Eight myths about CVs

Eight myths about CVs by Amber Rolfe When it comes to writing the perfect CV, it can sometimes seem as if everyone’s an expertUnfortunately, opinion is often mixed when it comes to what’s right and wrong. And whether you’re just starting out in your career, or you’re more experienced as a jobseeker, it can be difficult to distinguish between the two.So how do you know the difference between CV fact and CV fiction? Here are eight myths you should avoid when writing your CV:1. It’s never actually read by a real personIt’s a common misconception that whenever you upload your CV online, it will only be read by a computer system scanning for keywords.The fact is that a recruiter will always read a CV you’ve submitted to them directly, even if they decide to skim-read it themselves. Cramming in an excessive amount of obvious keywords will only make your CV look repetitive and unoriginal.There may be a chance they use an online database to source your CV, which is where this myth stems from , but unless you’re specifically writing something with this in mind, it’s time to put your robot recruiter paranoia to rest.2. It’s a ’one size fits all’ document for every jobWe hate to break this to you, but sending the same CV every time isn’t an option.Recruiters are pretty quick to spot who’s passionate about the role and who’s just throwing out CVs everywhere they can and seeing who bites. In their eyes you’ve probably applied to hundreds of others with no real interest or attention, and wouldn’t even know what the company was if you got a response.Take the time to research the role you’re applying for and tailor your CV to fit the requirements of the job, and you’ll start to dramatically increase your chances.Remember: It’s better to spend more time and effort applying to two or three jobs than applying to ten without even reading the job description.3. CVs should include everything you’ve ever doneSo you did two weeks work experience in a nursery in Year 10 â€" that’s cool. But unless you’re applying to a job in childcare, then it’s probably not worth mentioning.Remember, your CV should only be two pages maximum. Only include relatively recent, applicable experience that shows what transferrable skills you have learned and can carry over to your future role.Otherwise your CV will be way too long and full of unnecessary information.4. You don’t need a CV anymoreWriting a CV is so last century. Surely that old formality is basically obsolete by now, right?Not true. People commonly make the mistake of thinking that these days who you know’ is more important than ‘what you know’, and as long as they get in with the right crowd and get a friend to recommend them, a CV is totally unnecessary. Social networking sites are undoubtedly a good way of promoting yourself and your achievements, but still aren’t a suitable alternative to a CV.In fact, there are very few exceptions where you can get away with not having a C V. To avoid any potential embarrassment, always provide one for any job you’re applying for.5. Work gaps must be explained in detailSo you didn’t work for a few years because you were busy having a baby, or had to address a family emergency abroad which meant you living unemployed in Alaska for a year it happens.You’re entitled to a personal life outside of work, and you don’t need to broadcast every detail of it for the benefit of your prospective employer.Keep your CV professional and focus on the positive, not the negative.  Recruiters are more interested in your experience and skills, and any gaps of less than a year or so aren’t likely to prove much of a hindrance when it comes to landing the role.If you’re still struggling, try reading our tips on how to explain a gap in your CV.6. Sports and hobbies are a vital part of every CVIf you have a unique, exciting hobby that makes you stand out e.g. you go snowboarding in the Alps every month, or you’re a pro rock cl imber â€" then feel free to mention it in your CV. Especially if these hobbies have gained you awards or you’ve taken part in big events like charity fundraisers.However, don’t feel you have to include something. Everybody likes ’socialising with friends’ and ’going to the cinema’. It’s a given. Nobody hates socialising with their own friends. If you do you need to get some better friends. Or, possibly, some kind of cat.If in doubt, just think whether it’s a good conversation starter. Or you could read our guide on what hobbies and interests to include on your CV. That too…7. Grades are top considerationBe selective with what qualifications you include.If you’ve just finished your GCSEs or A levels, or you’ve gone for a graduate position, placing emphasis on what you’ve studied is fine. Although you might want to save space by listing them as eleven GCSEs A-C instead of addressing every single subject.If you’re slightly further on in your career, it’s not likely that GCSEs will be the most important deciding factor for an employer. So focus on your highest qualification (e.g. your degree), or more professional qualifications. Simple.8. A few typos and grammatical errors are expected, no big dealIt’s important that you go through and proof read your CV for errors in text and presentation.The odd spelling mistake might not seem like the worst thing in the world, but it will suggest you lack attention to detail and indicate that you’ve rushed in creating it.There’s no point risking losing out just because the competition have used spell check on their document and you haven’t â€" especially if one of the job requirements is ’attention to detail’.Final thoughtsAlthough creating a good CV is important, there’s more work to come before you get the job.If you succeed in impressing a recruiter with your CV then you’ve passed the first test and got yourself an interview, but not the job (yet). It’s up to you to prove yourse lf from there, and make sure what you’ve written on paper matches up to real life.Need more CV advice?It takes an employer just seven seconds to save or reject a job applicant’s CV. This means creating a succinct CV is absolutely vital if you want to land that all-important interview. To find out how to make your CV stand out from the crowd, buy James Reed’s new book: The 7 Second CV: How to Land the Interview.Still searching for your perfect position? Have a look at all of our current vacancies nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the CVs Preparing for an interview

Tips for Protecting Your Small Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Tips for Protecting Your Small Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Whereas big businesses tend to have a variety of well-staffed departments devoted to the legal, physical and digital protection of their business, small business owners often must take a more hands-on approach to protecting their operations. Small businesses face unique challenges and risks that their larger counterparts do not, making encompassing protection an extreme priority. Here are the top 10 tips for protecting your small business’ legal, physical and digital standing. Protect Against Malware Failing to protect your business’ computers from malware is akin to leaving your door open at night. Anyone could stroll in and steal valuable data or tamper with your network. Small businesses especially lack comprehensive IT departments, so equipping each computer with malware protection is a must. Turning the firewall on is the bare minimum first step, though it takes more than a firewall. Consider security software that will prevent against intrusions, though without hindering performance. Additionally, hold a mandatory training session regarding basic computer security, including not opening suspicious email attachments and never giving out personal login information, even if its a request from IT or administration. Establish the protocol that login information requests will only be in-person. Require Strong Passwords Its easy enough to have an employee use a password like bAseBall18 instead of simply baseball. The change can make the difference between a massive hack and nothing at all. To further prevent successful hacking attempts, require strong passwords with a length of at least eight characters, at least one number and at least one special character, like ! or @. Although employees may not enjoy the more difficult-to-remember password, the added security makes the inconvenience worthwhile. For additional security, require a new password once every few months. The average cost of a data breach is $3.79 million, a number that could easily drive a small business into insolvency or even bankruptcy. Even small steps like password standards can make a huge difference in a matter as important as data protection. Ban or Heavily Monitor BYOD   Employers with a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy can increase productivity. When employees bring machines they’re accustomed to using, they can save time. As a bonus, they’ll be able to continue work from home seamlessly. However, personal computers are unlikely to abide by company protocol on digital security. As a result, its more secure to not allow external devices. If it makes budgetary sense for a small business not to purchase a work computer for each employee, require the installation of universal security software that can prevent against hacking attempts. Ensure Business Name and Logo Uniqueness   Your business image is extremely important, including its name and logo. As a result, choosing a name with no litigation potential is crucial. Ideally, before settling on a name, do all research possible to ensure there are no similar names or logos, within your niche especially. State and federal name registries are a great place to start looking, in addition to domain name searches. Being forced to change your business name or logo can hinder progress and confuse consumers, on top of legal fees. Obtain All Necessary Permits and Licenses Required permits and licenses vary by business type and location, so its up to the small business to dig deeper. Failure to have a license or permit can, in some cases, lead to a business dissolving. Its worthwhile for small businesses to hire a knowledgeable attorney on retainer so they can be entirely certain they are operating legally. Being forced to shut down due to a lack of the necessary permits and licenses can have an extreme cost, both financially and regarding reputation. Use Written Contracts and Agreements Small businesses tend to enter into numerous contracts with other small businesses or individuals. Especially in these cases, it’s a best practice to use written contracts or agreements. A contract will show the partner youre serious about fulfilling your end of the transaction, while also ensuring any failure on their behalf will fairly compensate your business. The time involved in preparing contracts is well worth the security blanket for small businesses. Operate a Safe Workplace Small businesses should strive to maintain a safe environment for their employees, both for their physical and mental well-being. They should handle any claims of harassment or unjust treatment with the utmost seriousness and thoroughness. Failure to acknowledge or treat such an issue can result in a costly lawsuit and poor image that can drive a small business to ruins. Similarly, all businesses need to comply with OSHA guidelines and standards, as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Employers have a responsibility to inform employees about hazards, maintain accurate records of workplace injuries and illnesses, in addition to notifying OSHA or any workplace incident within eight hours of the incident occurring. Put Arbitration Clauses in Contracts It’s a good idea for small businesses to include an arbitration clause in their contracts, requiring the parties to resolve their disputes first through an arbitration process. Arbitration clauses can avoid thousands upon thousands in legal fees for both parties. While a larger business may be willing to battle in court, many small businesses do not have the resources to pursue a lengthy legal claim, making arbitration clauses a desirable aspect for small businesses dealing with contracts. Invest in a Security System   Small businesses should consider a security system as a worthwhile investment. A series of camera feeds you can access in real time is not an exorbitant cost, considering the cameras presence alone can deter criminal activity. Additionally, if a crime does occur, businesses will have a much likelier chance of catching the culprit and reclaiming their lost data or material. Back up Data Routinely It doesn’t take a hacker to wipe all your data. A major technical malfunction can destroy data just as effectively. Small businesses can prevent against both cases by routinely backing up their data. Cloud platforms often provide automated backup features. For example, Google Drive automatically saves all edits. Small businesses should get into the habit of backing up their sensitive data very regularly. Small businesses can enhance their security in every capacity, especially in the legal and digital realms, by following these 10 tips. Stay informed on changes to your industry and to new technologies that will help keep your business safer!

No Job After College Try These 4 Things - Career Sidekick

No Job After College Try These 4 Things - Career Sidekick No Job After College? Try These 4 Things Recent Grads / https://www.edenscott.com/blog Its very common to have difficulty finding a job in your field after graduating. In fact, finding any job at all can be difficult!So if you have no job after college, dont feel bad. Youre NOT alone.There are a couple things you can do to maximize your chance of succeeding though.Follow these four steps to boost your chances of getting a job you loveNo Job After College? 4 Things to Try#1 Network like CRAZYAnyone can do this. I had almost zero network when I graduated university.I planned on moving to Korea to teach English for a year, and decided not to at the last minute.So I had no job leads, and had really neglected my network (because I thought I wouldnt need it).So even if you have nothing right now, you can talk to your academic advisers and former professors.Talk to classmates and friends.Tell your parents and family youre job searching too (and what youre looking for). If people dont know youre job hunting, they cant help you.If you want detail ed steps on how to build your network (including by cold messaging people who you think could introduce you to great companies), I wrote a full article on why networking is the fastest way to find a job.But if youre not making the most of the people you know, and occasionally taking steps to meet new people and grow your network, youre leaving a BIG opportunity on the table.Here are a couple ways to meet new people:Go to local meetups related to the industry you are interested in. Meetup.com and Facebook groups are great ways to find these events.Contact people on LinkedIn and ask a question about their experience working for their employer (explain that youre job searching and curious what the work environment is like). Word-for-word example of a message can be found here.Ask people in your current network if theres anyone they can refer you to. Find out if they know anyone who would be valuable for you to speak with in your job hunt.#2 Apply directly to growth-stage companiesIm su re youve seen a lot of companies out there require experience, and wont hire someone who is entry-level. Very frustrating, right?However, theres one type of company that typically LOVES to hire entry level people.Fast-growing, new companies. Growth-stage companies.By applying to growth-stage companies, you multiply the chance that theyre looking for entry level people.I wrote an article about this here.Fast-growing companies often like to train people and promote from within as they build their company culture and expand their operations.You also greatly increase the chance youll be selected in the interview, because theyre often hiring multiple people at the same time, for the same role.  Would you rather interview with 10 other people for one open position? Or interview with 10 other people for six open positions? The choice is pretty obvious.Because of this, applying directly to fast-growing companies is one of  my 3 best methods to find a job right now, especially for recent gra duates who havent found a job after college.#3 Level-up your interview skillsThink about this for a second when you go into the interview, the hiring manager has never seen you work a single day in your life.So theyre deciding whether to hire entirely based on what you say.This is the power of interview skills. What you say in the interview has the power to get you hired for the top, highest-paying jobs out there.Or if youre making interview mistakes, employers wont give you a chance to show what youre capable of. It could definitely be the reason you have no job after college.The bottom line is building great interview skills can change your career and allow you to get the best jobs.If you learn how to give great interview answers, and discover what employers want to hear, youll have a massive advantage every time you change positions and earn far more money in your career.If you want to build better interview skills, here are a couple free resources to help you immediately:100+ c ommon interview questions to practiceStep-by-step job interview prep checklistMy elevator pitch script to introduce yourself in any interview or networking event14 signs your interview went poorly (and you should practice more)#4 Consider relocatingIf you did well in school, picked a great major or field of study, and still cant find job, it might be your location.Some regions just dont have many job opportunities.My advice:Youre young, you just graduated. If you think your location is holding you back, and your personal life allows for it, consider relocating.Different regions have clusters of companies from certain industries (for example, I used to recruit for Biotech companies, and theyre clustered in San Francisco, Boston, New Jersey, Maryland, and a few other cities).Yes, you can find a biotech company out in Indiana.But its going to be more difficult to get hired, and youll be stuck with that one employer for 20-30 years unless you relocate in the future. Not good.(And if Ive seen one thing as a recruiter, the best way to keep your salary LOW is to stay with one employer for 20+ years.)So if Ive convinced you to consider relocating, here are some steps you can take right now:Decide what industry you want to work in mostDo your research and figure out where the clusters are located for this industry. What cities or regions are most of the companies located in?Once you have a list of the biggest cities/regions for your industry, pick the most attractive one or two regions based on personal factors proximity to friends and family, cost of living, climate, or anything else you care about! Think about where youd actually like to live.Prepare your resume for an out-of-state job searchStart applying for jobs in this new city or stateRepeat and AdjustJob searching isnt an exact science. The steps above should help you find a job after college, but you may need to test a few things, make adjustments, etc.If you send some cold messages on LinkedIn and dont get a ny replies, change the script.If you go on four interviews and dont get any callbacks, its time to work on your interview skills more and figure out where youre making mistakes.And things dont happen overnight. You need to apply for a lot of jobs and keep your effort going.But if you try these steps, make adjustments and improve, you WILL find a job after college.Good luck and I hope this article gave you new hope, motivation and most importantly a gameplan youre excited to move forward with in your job search.

Recruiters Dont Expect a Return on Investment from LinkedIn! (Part 2)

Recruiters Don’t Expect a Return on Investment from LinkedIn! (Part 2) They’ve restricted your searches and freed up access to 3rd level contacts â€" everyone’s scared and delighted! Last year I blogged about recruiters not expecting a return on investment from LinkedIn. I predicted (and so did my cat!) that the era for the free use of social media is coming to an end.   I suggested that recruitment leaders needed to get a handle on the value of, for example, LinkedIn to their workforce, their business process, and ultimately their bottom line.   Some people did this, most recruiters did not… what a situation! Recruiter catastrophe! Last week LinkedIn made what some recruiters see as a drastic change to their free system.  Or rather they made several interesting changes: They started to “ration” the amount of searches that users of their free system can do and some of my clients found themselves not being able to search 3 days into the month LinkedIn opened up your 3rd level connections Both changes were “announced” via an update to the help desk content. The screen that some of  my clients were lucky enough to get within a nano-second of coming back from Xmas suggest that they upgrade. We’re doomed! Recruiters were going a little mad, holes were opening up to the Earth’s crust, long dead giant predators were marauding the community and aliens were landing….  Or rather a very small, but incredibly active, section of the LinkedIn community were going totally nuts.   Some of them mailed me their screen shots in a panic. I dug about a bit, contacted LinkedIn and was sent this link describing the change note the fact that you will have no idea what your limit is until you get to 30% left and then the Doomsday clock  starts to get really loud! Note too, though, that you  can now see 3rd level connections.  This is awesome   but was met with derision by some of my contacts who already who invest in licences  to see this data, or who are clever monkeys and can get around the system. How very dare you ask me to pay for LinkedIn? I blogged about this concept last year â€" that I feel that if you are to get value from LinkedIn you will eventually (perhaps today?) pay for access to it.  Why is such a problem I wonder? I don’t go into Tesco grab an apple, eat it and walk out.  So, do I think that recruiters need to pay for Linkedin?  Absolutely â€" if they make money from it â€" and here lies the rub. Are  recruiters actually making money from LinkedIn? I think it’s safe to state that most recruiters would have a hissing fit if LinkedIn was no longer an option for them. But do they really have a handle on what fees they generate, candidates they source, clients they keep warm, brands they improve, vacancy opportunities they source, from LinkedIn?  What the average recruiter can get from LinkedIn is huge!  This is reflected in their responses to when it goes down (rarely) and when it updates  (often). When it comes to proof of return,  though, I don’t see enough recruiters with stats and smiles. I am a massive advocate of respecting LinkedIn. This is not born out of some weird altar I have in my house or any relationships I have with the business. Rather I respect tech which makes things possible and quick, even whilst sat on the toilet! (I’ve done a poll and lots of you recruiters do business on the loo!) Get a grip on ROI, recruiters! Why is it that so many recruitment leaders seem to be ok with the fact that their staff spend so long using kit, software, systems, without being able to prove ROI? I assume they are ok with it as they often don’t have a handle on it. A recruiter’s day starts when they wake up and check their phones.   I bet that LinkedIn gets a good seeing to before the teeth are brushed.  Who’s investing any real time fixing the “how much is LinkedIn worth to my business” conundrum?  How do you feel about having your searches rationed?   Where do you think that the fee-paying model will stop with LinkedIn?  Surely now is the time  to add a value to LinkedIn so you can ascertain when  it is ok for it to cost?

How to Use Resume Examples and Writing Tips

How to Use Resume Examples and Writing TipsIn order to increase your chances of being hired for a good paying job after graduation, or to land a good job with good prospects upon graduation, one of the best things you can do is to apply for a few jobs in high school and post your resume examples and writing tips online. Make sure that it is clear and concise so that you will not have any problems in getting interviews.With the current economic state of the country, some people are still struggling to find good opportunities for jobs, especially those who graduated from high school this year. Companies will be more willing to hire someone with a college degree or certification, and they are going to pay more money for a person with a diploma. It is a good idea to get an education while you are still in high school so that you are less likely to leave school with your grades suffering.High school graduates that have just finished up college can use resume examples and writing tips to h elp them get noticed and get the ball rolling in the right direction. Many companies that were hesitant to hire graduates from high school for jobs previously have changed their minds. They now realize that they are putting their money in the wrong hands by not hiring young graduates with resumes that do not measure up to current standards.You may find that your past teachers or classmates may want to know how you did when you were in high school. Send a letter to your high school counselor or your mentor letting them know that you have a resume up on the internet and asking them if they would like to see it. The reason for this is because if your resume is not good enough, then you are not going to get interviewed. Of course, this will not happen immediately, but you will have a better chance of getting hired with a little time.The first thing that you need to do after you post your resume examples and writing tips is to decide what type of job you want. Once you know what type of job you want, then you can start looking for an internship. If you are lucky enough to find an internship, then you need to start looking for a job that requires an internship.The second thing that you will need to do is to learn all about resumes and how to write one that will help you get into a good job with a good salary. There are several sites that will teach you how to write one, but most of them are free. The one thing that you need to remember is that these are free and do not provide any material that is not quality or unique.The next thing that you will need to do is to look at some resume examples and writing tips and make sure that you are writing one that is very clear and concise. You can take these examples and writing tips and use them as a guide, but the goal is to put them together into one resume that can get you hired into a job as soon as possible.Finally, make sure that you keep up with your high school job search so that you will not have any problems. Keep i n touch with your teachers and classmates and do not hesitate to send out a resume. Using resume examples and writing tips, you can get through the competition to get hired by a good company.

Learn, Grow and Change- Todays Career Mantra

Learn, Grow and Change- Todays Career Mantra Learn, grow and change arent typically the three things you think of when you consider career advice. But those are three words to take seriously and Ill explain why. Who likes change? Many equate the word with the helpful psycho babble of doing stuff we dont like or dont want to do. Yet in todays rocky wacky world, change is the norm. So what can you do to embrace it- or at least not fight it? Set Your Direction In 2013, I selected three words to guide me. This idea came from Chris Brogan several years ago and I really like it. Heres why. We get so busy and distracted its easy to lose focus. But using these three words helps ground me and helps keep me focused when I feel out of control. It is never too early or too late to develop new habits for the new year! Learn, Grow and Change will be my three words for 2014. I have found myself stuck in habits that no longer deliver results. And Ive become complacent with the body of knowledge Ive acquired. My challenge and yours, is to develop a new pattern, system, or ritual to catapult us into 2014! What will your three words be?   Embrace Life-Long Learning A common quotable you dont know what you dont know can only be resolved when we learn new things.  You could try the Tim Ferris method of learning. Ferris, famous for his book, The Four-Hour Work Week, believes you can learn anything in four steps. Lifehacker shares more on this and a TNW video talk by Ferris. Ive reviewed and recommended many books- reading is another way to learn! Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk To Sell Is Human, Daniel Pink The Start-up of You by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha Check out my many recommendations on Pinterest! What new thing will you learn to do in 2014?   Learn How To Grow Where You Are Planted Grow and thrive! Under the best conditions (good soil, sun and water) any plant can survive. But what about less-than-ideal conditions? Can a plant still grow? Yes, they adapt by growing towards the sun or developing deeper root systems. Personal growth can also happen when you try new things or step out of your comfort zone. You can (and should) rise above the toxicity, unfairness, or neglect. There is something really empowering about making the best out of a bad situation!  Turn lemons into lemonade! 5 Reasons to Learn, Grow and Change in Your Job Search In todays US News World Report post, I dive into the 5 reasons you need to mix-up your job search for better results! I hope youll have a read. If you like it, heck, share it.

More Than Luck Two Empowering Career Ah-hahs - Hire Imaging

More Than Luck Two Empowering Career “Ah-hahs” - Hire Imaging I often begin my work with clients managing expectations around the job search. Folks can get stuck in their careers by caving into assumptions. One of these is that the lion’s share of their past successes has revolved around luck â€" or the lack thereof. And one of the things I love best about career coaching is having clients share light-bulb flashes â€" flashes when they seized new information or reframed old perceptions in ways that empowered them in their search. So, it was a delightful double-header day recently when two clients shared feedback pertaining to ah-hah moments about Lady Luck. Marilyn Marilyn had a tough time thinking that she had much control over her job search outcomes. She was convinced that her prior career path was “sheer luck.” She had taken a receptionist job right out of high school, and had always seemed to be “in the right place at the right time” for opportunities within her employer organization. When coming to me, she was really scared. A stay-at-home mom for 18 years, she was now reentering the workforce  in an administrative support role. She was frustrated. “I have sent out hundreds of resumes, spent hours studying job boards and postings, and gone to a few interviews â€" only to hear ‘no’ or worse, nothing.” Fast forward to a month after Marilyn and I began working together. She was indulging in her favorite treat, a pedicure; and telling the technician about her search and what she was looking for. It “just so happened” that the director of operations for headquarters (salon where Marilyn was getting pampered) had confided that she was “terribly busyâ€"her executive assistant had just left”. The technician personally referred Marilyn   to the director. Marilyn followed this up with a phone call and her resume. She got the job. Marlyn told me at first, she felt lucky again; that it was another “right place at the right time”. Then she realized that this went beyond stepping into a new career as a result of her visit to have her toes prettified. “I stopped dead in my tracks at the grocery store when it hit me. I could pat myself on the back for this one. I was smart enough to keep my skills up to date with the latest training and fabulous volunteer office work. I have a kick-butt resume  and LinkedIn profile; and impeccable references. I knew that I should take advantage of a natural referral network around people’s being curious about each other and passing relevant information along. I worked it and it worked!” Josh Josh wanted a job with an environmental sustainability group, so representing his part-time employer, he joined the local Chamber of Commerce which promoted these types of initiatives. Josh assisted with events, field trips, classes, front desk work, membership drives and even janitorial chores. He got to know Bill, the Chamber’s executive director. Josh shared ideas with Bill on how the Chamber might expand quite inexpensively to include sustainability in its offerings to area youth. One day, Bill invited Josh to a staff meeting; after the meeting there was a lunch. One thing led to another. A woman from a nearby metro area was visiting the Chamber. She needed a manager for a new program she was launching to acclimate high school youth to a “green living”.   Bill mentioned Josh’s name, and Josh was hired a few weeks later. “I felt that all in all, I was pretty lucky,” Josh told me. “Lucky, my foot, I chided myself as I slowly grasped what had really happened. I found my target employer, asserted myself to become involved in its activities, used a personal referral to learn about a job opportunity, self-initiated informational interviews with the staff and volunteers and made observations of daily happenings as if I were Sherlock-Holmes.” And my own observations of Josh’s progress confirmed that Josh had applied two of his strong transferable skills â€" skills that we had coached on bringing to the table in his search: communication and assessment. He had made a thorough self-assessment  to decide that the Chamber was a good target employer. He had obviously used communication savvy in talking with staff, guests and other folks woven in and out of the scenarios. Own it and have fun. As we digested what Josh had done, he said he felt a sense of power. Yes, some of the right people came onto the scene to help him. But he had positioned himself in the right place, at the right time; with the right skills and attitude; and with a thoughtfully-internalized, written and articulated message. In their ah-hah moments, both Marilyn and Josh took control, used their life skills and made it fun. Lady Luck was not getting the credit. Photo: Tsahi Levent-Levi