The Over-qualified/Under-educated Professional-What is your C.O.R.E.?

A couple of weeks ago, I submitted a posting entitled, The Over-qualified/Under-educated Professional-So I am employed.  What’s Next?  In the posting, I outlined 5 suggestions I have used to stay mentally focused while conducting a job search.  Those 5 suggestions were:

1)  Wake up early

2)  Do something to get your blood flowing

3) Read something that will develop you as a person

4) Form a daily and weekly schedule

5) You have to treat your job search as your job

As I have continued in my job search, these 5 suggestions along with a  few other daily rituals have kept me sharp and on point with my search.  I have continued to get up early.  I have continued to read books that have given me ideas to implement into my job search.  And I have stayed motivated to keep each day productive even though job searches can be quite draining and demoralizing.  Although I remain unemployed, I remain hopeful that when I find a job, it will be meaningful, purposeful and be all that I desire in starting a new career.

One thing I have noticed during my unemployment is I am spending a great deal of time learning about personal and professional development.  I have read numerous books on productivity, getting stuff done, and how to unleash creativity.  Each book I have read, I have implemented the suggested practices into my life (getting up early, affirmations, visualizations, etc.,), but one thing I keep noticing was that these practices were externally driven. Example, getting up early is not the norm for a great number of people living in the United States.  Most of us get up just prior to leaving for a daily responsibilities.  We rarely ease into our day taking time to truly appreciate what we have and the possibilities of the day. Affirmations are important.  But, if you don’t believe in what you are saying, affirmations are a moot point.  And visualizations can provide guidance and motivation for the day.  But, if you cannot generate visions of success, trying to focus on the daily activities before the day begins would result in muddled and therefore lack the power needed to move through the day.  What I have that I need something more that will provide me with the internal motivation to make the external a reality.  Therefore, I came up with C.O.R.E.

Any successful athlete whether amateur or professional will tell you that core training is essential for overall strength and performance.  For the football player, the core are provides the stability for legs and foundation for the upper body to consistently survive the violent collisions that occur over 30+ times on a football field during a National Football League game.  Major League Baseball players use their core to provide the torque needed to generate bat speed between 70-80 mph.  Also, a strong core will provide protection for the batters back and also provide power for the pitcher delivers to the mound.  If you have watched a National Basketball Association game, you have seen the benefits from a strong core.  From playing defense in a low squat to the quick change of direction from defense to offence and back to defense, A strong core is needed.  Finally, a slap shot in hockey on a National Hockey League level eclipses 100+ mph.  What generates the power that is generated to the blade of the stick?  It isn’t their shoulders, arms or legs, although all are needed to effectively accomplish the shot.  The power is generated from the skaters core.  As you can see, arms, legs, and shoulders are vital to accomplish great feats of athleticism on the field, court and rink, but just like the external principles of affirmations and visualizations, they are meaningless unless there is a strong core associated with them.

So what is C.O.R.E. in relation to personal and professional development?  C.O.R.E.’s acronym is as follows:

C=Center-What centers you?  Typically, successful people have a higher calling the presses them to go beyond what they initially thought that they could accomplish.  There is a drive inside of them that wakes them up every day, pushes them though out the day, and tucks them in bed at night.That drive is a laser like focus that may even border on obsession.  And to the outside observer, it will seem as an obsession.  But, to the man or woman that is living out their dreams every single day, it is a habit that has been forged in the crucible of blood, sweat and tears.  Their center is the driving force today that will frame their success tomorrow.  Therefore, what is your center?

O=Orientation-Where are you?  In the army, every year we had to train on land navigation.  I hated land navigation because I wasn’t very good at it.  When I was a young private, my skills using a compass, map, protractor and pencil was not the best.  The problem wasn’t that I was getting lost.  I knew where I was all the time.  My problem was I couldn’t find the point I was looking for during the training.  Each time I would train for land navigation, I would start out highly motivated and full of energy.  But, as I searched for each point and came up empty handed time after time, I would eventually give up and head back to the base camp.  Demoralized and defeated, I would tell myself I just sucked at land navigation and there is nothing I could do about it.  How many times have we all started out on a goal or a dream only to be searching in the wrong place or going in the wrong direction expecting to get to your point only to find we are no where our destination.  How we are getting to our goals is just as important or maybe even more important than the goal itself.  Not only do we need to orient our internal maps, we also need to orient our thoughts, feelings, emotions.  We must be ready to take on disappointment and failure as well as success and achievement.  When we are oriented in the right direction internally, we are ready to face the hills and the valleys in life and in chasing our dreams.  Therefore, how are you oriented?

R=Release-What are you holding on to?  All of us have baggage that we drag from one situation to another; one job to another; one relationship to another.  We all have been hurt personally, professionally, and romantically.  We have trusted and lost faith.  We have been trusted and failed to live up to expectations.  In other words, we are all human.  But, because we are human, we still have hope.  In the movie, Matrix Reloaded, the Architect (if you haven’t seen the movie, please do) states to Neo, “Hope, it is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness.”  So, in our greatest weakness, we are our strongest.  We must have hope that we can overcome any past failures, disappointments, tragedies and shortcomings.  As Morpheus states in The Matrix, “You have to let it all go,…Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.”  Only when we free our spirit can we free our souls, our minds and our bodys.  Therefore, what do you need to release?

E=Execute-What are you going to do?  Once you know your center, your direction and are ready to travel, starting the car up is no problem.  Our problem when it comes to achieving success is not taking the time to truly explore who we are, what drives us and what do we need to get ride of to travel lightly.  No one, I am assuming here, who has ever achieved a minor or major goal in life ever looked back and said, I am happy I was clueless, didn’t know where I was going and held on to old beliefs.  I would venture to say it was the opposite.  Achievers knew who they were, where they were going and released anything the slowed them down.  Their execution was based on an internal drive that manifested itself in external behaviors.  Therefore, what are you going to do?

As in athletics, exercising my C.O.R.E. on a daily basis has provided me with the internal motivation to achieve external goals.  Nothing comes easy.  But, when you know the why, the direction, the barriers, what you nave to do after that is clear.  Exercising my C.O.R.E. has helped me immensely in my job search and in life and I am sure you can benefit from it also.

The Over-qualified/Under-educated Professional-Ack! I just turned down an interview!

The following is a voice mail I left today at approximately 9:05 AM.  The names have been changed to ensure I don’t shoot myself in the foot.  Why?  Because I am still in the midst of a job search.  Burnt bridges are no use to anyone.  But, I thought this would be an interesting topic to write about because even though I am in a job search, I will am looking for meaningful work that will expand into a career decision.  I know that work is work.  But, I will not sell myself out for a job that I know I would under-perform in just to get a paycheck.  That is disrespectful and unprofessional.

But enough with that.  Here is the message:

Bob (why does everyone use Bob?), good morning.  This is Michael Smith.  I hope your morning is starting off well.  I am calling you today to thank you for the opportunity to interview with you today regarding career options with BIZ.

During the presentation yesterday, I was impressed with the personal, professional and financial opportunities that are available with BIZ.  Unfortunately, the position presented yesterday does not align with my personal, professional and career aspirations and I have to respectfully decline your invitation for a third interview.

Thank you for considering me for excellent team of professionals and best of luck in your future expansion plans.  Respectfully, Michael Smith”

Foolhardy?  Probably.  Makes no logical since?  Yep. Am I passing up a potential lucrative career in insurance? Most likely.  Am I at peace today with my decision?  Hell yes.

The position I was being considered for was a 100% commissioned based insurance sales position.  Your first thought was probably, “100% commission? I would have turned it down also.”  But, that was not the reason.  The BIZ company provided all the leads.  There was no cold calling.  And I didn’t have to sell to family and friends.  Also, the BIZ company would assist me in getting my 2-15 (license to sell insurance in Florida), has a great training program (where you get paid), and an established support system to help you succeed.  Finally, BIZ was growing exponentially over the past 5 years in south Florida and the parent company FLAME’s (we will go with that) stock has split a couple of times over the past few years.  Overall, the position, even though it was 100% commissioned based, had many upsides and very few downsides.

So why didn’t I take the third interview?  Simple.  It wasn’t what I wanted to do.  If I attended the interview and they offered, I would have accepted.  But, if I accepted, everything thing that I desired for a career would have been flushed down the toilet.  Everything I searched for in a career after the military would have been put into question.  I was not going to sell out who I am or my career aspirations just to take a position to get me off the bench and into the game.  I wouldn’t not have been able to look myself in the mirror each day and say to myself that I made the best decision.  I would have compromised who I was, what I wanted to be able to post on LinkedIn, “I got a job!”

A similar situation happened almost a year to the day.  When I first moved to the Miami area, I got a call for a manager position with a company.  I was excited because I had only been here for a few days and already an interview.  On the day of the interview, the interviewer (company president and owner, outlined the company’s history, what the company does and did the mandatory thing of asking me questions.  At the end, I was pretty excited about the “manager” position and the vice president was equally excited about coming on board.  The president then suggested that I come back for an all day interview tomorrow.  I agreed and eagerly awaited the next day.  The next day arrived and i was ready for the interview.  But, it wasn’t not an interview. I spent the whole day shadowing a sales representative going to small businesses door to door.  I saw the sales representative take an aggressive stance with potential clients and even violated the no solicitation request numerous times.  This was a HUGE turnoff! Not only did I not want to engage in door to door sales, the aggressive stance for the sales representative had me cringing every time we walked into a business with “no soliciting” showing.  At  the end of the day, I declined the office and went on my way.

That experience was almost a year ago and here I am turning down another opportunity.  But, now, just like back then, I will not compromise who I am and what I want.  Some might think a job is a job.  I would ask those folks, “Are you happy with your job?”  Some might say, “you need to get a paycheck.”  I would respond with, “money cannot by happiness.”  Some might say, “You are shooting yourself in the foot.”  I would say, better my foot, then my head or my heart.

Shirley Hufstedler said, “Security is not the meaning of my life.  Great opportunities are worth the risk.”  So, I am taking the risk for a greater opportunity.  To stay true to myself.  To never give up on my dreams.  To keep knocking on the doors that might not be open just yet.  But, sooner or later, I will find someone who holds the key.  Then, I will know that this is the one.

The Over-qualified/Under-educated Professional-So I am unemployed. Now what?

June of 2013, I honorably discharged from the Army.  Leading up to the day, I was confident that I would be employed withing three months.  Six months at the most.  Arrogance fueled that belief along with a strong sense of, “I am a veteran and a college graduate, of course I will be working soon.”  To be honest, I did not prepare myself mentally, emotionally or spiritually for the possibility of being unemployed over six months.  So as six months turned to nine which turned into fifteen and here I am, still unemployed.  Fun times let me tell you. #Not

Since leaving the Army and embarking on a new career path, I have run the gamut of emotions regarding my struggle to find a job (not trying to be dramatic, it is a struggle now a days).  Anger, disbelief, doubt, jubilation to depression have drained me almost on a daily basis.  But, I have realized there are a few things that help with keeping me sane and to provide the motivation to fight on.  Just because one is unemployed, that doesn’t mean one needs to be lazy.  Here are a few suggests to maintain your sanity and also to stay mentally sharp as you work through your job search:

1)  Wake up early!  That’s right, get out of bed.  And then, when you get out of bed, make it.  By getting out of bed early and making your bed right afterwards, subconsciously gives you a victory over a task for the day.  Also, getting up early provide you the opportunity to get stuff done that would normally take away time from your job search.  I get up at 3:00 AM and have a complete ritual that I do before business hours  begin (9:00 AM).  So get up and get going.

2) Do something to get your blood moving.  Walking to the bathroom doesn’t count.  Stretch. Do push ups.  Yoga. Going running.  Walk the dog.  Go to the gym (if you have the money, but if you are unemployed, I would say get rid of that membership). Get your body moving.  I decided about six weeks ago that I was going to train for a half marathon.  At 4:30 AM, you will find me on the streets of Miramar, FL going for nice little run.  It is important to get your blood going because it will get your brain going.  Ever try to write a resume half asleep.  Working out in the morning before starting your search will prep your mind for the work.  So get moving!

3) Read something that will develop you as a person.  Over the past six months, I have read, The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, Vision to Reality by Honoree Corder, Fathered by God by John Elredge, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, Unleashing Creativity and Innovation by Madan Birla and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.  Reading keeps you mentally sharp.  As you are doing your search, your resumes, cover letters and applications start to blur together.  You need to stay mentally sharp so you can change from one job to the next and also be able to speak confidently during interviews.  If you are doing nothing but the job search, then you are getting no input for your output.  As they said back in the day, “Reading is fundamental”, reading during time of unemployment it crucial for mental vitality and health.

4) Form a daily and weekly schedule.  From the time you wake up to the time you go to bed you must stay productive and alert.  By scheduling your day, you know where your time is going and what you will be doing.  My schedule is pretty exhaustive, but you do not have to have each minute planned to a tee.  You just need to have enough detail to stay focused.  Also, it allows you the opportunity to see where you can take those mental breaks because you can only look at a computer screen for so long.  So get a calender, Franklin or Daytime planner and get to work.

5) Finally, you have to treat your job search as your job.  The fact of the matter is that you will be putting in as much time applying for jobs, networking and getting your name out there as you would working a typical 9-5.  So you mental attitude must be one that you are going to work.  Not treating you search as you job set you up for failure and a prolonged job search.

I hope this helps.  I know these five things have kept me sane as I continue my search and I know they will keep you sane also.  Best of luck and go get them.

The Over-experienced/Under-educated Professional-To the Pain

This morning, I started out for my last pre-training run.  For the past six weeks, I have ran every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday toughing up my body to start training for a half marathon in January.  Each day was a exercise in perseverance as I pulled myself out of bed, put on my running shoes and headed out the door.  But, I remembered, at the beginning of each run, that no one has every said, “I am sooooo happy that I choose to not run today.  I feel so much better about myself and how my day began because I skipped out on my run.  I am going to have a great day because I was lazy!”  So, out the door I went, into the morning darkness to give myself oxygen debt and lactic acid build up in my legs.  Isn’t running grand!

As today’s ran began, I knew it was going to be a challenge.  First of all, I started my run 3 hours after it was scheduled.  I had a bad attitude and I didn’t want to get out of bed.  I blamed the late start on my alarm clock.  But, I could have gotten out of bed.  I just decided to stay in bed.  Lazy.

Second challenge, my right hamstring will not loosen up.  For about three weeks now, my right hamstring is tight which limits my stride and also gives me something negative to think about during my run.  It isn’t like I am blazing through my runs.  I am just wanting to get the miles in.  But, for some reason, my hamstring does not want to cooperate.  Is this a sign of me getting older or me being hard headed.  I think it is both.

Third challenge, about 10 steps into the run, I realized that my music was not going to play.  Apparently when my Nike+ running app updated, it reset all my settings.  So, today’s run was going to be without my normal companions to get me through the miles.  Mile upon mile of silence only interrupted by the rhythm of my breath, the beating of my feet on the pavement, and the sounds of traffic to my left (I was told early in my running career to see what hits you).  Out of all the challenges, this was the one that upset me the most.  The earbuds are annoying enough with the music, but to wear them now was just ridiculous.  But, it would be more annoying to have them bouncing on my chest.  So I drove on.

The final challenge was that this was going to be my longest run of the six weeks.  Mentally, before all my little mishaps, I was ready to go.  But, as the challenges built upon each other, my mind switched from you can do it to WTF are you doing out here.  I was mentally frustrated, emotionally tired and physically in pain.  Thoughts of quitting ran through my mind as I ran through one neighborhood at a time.  But, I couldn’t.  I just couldn’t do that to myself.

Around the halfway mark, a thought came to my mind and I made sure  I remembered that thought when I returned home.  That thought was, “To the Pain.”  When I got home, this is what I wrote:

“To the pain.  What do you do when the pain comes? At the end of the fist block?  First lap? First mile?  During training? In the middle of a race?  Every runner, beginner or elite, has had to answer this question.  What do you do?  Whine? Complain? Quit?  No.  You run on.  To the next block.  Complete the next lap. Crush the next mile.  Why?  Because you are a runner.  And runners run through the pain.  Not to it.”

We will experience pain in all sorts of ways.  For me, it is the continued state of unemployment.  If anyone has experienced or is experiencing the pain of continually submitting resumes, cover letters and applications only to continually be passed by, remember runners run through the pain.  Not to it.  Your time will come.  Just keep running.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication: Habit One-Be Proactive

“Proactivity-As human beings, we are responsible for our own lives.”

Steven Covey

This morning, I did not want to get up.  I did not want to put on my running shoes.  I did not want to walk out my front door and proceed towards my start/finish line for my run.  I was inwardly trying to talk myself out of the 5.65 mile run that I was about to engage in for approximately 45 minutes.  I know my legs would burn, my lungs would struggle and I would constantly be wiping sweat from my eyes (I find this the most annoying thing in the world, along with earbuds that don’t stay in place).  I did not want to be a part of the pain associated with running.  Until I was done.

When I completed my run, although my legs burned, my lungs struggled and I was constantly wiping sweat from my eyes (did I say how annoying this was?), I thought about how I would have felt if I slept in.  I thought about if I actually gotten out of bed, but didn’t run. I thought about the many scenarios I could have experienced if I didn’t run today.  Each one was just an excuse to not reach for greatness.  To stay mediocre and be that guy that sits in front of the television saying “Shoulda, woulda, coulda.”  At the end of the run, I knew I was not that guy and with a limp, entered into my home ready not to be the product of my environment, but to influence my environment to product the products I want.  Wasn’t that the purpose of the run in the first place?

Covey’s first habit for becoming an effective persona and for me an effective communicator starts with being proactive.  I knew I would not want to run today.  Therefore, I got all my excuses out the night before.  I set my alarm clock loud and away from my bed.  I set my running shoes near my bedroom door, so I would most likely trip over them en route to the bathroom.  I already knew the route and approximate distance that I would be running this morning.  And finally, I prepared myself before I went to bed and when I work up to have a great run.  Out of all the preparation I did for my run, the most important was the mental attitude before I went to bed.  Before I even put foot on the ground, I already knew my plan for the day and I executed that plan.

I have found that individuals that are proactive individuals have been the most effective communicators.  Proactive individuals understand that they control their own destiny.  Proactive individuals understand that they are responsible for their actions.  Proactive individuals understand that they have an influence on their environments.  Proactive individuals are opportunistic, enthusiastic committed individuals that produce solutions, not more problems.  Proactive individuals may not the the leader of the organization, but proactive individuals have influence and they are the power behind the seat.

So how do you become a proactive, effective individual?  Covey suggests trying these exercises for 30 days:

1)  Work only in your smaller circle of influence

2)  Make small commitments to yourself and others, and keep them;

3)  Be a light, not a judge; be a role model, not a critic; be the solution, not the problem.

I agree with Mr. Covey and would suggest that applying  these three exercise in your communication efforts would make you a better communicator after 30 days.  By focusing on your sphere of influence.  By staying within your strengths, or military slang, staying within your lane, you will provide expertise and influence with people you already have equity with.  If you venture too far away from center, you loose influence, equity and portray yourself  as a no-nothing instead of a person that knows what he says and says what he means.

Secondly, if you make small commitments to yourself and to others, you show your integrity and character.  In the introduction, Covey speaks how, at one point in our country, character and integrity meant something.  Now, situation ethics rules the boardroom.  Character and integrity gave way to positive mental attitude and having a firm handshake instead of anything of substance on the inside.  By ensuring you will do what you say you will do, you establish yourself as a rock that others can build upon.  Think about how people describe that employee that gets stuff done.  Rock. Steady. Reliable. Dependable.  These traits have and will stand the test of time and if you are not strong in these areas, now is the time to start.

Finally, everyone wants to be around the person that validates their existence.  When I was in high school, that was my track coach Ed Streich.  Coach Streich was the light, the role model and the solution to various high school woes on and off the track.  I could count on coach to pick me up when down and to apply the right amount of tension to push me beyond what I thought I could accomplish.  Everyone desires the opportunity to be mentored in such a manner.  Why not be that mentor?  You don’t need permission just a heart to serve.

What type of person do you want to be?  The one that sits back and watches the world go by?  Or do you want to have the world watch you?  It all depends on your perspective.  Believe that you are in control of your destiny.  Believe that you control your environment.  Believe that you can do the one things that scares the hell of you.  That is being proactive.  And that is being an effective communicator.

Next week:  Habit Two-Begin with the End in Mind

The Over-experienced/Under-educated Professional-Stewardship

This morning as I was going through my morning ritual, I came across a very interesting story in the Bible.  Don’t worry, I am not going to spew forth religious propaganda, but I think the story is a great lesson of making sure we use all the opportunities and blessings that are presented to us on a daily basis.

A little background on me before I go into the story.  From 1995 until 2010, I worked in higher education at three universities.  For fifteen years, I had free education at my fingertips and I never pursued it.  Because of my positions in student affairs, I was constantly told that I should get my masters in higher education if I plan on continuing in higher education.  Even though I was working in higher education , I did not want to stay in higher education (and funny how I ended up working in higher education for 15 years).  My problem was that I didn’t have a plan on exiting higher education.  So I just went day to day, week to week, doing my job.  I was happy that I was employed and making a difference in students lives.  Unfortunately, I wasn’t making a difference in mine.

Back to the story.  In the Book of Luke, Jesus tells a parable of a businessman ower who heard that his manager (using 21st century words) was reckless with the businessman’s resources.  Being a bit upset, the business owner fired the manager, but told the manager to settle all accounts first.  Side note.  This has to be a parable because this wouldn’t happen today.  As soon as the manager was fired, the manager would probably would have flipped a desk or two, yelled some choice words and slammed the door on the way out of the office. So remember, this is a parable.

The manager might have been reckless, but he was shrewd (old school word), and called all of the business owner’s debtors.   As the manager settled debts, the manager gave one debtor a 20% discount.  Another 50%.  The manager continued to settle debts in such a manger that gave huge discounts because the manager was thinking maybe I can get a job by one of the debtors after my business with this business owner is settled.  Good thinking, but probably too little, too late.

What the manager, and myself failed to realize that there are opportunity that are presented to us on a daily basis.  For the manager, everyday in the business owners employment was an opportunity to build a reputation as a reputable manager.  Everyday was an opportunity to do the job right and ensure that the business owner did not have to worry about resources. Instead, the manager waited until the last minute to undue years of miscues.  Do the manager get a job due to his quick thinking?  We do not know, all we know was that the business owner commended the manager’s actions.  Kinda makes you wonder about the business owner?  But that is another story.

Fast forward to 2014.  It is amazing what being unemployed will do for you.  Don’t get me wrong, not having a job is in the “Top Ten” things I would have never expected for myself.  But, being unemployed has given me insight into my successes (which have been many), my miscues (running neck and neck with the successes), and what I truly want out of my life.  I have also had to come to grips with the opportunities of the resources that I mismanaged.

This isn’t a “poor Mikie” moment.  But, it is an eye opener.  As stated earlier, every day presents us with opportunities.  Some will be small.  Some will be large.  Some will be disguised as people.  Some as failures.  Whatever those opportunities are, we must be ready in our spirit, soul, mind and body to take hold of them and never let go.  In order to live a life of no regrets, we must keep our heads on a swivel and maintain a constant state of situation awareness (military lingo, sorry).  If we can embrace the fact that opportunities are all around us, we will have no problem being good stewards, good managers and good people.  Isn’t that who we want to be anyways?

The Over-experience/Under-Educated Professional-C’mon Man!

Monday nights are my favorite nights during the fall for one reason, Monday Night Football.  It is the only time my attention is being pulled from one game to another like each Saturday and Sunday due to multiple games at multiple times.  Monday is the night I can sit back and just zone out with one game.  No distractions.  No channel hopping. No wondering how the other game is doing.  One game.  Two teams.  One channel.

But, since I live on the east time zone and go to bed fairly early, I do not get to watch the entirety of the game.  At most, I will watch up until halftime and then go to bed knowing that I will find out the victor in the morning.  Even though I am content with the system, I would like to know the who won.  But rest and early morning rising is more important to me than a football.  So away to bed I go knowing my curiosity will be satisfied in the morning.

One staple of my Monday night football binge is the pregame on ESPN.  In the big scheme of things, the pregame show is almost two hours of talking about the football news that has already be talked about all…freaking…day.  Therefore, I do not get much from the pregame. But, one of the last segments of the show is, in my opinion, the best part of the show.  That segment? C’mon Man!

For those of you that do not know, C’mon Man is the part of the show were the show’s personalities: Chris Berman, Chris Carter, Tom Jackson, Mike Ditka and Keyshawn Jackson, give their take on football, or any sports blooper that happened during the week between games.  The clips are usually some professional athlete doing something funny or out of character for a professional athlete, the personality giving his thoughts during the clip, and then ending with, “C’mon Man!  I would venture to say it is one of the most popular segments on the pregame show because it is humorous and shows that professional athletes can be as clumsy  as us mere mortals and  therefore are human.

So how did C’mon Man find it’s way into this post today?  I wish I could say it was due to something funny I observed or possibly a sports story turned humorous a few years back.  Unfortunately, it is neither.  The C’mon man I am referring to is the frustration experienced as a job seeker in a employer driven market.

I am amazed at the lack of professional courtesy regarding notification of candidates.  Since August 11,2013, I have applied to 62 positions on LinkedIn.  The number of positions I have applied for on Careerbuilder, Indeed.com, Monster, and Glassdoor would probably average about the same.  Therefore since August of 2013, I have applied for approximately 300 positions in Columbus, GA; Atlanta, GA; Miami, FL; and Fort Lauderdale.  Whether I have applied directly on the site or on the organization/company’s site, there has been a lot of hours put towards finding a job.  The dishearting factor of it all is there has be little feedback regarding whether application materials have been received, reviewed, passed on or passed up.

As a job-seeker, I am required to do the following in order when engaged in a search:

Pre-Application:

1) Review hundreds, even thousands of jobs.  Reading descriptions, qualifications and responsibilities

2) After finding a desired position, research the company or organization to confirm the organization/company would be a good fit,

3) Crafting my resume and forming a cover letter to match the job description

4) If on LinkedIn, inmailing the poster expressing my interest in the position.

A quick note on inmail from LinkedIn,  Inmails are a limited resource that paying job seekers only have a handful to use.  If an inmail is used, it is important to the seeker to know that the inmail was read.  Not reading an inmail and not responding is basically telling the job seeker that the resources used does not matter and therefore the job seeker doesn’t matter.  Life is busy, we all are busy.  But professional courtesy goes a long way.

5) If not on LinkedIn, going to the organization/company website and filling out an application that can take anywhere between 5 to 30 minutes.

6) Finally send the resume and cover letter along with any other documents required for the application.

If I am lucky, I get a call for an interview.  Whether it is a brief phone interview of an engaging face to face interview, the following must be accomplished before and during the interview:

1) Research the organization/company again to get some unique insights and show you really want to work there.

2) Print of at least three copies of your resume

3) Make a list of questions that show you know about the organization/company’s business, culture and history

4) Arrive early (depends on personal preference.  I like about ten minutes) to make sure you are on time and to also get in good with the receptionist (we all know they are part of the interview process also)

5) Dress accordingly to the culture.  You want to make sure you stand out by not standing out.

6) Be confident, smile and in the end, make sure to thank them for the opportunity to interview.

7) Leave quickly.  Do not linger.  Shake hands and move smartly and confidently.

So, you applied and had an interview, now the following happens:

1) Send an email or snail mail thank you card expressing your gratitude for the interview and your continued excitement for the position.

So now you wait.  One week. Two weeks. Three weeks. A month.  Really?!  As a recruiter, after I interviewed a candidate, I knew whether I was going to hire that candidate or not.  It didn’t’ matter whether that was the first interview or the last, my order of merit list was already formulated.  All I needed the interview was to confirm experience, education, and fit.  It didn’t take me a month to make a decision.  My thought was that these candidates want to know as soon as possible so they can adjust to the feedback I would be giving them.  Therefore prompt notification was not only important for the candidates to receive, but also for me to deliver.

When I was in the military as a junior officer, it never failed that some senior officer would look upon me as cannon fodder.  I did not understand the attitude of, “you are beneath me because I am a ________ and you are a second lieutenant.  Did that officer forget what it was like being a junior officer and trying to work within a system with little or no experience.  the best officers I found were officers that remembered what is was like to be new, wide-eyed like a little puppy, excited to be there and not trying to pee on the carpet.  Instead of remembering their struggles and helping, senior officers judged and ignored.  They forgot their roots.

How senior officers treat junior officers is very similar to trying to accomplish a job search today.  Hiring entities forgot what it was like to be on the grind and therefore, do not understand the frustration of not receiving feedback.  Just as it is expected the candidates move through their processes, it should be expected that hiring entities will provide timely feedback.  To not provide feedback sends the message of, “My time and place in this world is more important than yours as a candidate.”  That attitude may not be spoken, but it certainly is felt by candidates.

I know this post will probably received as someone who is frustrated with his own job search.  And I will give you that.  But, I think professional courtesy is not a one way street concerning a job search and the more timely feedback a hiring entity can provide, the quicker a candidate can move on to the next opportunity.

I am not bitter. Just tired of waiting.

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication-Introduction

“Our character, basically, is a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often
unconscious patterns, habits constantly express our character and produce our effectiveness –
or our in effectiveness. In the words of Aristotle, ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
then, is not an act, but a habit.’”

Steven Covey

If you have done any personal development study, reading, or research more than likely, you have come across the book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Steven Covey.  Seven Habits, along with Norman Vincent Peale’s book, The Power of Positive Thinking, probably has influenced many of the great speakers and influencers of our time.  Both books delve into topics that are very important in our lives and provide simple, yet effective tools on how to achieve our daily task (Seven Habits) and how to be happy on a day to day basis (The Power of Positive Thinking).  I can think of no one that does not want to live happy productive lives. That is why these two books are two timeless classics that will be around long after I have gone the way of the dodo.

I while ago, while I was working in higher education, I was responsible for training a paraprofessional staff of about thirty resident assistants.  For those of you that don’t know, a resident assistant or RA, was a student chosen to live within the residence halls and was responsible for building a community through accountability, academic and social programming, role modeling and very basic conflict resolution.  It was my job as their supervisor to prepare my staff for the upcoming year and try to impart to them as much knowledge I can within a ten day training period.  This is not an easy task, but, by far, this was my favorite week of the academic year because I was able coach, mentor and counsel my staff on what I feel was important for success in their position.  Being a RA myself during my undergrad, I found that two things were important, confidence in self and being able to communicate effectively.

Knowing that confidence affects communication and vice versa, the challenge was how to provide timely and meaningful training is a message that was easy to translate.  As I stared at my office bookshelf, Seven Habits jump off the shelf and landed in my lap.  Curious why such an even happened, I opened the book and looked at the table of contents.  It was there that I realized that the seven principles for highly effective people could be principles for effective and meaning communication.  A spark ignited my brain and I began to write furiously to want eventually became The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication.

The basic communication model is based on two individual  with a bunch of arrows pointing in all sorts of directions that represent the message, feedback and the channel or medium.  Because I want to keep this pretty short, I will not go in detail with the communication model.  But, if you really want to see it, Google has hundreds of examples from which to choose.  What is important to note from the model is that each model presents communication as a static, linear process.  If anyone has experienced anyone from another culture, communication is not just words.  Communication is verbal and non verbal messages.  Communication is based on moods, emotions, thoughts and feelings.  Communication is affected by past experiences, present observations and future predictions.  Communication is a dynamic, 360 degree, north, south, east and west experience that when fully understood, can drastically affect the dynamics of any situation or circumstance.

But we, to often, just limit communication to the senses of sight and sound.  How unfortunate.  That is where Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication comes into play.  Not only will the Seven Habits incorporate the other senses and emotions, there is also a practically that can be implemented immediately.  There is nothing better that simple, practical advice about anything, and Seven Habits of Highly Effective Communication deliverers.

So, I will leave you with that teaser.  Next week, the topic will be Habit #1-Be Proactive.

If you have any questions, suggestions or feedback about this topic, please feel free to email me at michael_smith70@outlook.com

The Over-qualified/Under-educated Professional

“So this is it? Wow, I cannot believe it ends like this.” My thought as I walked through the plaza at approximately 5:00 PM Friday, June 28, 2013. No personnel present to send me off. No one to render a final salute. Empty.

The scene was quite different a year and a half before. As a new lieutenant arriving at Fort Benning, GA, everywhere I turned I was either saluting or being saluted. The same plaza that would be empty twenty eight months later, today was filled with activity and life. With each, “Good morning, Sir.”, I was filled with the confidence and promise that could only come from a lifetime of striving to reach a goal that seemed ethereal in the beginning to a tangible aspect of my life. I had arrived. And although this was only the beginning of my military career, it was a beginning I had desired my entire life.

This was my home, not necessarily in location, but in my spirit, soul, mind, body. Ever since I was young, I desired to be an Army officer and here I was, shiny gold rank, cocky attitude, ready to tackle what Fort Benning had to offer. Although I a bit long in the tooth to be an infantry officer, I could hang with the young men that I almost doubled in age. Hell, I could have been their father. A fact which made it all the more enjoyable to beat them in the young man’s game of infantry training. I outran, out push-upped, out sit-upped, out chin-upped, out did men half my age and did it well. I graduated and was ready for my next assignment in the big army. Unfortunately, my fate would lead me to a place where not only would my Army career end, but also find myself in a world I would have never believed in a million years I would be in. That world would be unemployed.

Fast forward fifteen months later and here I sit. Since leaving the military, I have been employed a grand total of six months. When I received my honorable discharge, I was confident, borderline arrogant that I would be employed in three months. Six months at the latest. That brash, confidence that filled me when I walked through the plaza January of 2011, filled my being again and I thought with my professional experience, military experience, and education, I would be employed and ready to take on a third career. As time has marched on, that confidence, that swagger has morphed into a pool of emotions that have run the gamut of anger (“WTF!”); to blame (“What is wrong this these people”); to pity (“What is wrong with me?”). My identity once found in camouflage is now seeking a home on the battlefield of silk ties and wingtips. Can I make it here? My only thought is I have no choice.

While navigating through the landmine know as a job search, I have encountered situations that can only be summed up with “Really?” Frustration, anger, confusion, elation, and joy have all manifested themselves in my quest for employment. I have been turned down by phone, letter and email. I have rocked some interviews and totally stunk up others. I have been told I was the number one on the list, but lacked experience; and at another time my experience was too much for the position. My education level gets me qualified. But, because I lack an advanced, I am not in the preferred section. Being a veteran helps, but only if an employer asks about my time and service. Everyday, the search gets tougher, the lists get shorter and the energy drains a little more. But, to give up would be to give up and I cannot give up. Not now, not ever.

So if you find yourself like me, you have probably experienced many of the same emotions that I have encountered in my quest for employment. Also, if you are like me and have a twenty years of experience, but no advanced degree, your search is probably as difficult as mine. If that is the case, I do want to encourage you to not give up. Although it might seem impossible right now to keep your head up, keep it up. As much as it is difficult to keep your shoulders back, chest up and eyes on the prize; keep your shoulders back, chest up and eyes on the prize. Your time is coming.

They say the race isn’t won by the swift, but to those that keep running. You and I know that is a crock. The race is won by the swift. But, sometimes being swift isn’t about speed. It is about what centers you, what directs you, what frees you and what moves you to action. Find that “thing” that encompasses your spirit, your soul, your mind and your body. Once there, there will be nothing you cannot do, no situation to hard, no mountain you cannot climb.

And when it is all said and done and all the rabbits are all out of breath, you and I will do a victory lap. See you at the finish line.