring their broad background and talents to the workplace. They also value work/life balance. They network easily and are confident. Millennials tend to be optimistic. According to the Pew Research Center’s 2010 Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next, despite the fact that 37 percent of this group is unemployed or out of the workforce, nine out of 10 say they either have enough money or believe they will eventually meet their long-term financial goals. Bridging the Generation Gaps We can learn from these stereotypes to bridge the workforce generation gaps by focusing on connection.   According to the Center for Work-Life Policy’s 2009 study, Bookend Generations, 69 percent of Millennials and 75 percent of Baby Boomers say freedom to choose when and where they work are key motivators. Boomers, Traditionalists and Millennials all share a desire to give back to their communities. Workplace leadership and mentor programs, job sharing, developmental activities and 360 degree reviews can get people talking to open up the lines of communication. Generational differences get in the way until we understand them, concentrate on the similarities, collaborate, and then enjoy a most-wonderful workplace transformation! Photo: d_proffer