Tag Archives: job

Is it worth coaching someone in job jeopardy?

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Coaching is a substantial investment that is generally offered to high potential leaders. So when is it worth the cost to coach someone who is in job jeopardy?

Whether you hire a coach or do the work with internal resources, coaching is not to be entered into lightly. While it is generally best to focus scarce resources on top performers, there are circumstances where coaching those in job jeopardy pays off.

The number one rule of thumb is to focus on performers with a single derailer that can be fixed. (Think of the person who continually falls over. Teach him to tie his shoes, and the problem is solved.)

Examples of fixable derailers that warrant an investment in coaching:

  • Having a hard time adjusting to a recent change in the organization
  • Difficulty dealing with a particular type of person or situation
  • A bad habit that the person is committed to changing

While overcoming a potentially fatal flaw is difficult, Joe Folkman advises several steps in his recent blog post, including acceptance, gaining a better understanding the issue and creating a plan for improvement. A coach can be a valuable resource at each of the steps outlined by Folkman.

Why go to the trouble to coach any struggling employee? First, it is absolutely cost-effective to retain your people when you consider the time and money involved in the termination and hiring processes. The organization also retains their knowledge, experience and connections with others. And the best outcome is you stand to gain an exceptionally dedicated, motivated employee who appreciates the investment. 

 

Need to focus your coaching resources? Contact Humanergy.

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When do you put out the red carpet?

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When we’re recruiting new employees, it’s tempting to paint a rosy picture. We want to impress these candidates, especially if we think they possess the skills we desperately need.

One of Humanergy’s clients recently noted, “The typical organization puts out the red carpet when hiring, then the vinyl flooring during onboarding. We do just the opposite.”

What they meant was that they expose candidates to the brutal (and wonderful) reality of the job during the hiring process. They strive to be as realistic as possible about the challenges, working conditions, deliverables and organizational culture.

The typical interview process is part “inform” and part “woo.” Make sure that you don’t err on the side of under-informing. Not sharing the “nitty-gritty” details can result in unrealistic expectations and misalignment from day one. That could mean that you’ll have to repeat the hiring process sooner than you’d like.

When you’re hiring, don’t just allow candidates to try to figure out how it will be to work at your organization. Be as thorough as you can, giving people a realistic preview of the scope, role and culture if they choose to take the job.

The biggest payoff of the “vinyl flooring” approach is that you will save time and money getting the right person in the right position the first time around. After all, as Ray Kroc said, “You’re only as good as the people you hire.”

Contact Humanergy for more information about hiring and making the most of your terrific people!

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Don’t worry, be happy

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I used to be a prolific worrier. Until my mid-thirties, my worries ranged from anxiety about my unreliable car to whether the world was going to implode. As with many people, middle-of-the-night worrying interrupted my sleep, when a cornucopia of real or perceived threats kept me tossing and turning.

Worrying is a tough habit to break, and it’s worth the effort. Why?

Chronic worrying is bad for your health. According to WebMD: Chronic worrying affects your daily life so much that it interferes with your appetite, lifestyle habits, relationships, sleep, and job performance.

It is easy to confuse worrying with problem solving. Worrying doesn’t actually solve anything, and the more time you spend worrying, the more problems (real or imagined) you’ll find. No solutions, just a host of problems that will probably never come to pass.

There is no easy solution for us worry warts, however, there are strategies that can help create a more carefree existence:

Figure out what you worry about. You might need to dig to find the source of “free-floating anxiety.” If you worry most about relationships, for example, you can take steps to improve them. If you worry about everything, you might need some help for generalized anxiety disorder.

Schedule worrying. The Mayo Clinic suggests setting aside a time for worrying. (They suggest this to caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients, but I think it applies to anyone.) Mayo Clinic blogger Angela Lunde suggests, “When worry or other draining emotion begins to consume your thoughts, acknowledge it and then commit that you will give it your full attention during “worry time”. Until then, give yourself permission to put it out of your mind.”

Create a memory jogger. If you really want to break the worrying habit, do something that reminds you that you’re taking a new approach to your troubles. Wear your watch on the other arm, or set your mobile phone alarm to remind yourself periodically to check and reset your thinking.

Replace your worries with new thinking. How did I break the worrying habit? I decided to stop worrying about things outside of my control, and replace those negative internal messages with positive ones. Whenever I found myself worrying about layoffs at work, I would change my thought to, “I will continue to do my best, and ultimately this will all work out.”

Talk and write. Putting your worries into words in and of itself can make you feel better. This can also help you figure out if your problems are real or inflated. Talk with a trusted friend or confidant, and let this person know how they can help (like listen, ask questions or give advice). Writing about your worries allows you to clarify your thoughts and feelings, and gives you a great record of what’s bugging you when and why.

Use worrying to your advantage. A mild amount of disquiet can be motivational. If you’re feeling a little anxious about something at work, use that energy to fuel disciplined action and boost execution.

Sometimes we are dealt a hand that is extremely hard to handle. When this happens, worrying is natural. A brief period of anxiety should be immediately followed by creating a plan and making it happen. “Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere” (author unknown).

 


Job hunt? Nail the interview

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We recently covered resume tips for those who may be entering or re-entering job search mode.  Presuming you’ve thoroughly worked your network of contacts, you are ready for the interview stage. (If you still think you’ll get a job via newspapers or online postings, think again.)

According to www.dictionary.com, the definition of interview includes “to have a glimpse of.” Interviews help you get a glimpse into the employer and the employer into you. Relax. It’s a mutual information sharing meeting.

After a deep breath, consider these steps to a successful interview:

Practice. Practice. Practice. Write your responses to these possible interview questions. Then read your responses aloud at least three times. Practice being the interviewee with your spouse, a friend or 10-year-old. Get comfortable answering questions about yourself with clarity, focus and impact.

  • What do you know about us? What questions do you have about us?
  • What makes you a good fit for us? What can you do for our bottom line?
  • Tell me about a time you weren’t successful.
  • Tell me about a time where you helped someone do something that wasn’t your job.
  • If you look at your life (or work life), what would you change? What would you keep the same?
  • Describe a situation where you handled conflict.
  • How do your experiences fit with the job you are applying for? Please explain.

Research. Research. Research. Review the prospective employer’s website. Google it. Check recent news releases and news stories. What’s going on? Is the news about it consistent with its mission and vision? Your personal mission and vision? Does its stated values align with your own? Is it growing…or not? What’s its next big opportunity?

Dress up, not down. A few days before your interview, check your attire. Use the rule of thumb: Dress one level above your audience. For example, if you are interviewing for a store clerk position, don’t wear jeans. Wear dressy pants and a collared shirt. If you’re interviewing for an executive position, wear your best business suit (or better yet, buy a new one). No tuxes, please, unless you’re interviewing for a butler, maitre d’ or penguin job.

Know your mantra. Answer the question: What three positive things do I want my interviewer to say about me to others after the interview. For example: “She was confident, competent and fun.”

Examine your distortions. Robert Pagliarini blogged about the psychological “tells” that many interviewees display. These cognitive distortions are habits of thinking that are not in keeping with reality. One example is polarized thinking, when you view situations as “black or white, no shades of gray.” Obviously, potential new employers can easily pick up on this and may be put off. For more cognitive distortions, check out his blog post at CBS MoneyWatch.

Have fun. We don’t recommend answering questions this way, but it might make you smile while you interview: During job interviews, when they ask: ‘What is your worst quality?’ I always say: ‘Flatulence’. That way I get my own office.” Courtesy of Dan Thompson.

Ready to get back into the interview pool? Dip in your toe, then dive right in. Good luck!

 

See needs Humanergy can fill? Contact Us

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On the hunt? Resume tips

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Looking for another job? Maybe you’re considering a move while struggling in your current position. Maybe you’ve been hit by the economy and your job was replaced, misplaced or lost and waiting to be found!

Many people are facing a job search years or even decades after their most recent interview. Here are some tips to get you in the right resume groove.  (Stay tuned for interview tips next week!)

Your resume is the first conversational bridge to a new life. Your resume bridges the gap between who you are and what you have to offer prospective employers. Think of your resume as your skills and capabilities on a billboard. It should be easy to read and represent a logical description of what you bring to the table.

Think about yourself. Before you start listing your jobs and their descriptions, stop and consider your strengths, what you love doing and the value you deliver. Make sure these are strongly represented in your resume, so that it is more than a list of what you did and when.

Highlight results you’ve achieved. Be specific and concrete. For example, “Managed a $5,000,000 budget within 0.05% for three years“ or, “Led a team of twenty-five professionals to the highest internal customer satisfaction rating.”

Highlight skills and competencies. For example: “A twelve-year packaged goods professional with the ability to build strong organizations and deliver results in the most challenging manufacturing environments.”

Use a simple, clear and visually appealing format. Include white space and no more than two pages. It does not need to be chronological; it does need to be well-organized and present a coherent picture.

Use powerful words. Some good ones: Achieved, authored, chaired, coached, delivered, guided, managed, presented. Make sure your words have punch, but don’t overstate what you really did. To increase your chances of getting past the initial screening, make sure your language matches the job (and related industry) you’re seeking to obtain.

Proofread. Proofread. Proofread. Have at least three people review your resume for typos. It’s amazing how you won’t see your errors, but “new” eyes will catch your mistakes.

“The secret to getting ahead is getting started,” said Mark Twain. Get your next career move started by crafting a resume that speaks volumes about you.

 See needs that Humanergy can fill? Contact Us

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