What's the Problem?

How you behave in your job search often is seen by others as an indicator of how you will behave on the job.

For example, how someone deals with problems during unemployment or a job change might indicate how that person handles problems at work.

Of course, employers do not want to hire people who create problems. But what about people who may not create the problem, but make problems into bigger problems? Or people who dwell on the problem without offering any help in solving it?

Companies seek employees who minimize or eliminate problems. Problem solving is a highly valued skill in the work world.

How would you rate your problem solving skills?

Do you appreciate, maybe even seek out, problems or challenges as opportunities to apply your problem solving skills?

Do you approach problems as experiences to learn new ways of doing things?

If you get frustrated or angry with a problem, maybe even quit trying, is that how you are going to handle problems on the job?

Do you fixate, obsess about the problem without moving forward, without seeking a solution? Do you complain about the problem repeatedly to anyone and everyone you meet?

Does the problem become so much a part of you that others start to see you as the problem?

"We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems." John W. Gardner

If you show that you can deal with, can seek solutions to the problems that come with unemployment and job change, you send a message to prospective employers about how you will handle problems on the job before you make them the employer's problems.

And that's a good thing.

We at JVS can help you with your problems.

Check us out at www.jvsdet.org.

And you can email me with your problems, questions, concerns and needs at wtarrow@jvsdet.org.

Walt

You Can't Get a Job Because of Your Age

Do you think your age is an issue in your job search?

Are you not getting any responses to your applications, your resumes, your phone calls because of your age?

Is your age keeping you from the interview?

Are you being discriminated against because of your age?

If you believe your age is an issue, that your age is keeping you from being considered as a candidate, is keeping you from being seen as qualified, and is keeping you from being interviewed, first ask yourself why you believe this is true.

What evidence, what proof do you have to support your belief that the employer has an issue with your age?

How does the employer, the recipient of your application, your resume, your cover letter know how old you are?

Are you giving them information that tells your age? Do you have to provide that information? Is that information required by the application? If information is not required, why provide it?

Even if you are required to provide certain information that reveals your age, how do you know that your age is the reason why you did not get a response or an interview? Is it possible that there are other reasons you have not heard from them?

Was your application, your resume one of hundreds, thousands? Did it get buried in the pile, the folder, lost in the electronic black hole in cyberspace? Did you do anything else, anything special, anything different to get noticed? How do you know it was your age?

Did you have all the keywords they were searching for? Did you write your resume to penetrate the screen, to get through the filters, to give them exactly what they wanted to see? How do you know it was your age?

Did you take the opportunity to present your value proposition, to present how you have and will deliver the ultimate result, to present how you can meet and exceed their bottom line? How do you know it was your age?

Did you follow up, stay in touch, continue to express through any and every means of communication your interest, your enthusiasm, your desire to make it happen FOR THEM, for their success? Or did you pester them without mercy because YOU NEED a job? How do you know it was your age?

Before you believe that age discrimination is keeping you from the interview, ask yourself if you have done any and every thing that you could to get noticed. And are you getting noticed in the most positive and appealing way?

We will discuss any possible issue with age as it relates to the interview itself in my next blog.

Over 50? Having a difficult time finding a job?
"Get a Job" workshops for Job Seekers Over 50 are being offered April 27 through April 30 at the JVS Southfield office. For details and to register, go to the workshop calendar at www.jvsdet.org, the Seminars/Events tab at www.ParnossahWorksDetroit.org, or follow me on LinkedIn and our LinkedIn group NextJobs~JVS Detroit. Oh, yeah, and don't forget to follow JVS Detroit on Twitter.

"The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes." Frank Lloyd Wright

Being the Ideal Candidate, part 2

Seven good tips about successful job seeker and worker behaviors.

1. Focus on accomplishment. Be known as the person who gets things done. Solve problems, don't dwell on them. Help other job seekers. Provide Answers on LinkedIn to be recognized as an expert.
2. Develop a reputation to be proud of. Keep an eye on your image. Be someone YOU would admire.
3. Be trustworthy. Be the person who can keep a secret, isn't a gossip, and can be counted on in all situations. Pay attention when you listen and behave like you are paying attention. Empathize with others and show your empathy.
4. When you give your word, keep it. Underpromise and overdeliver.
5. Be on time. Be where you are supposed to be when you are expected to be there. Respect the schedules of others. Let them know you know how busy they are and how precious is their time.
6. Don't complain. No one cares, and they have problems of their own. Solve problems, don't dwell on them. Share good news with everyone and be selective with whom you burden with the bad news.
7. Don't brag. It's obnoxious and it alienates others. Arrogance is the number one reason why people get fired or don't get hired. Trying to manipulate or influence others without considering them is the first step to failure.

Adapted from "Larry's Employee Handbook" as written in It's Called Work for a Reason.