I have received offers for positions that were never advertised. No, this is not an internet scam. I researched companies where I would 'fit' and companies where I would like to work. I wrote them an unsolicited letter of interest. As it happened, those companies had openings and I was the first and best impression HR had of a candidate pool. People are always hiring or considering future hires, even if they cannot do so immediately. This could be the impression you need to make.
Here's how to write a love letter to your future employer:
1. Research companies you would like to work for
2. Out of this list, choose those with which you would best fit (organizational culture, past experience, etc.)
3. Practice by writing a love letter to the PERSON you love most
4. Write your actual letter to the company
5. Send in the MAIL to both HR and to the person who could be your future boss. Not email; response can be too immediate. Simply printing out a letter and forking over $.37 for a stamp shows that you really do care. It does.
Now, I realize #3 has the potential to turn salacious. Please remember these are love letters, not lust letters. A love letter talks about why you love that person, why you would be perfect with that person, how they complete your life, how you plan to complete theirs and all those lofty things true love provides. A Lust letter would say something like, "I like you because you're hot and I want your body. This is what I want to do with you..." While this may be true of the one you love as well, it doesn't have the staying power of the hows and whys you want to be with that person and be with them forever. Bodies get saggy but a cheerful disposition does not.
A lust letter to a business might say, "I want to work with you because I could earn lots of money and have insurance and climb the corporate letter." A love letter talks about your values and how they match those of the company's mission statement. A love letter to a business talks about how your past experience is so completmentary to that company that the love would be mutual.
And if you've ever fallen in love before (NOT lust, love) remember how they were so perfect for you that it made the whole process easier? YOUR letter is making their job search easier for THEM. And they will love you for it.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday: Homework for my Followers
OK, so that just sounds creepy. For people that follow the Blog? One of my job possibilities is teaching at a local technical college so this day can be practice creating and giving out assignments. I may even give prizes for best submission... though they might be lame because only my family follows this blog (you know who you are:))
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wednesday: Not all incentives are $$$
OK, so maybe this is less applicable when there's a good economy, but I do not think so.
Little kids love candy and toys. Thats a no brainer. If you start using these as incentives for good behavior at a public outing, they will expect them every time. Just ask my 3 year old who didn't get jack until this past Christmas when I needed to go on 3 hour errand expeditions for holiday prep. Granted, they work temporarily, but they also create expectations and eventual disappointment (and tantrums) the times when a prize is not readily available. Now that its January and the prizes don't flow, the tantrums do.
Little kids LOVE praise, and knowing that they have pleased their parent. My 3 year old did know this at one time. But they only love it if they are given this when earned. Not for every little thing, mind you. Then they expect their ego stroked non-stop, but when they've put in the effort to genuinely please you and get noticed, they love that reward. Now this reward sucks if they are given candy most of the time and then get a mere, "I'm so proud of you." Not starting this way creates bad habits that can be broken but are difficult to fix in that process. Other cheap rewards are playing their favorite song in the car when you would have had your music time, or one on one time with a parent. For my 3 year old, a fishing trip to the local river means he's been extra good.
So your business has fallen on hard times and you cannot give a raise. What else can you give a loyal employee? My last job had this situation happen and only the top 10% of performers got a 1% raise (yes, 1%) because they wanted to recognize them, but could not afford more. When I was notified of the raise, I politely thanked them and asked if I could get it in vacation time instead. They gave me a blank stare and then I think the reviewers would have kissed me if they could. This would save them money. Instead of a very small amount of extra income which would add up to not much extra after taxes, I got 4 extra days off that year. I would rather have that extra time with my family than the extra income. And technically since it was paid vacation, it was not decreasing my income. From their standpoint, they did not have to pay me extra and I was one of their best workers so they knew they would still get the same or more out of me. Win-win.
Some employees want more responsibility to add to their resume (though don't assume this if you cannot provide a pay increase with it.) Some would be flattered to be invited to that networking group you belong to. Or some have other ideas - ask. A good employee is worth their weight in gold and if you can't fork over the gold, find something they value as much.
Little kids love candy and toys. Thats a no brainer. If you start using these as incentives for good behavior at a public outing, they will expect them every time. Just ask my 3 year old who didn't get jack until this past Christmas when I needed to go on 3 hour errand expeditions for holiday prep. Granted, they work temporarily, but they also create expectations and eventual disappointment (and tantrums) the times when a prize is not readily available. Now that its January and the prizes don't flow, the tantrums do.
Little kids LOVE praise, and knowing that they have pleased their parent. My 3 year old did know this at one time. But they only love it if they are given this when earned. Not for every little thing, mind you. Then they expect their ego stroked non-stop, but when they've put in the effort to genuinely please you and get noticed, they love that reward. Now this reward sucks if they are given candy most of the time and then get a mere, "I'm so proud of you." Not starting this way creates bad habits that can be broken but are difficult to fix in that process. Other cheap rewards are playing their favorite song in the car when you would have had your music time, or one on one time with a parent. For my 3 year old, a fishing trip to the local river means he's been extra good.
So your business has fallen on hard times and you cannot give a raise. What else can you give a loyal employee? My last job had this situation happen and only the top 10% of performers got a 1% raise (yes, 1%) because they wanted to recognize them, but could not afford more. When I was notified of the raise, I politely thanked them and asked if I could get it in vacation time instead. They gave me a blank stare and then I think the reviewers would have kissed me if they could. This would save them money. Instead of a very small amount of extra income which would add up to not much extra after taxes, I got 4 extra days off that year. I would rather have that extra time with my family than the extra income. And technically since it was paid vacation, it was not decreasing my income. From their standpoint, they did not have to pay me extra and I was one of their best workers so they knew they would still get the same or more out of me. Win-win.
Some employees want more responsibility to add to their resume (though don't assume this if you cannot provide a pay increase with it.) Some would be flattered to be invited to that networking group you belong to. Or some have other ideas - ask. A good employee is worth their weight in gold and if you can't fork over the gold, find something they value as much.
Wednesdays: Lessons for Business from Motherhood
This day's posts could be more for mothers but could also be helpful to the (sometimes understandably) child-phobic.
Things you learn raising children that apply to being a successful businessperson. Sometimes explaining a concept is easier if you tell a story about that concept in practice. Example, the feeling sad.
Webster's defines sad. So does wikipedia. But I understand it better when someone says, "remember how you felt at Grandma D's funeral? I think thats how sad I am."
Moms who haven't worked in a while do miss you on every day business experiences so this post may be a bit of a refresher or a learning experience, depending on where you come from.
Things you learn raising children that apply to being a successful businessperson. Sometimes explaining a concept is easier if you tell a story about that concept in practice. Example, the feeling sad.
Webster's defines sad. So does wikipedia. But I understand it better when someone says, "remember how you felt at Grandma D's funeral? I think thats how sad I am."
Moms who haven't worked in a while do miss you on every day business experiences so this post may be a bit of a refresher or a learning experience, depending on where you come from.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday: Stock tip for dummies
Commodities.
This can mean any type of material good that is used either on its own or to create another product.
I watch stocks a little... mostly just let them ride because returns are just as good as stressing over the market on a daily basis.
But I really comb the news for pieces on 'commodities.' The things that things are made of. It stands to reason that if a commodity is in trouble, items that are made using said commodity and companies that use large quantities of said commodity are in trouble.
Coffee... one of my favorite commodities.
Prices have been drastically increasing on this one. Remember those Starbuck drinks that you paid high prices for. Now to make them "your way," you have to pay for each step of customizing the drink. Because of an increase in the coffee's prices. Coffee's increase in cost/price has been known for a while but is only just affecting their stock prices.
Do a simple test by checking stocks of such companies. If the stock has risen, research that company to find out how they are shifting their finances to increase their stock. Because they are. Maybe not illegally, but a steady or increasing stock price in a company reliant on an unlucky commodity will affect that company somewhere. Just be aware of it.
This can mean any type of material good that is used either on its own or to create another product.
I watch stocks a little... mostly just let them ride because returns are just as good as stressing over the market on a daily basis.
But I really comb the news for pieces on 'commodities.' The things that things are made of. It stands to reason that if a commodity is in trouble, items that are made using said commodity and companies that use large quantities of said commodity are in trouble.
Coffee... one of my favorite commodities.
Prices have been drastically increasing on this one. Remember those Starbuck drinks that you paid high prices for. Now to make them "your way," you have to pay for each step of customizing the drink. Because of an increase in the coffee's prices. Coffee's increase in cost/price has been known for a while but is only just affecting their stock prices.
Do a simple test by checking stocks of such companies. If the stock has risen, research that company to find out how they are shifting their finances to increase their stock. Because they are. Maybe not illegally, but a steady or increasing stock price in a company reliant on an unlucky commodity will affect that company somewhere. Just be aware of it.
Tuesdays: ...For Dummies
Tuesday posts are going to be things you learn in graduate school but are really common sense.
Maybe the reader hasn't studied business, fair enough. Or maybe they have. It takes a LONG time for concepts to think into my brain. I wish someone would have explained some things in a 'nutshell' for me. But using real time words.
So these are my nutshells.
Maybe the reader hasn't studied business, fair enough. Or maybe they have. It takes a LONG time for concepts to think into my brain. I wish someone would have explained some things in a 'nutshell' for me. But using real time words.
So these are my nutshells.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Monday: Past Work Experience II
2008-present: Blakester's Booties, Owner & manufacturer.
I forgot about this one! When I had my first child, I had a hard time finding baby shoes that stayed on a newborn's feet. They like to kick a lot. What I did find was made of leather and extremely expensive. Now I do not mind paying $30 for footwear but for footwear that fits feet for a very short period of time that they only wear in doors? There was my objection.
I deconstructed a pair given to me, remade the pattern and purchased a sewing machine. I do have some experience in sewing. I made a few pairs for family, who recommended them to friends and by the end of my first year had covered my initial investment.
This was a FANTASTIC lesson in both entrepreneurship and in setting price points.
Lesson 1: about a quarter of the people who say they would purchase your product actually do when you create said venture.
Lesson 2: That doesn't mean that anyone else will.
Lesson 3: Prices usually end up being lower than you thought or than your initial customers think they should be.
Lesson 4: Your market may not be what you think it is... I can easily charge $10 for a pair of these shoes and still profit. I discovered this in my first year through trial and error. But my mistake was thinking only thrifty moms liked this product. What input did dads have? Not usually many objection over a $10 shoe. However, when I did start making shoes with sports team logos, they would not stay on my shelves. Locally, I can get $15 for them; on craigslist, they sell for $20. Think outside the box.
Marketing has been minimal; business comes by word of mouth. But I have had to halt production at times when I am late into a pregnancy or just plumb busy. Naptimes or after the kids are in bed are 'production time'; but the work is detailed and quality declines when I am in these more tired stages. Business is steady when I allow it to be... which gives this venture many possibilities.
I forgot about this one! When I had my first child, I had a hard time finding baby shoes that stayed on a newborn's feet. They like to kick a lot. What I did find was made of leather and extremely expensive. Now I do not mind paying $30 for footwear but for footwear that fits feet for a very short period of time that they only wear in doors? There was my objection.
I deconstructed a pair given to me, remade the pattern and purchased a sewing machine. I do have some experience in sewing. I made a few pairs for family, who recommended them to friends and by the end of my first year had covered my initial investment.
This was a FANTASTIC lesson in both entrepreneurship and in setting price points.
Lesson 1: about a quarter of the people who say they would purchase your product actually do when you create said venture.
Lesson 2: That doesn't mean that anyone else will.
Lesson 3: Prices usually end up being lower than you thought or than your initial customers think they should be.
Lesson 4: Your market may not be what you think it is... I can easily charge $10 for a pair of these shoes and still profit. I discovered this in my first year through trial and error. But my mistake was thinking only thrifty moms liked this product. What input did dads have? Not usually many objection over a $10 shoe. However, when I did start making shoes with sports team logos, they would not stay on my shelves. Locally, I can get $15 for them; on craigslist, they sell for $20. Think outside the box.
Marketing has been minimal; business comes by word of mouth. But I have had to halt production at times when I am late into a pregnancy or just plumb busy. Naptimes or after the kids are in bed are 'production time'; but the work is detailed and quality declines when I am in these more tired stages. Business is steady when I allow it to be... which gives this venture many possibilities.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Monday: Past work experience
2004-2007: Executive Assistant at a Private Secondary School
- Grant Writing
- Event planning & execution
- Data Mining
- Customer Service
- Interim Director for Admissions during search for Director
- Publication of advertising materials
- Coordinated school visit days for prospective students
- Administrative work for the Fundraising offfice
- Volunteer Coordinator
Basically, I ran the office for less pay than the director. Halfway through, the director quit and I ran the show for 6 months until a replacement was hired. By the time I left, said replacement was still learning the ropes and I was still doing the majority of the work though she was now directing the strategy.
Good job for balancing family time while gaining experience in a difficult market. But bad because of the poor pay and little recognition for the responsibility took on. Obviously I wanted more responsibility to beef up my MBA but basically I was the secretary that would take everything on.
So my dilemma with this one is, how do I convey the vast amount that I did for this job without coming across as bitter that I did more than those above me. I'm not conceited about this; others will agree with the above description. But in an interview or on a resume, it comes across as snotty. How would you couch this on a resume or in an interview?
Monday: Resume Assembly
Monday posts are for resume assembly.
Putting bits and pieces on here that I can use to piece together a banging resume. (Been reading Jamie Oliver's cookbook so excuse the slang.)
I realize I cannot post full details of past employers without giving out food for identity thiefs but I think I can give a fleshed outline. This is the part where I would love feedback.
Putting bits and pieces on here that I can use to piece together a banging resume. (Been reading Jamie Oliver's cookbook so excuse the slang.)
I realize I cannot post full details of past employers without giving out food for identity thiefs but I think I can give a fleshed outline. This is the part where I would love feedback.
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