|
Momorandum Archive »
Executive Momorandum
Get to Work
8/20/2009
- Get to Work
- Our Latest Blog Post
For the annals of Statements of the Obvious: this has been a really
difficult year. Just about all of us have been touched, either directly, or a
mere step or two removed, by job loss. While its very pervasiveness may
have helped erase any possible stigma from having been tagged "goose" this way,
the flip side is that the challenge of restoring oneself to stable (if not
higher) ground has never been more daunting. As such, the latest book
authored by Executive Mom friend, Women for Hire CEO and "Good Morning
America" contributor Tory Johnson could not have been better timed.
From Fired to Hired: Bouncing Back from Job Loss to Get to Work Right Now
 For
starters, it's comforting to know that while Tory sits today atop a career that
most would find enviable, one of her most formative experiences for her career
and this book was getting unceremoniously "let go" at the age of 22, from her
cherished job as an NBC News publicist. While it was a process to get
there, this event set the stage for a realization that she was more cut out for
HR than PR, and eventually a whole new career -- one formed with
compassion for the journey it takes to arrive at successful employment.
In "Fired to Hired," reflecting the duality in the title the opening of the book
is devoted to how to regroup from losing a job, with some reality check lessons
(i.e. "all jobs are temporary" and "don't bad mouth your former boss") ... along
with guidance on how to define your goals and keep yourself motivated.
From there, the book goes on to offer a useful range of specific and modern
insights about how to get yourself hired. A couple of examples:
-
Understand that recruiters (and automated systems to
review résumés)
search job boards and networks like LinkedIn by using
keywords and phrases to find possible
matches. Thus, before applying to a specific position study the
keywords in the post and make sure your résumé
includes some of that precise language. By the way, LinkedIn's top
résumé clichés?
"Proven track record," "problem solver," "cutting edge," "results oriented,"
and "fast paced."
-
Band together with others in a
job club -- a support group where you can share contacts and job
leads, brainstorm for new ideas and boost each other's spirits. (There
is a whole chapter in the book on how to form and run one).
Cut to the end for an extensive index of resources (many of
them online) for job searching by industry, flexible placement firms, and
resources for making money at home. And, peppered throughout of the book
are real world stories (see ours, page 125!)
that offer some of the best nuggets of wisdom... while confirming without being
trite that there will ultimately be a new door opening.
Fired to Hired: Bouncing Back from Job Loss to Get to Work Right Now
Our Latest Blog Post... and More on ExecutiveMoms.com
 We
invite you to read our latest blog post, "A Jacket and Heels in a Sea of Spandex
and Asics." Does that visual ring a bell? And we pose this
potentially provocative thought: do moms do, even if inadvertently and somewhat
benignly, our own form of "racial profiling," as we assess a 'stiletto' from a
'sneaker'?
Read it and share your thoughts!
Plus, there is lots more happening on the Executive Moms
Network. Check out our newest members, from all around the country
(and beyond). Read other members' blog posts. Jump in on new
discussion topics like "What do you tip your kids'
camp counselors?" And of course, per the feature of this
week's Momorandum, make this your best source for personal networking!
Visit the
Executive Moms Network
|
