Friday, October 15, 2010

Working Even Smarter!

It has been awhile since I posted on this blog, and I have been busy with a lot of things. First of all, I am now blogging on several different websites -- www.beyond.com, www.ehow.com, www.blissique.com, and www.skirt.com. Also, I've been busy reinventing myself and my business. I have found that in order to succeed in today's fast changing business environment, you need to be able to morph quickly to keep up with your clients and one step ahead of your competition.

However, working smart doesn't just apply to the business world. You need to be smart about everything...your finances, family, home, relationships, how you spend your time and how you care for yourself. You need to be able to wade through the deluge of information that is available...some good and some not so good...in order to find the best for yourself. Then, you have to be able to filter it through the lens of your own life and needs to see what is best for you.

What I propose to offer in "WorkingSmartWorks!" is an place where you can find good advice, tips, suggestions--whatever you want to call them--on how to live your life to the fullest, save money, be successful, and find out what's best for you. No cookie cutters. No menu plans that must be followed to the letter. No hard and fast rules. A lot of information and suggestions that you can take or leave, but will give you food for thought and real help for living life to the fullest. I'll be drawing from my own experiences, those close to me, and things that I have found to be beneficial in my own life. My mistakes are great teachers, and I've made quite a few. You may be able to apply those lessons to your own, or just read, chuckle and move on.

The topics will vary widely--business, the workplace, food, children, relationships, travel--whatever seems to be on my mind and what I think can be of benefit. You can also give some suggestions on topics you'd like to hear about. Send me an email at maryhn@mjnhconsulting.com and let me know what is on your mind, or what you'd like to hear about.

There is always a faster, smarter, better way to do things. Saving money in this economy is always a hot topic, and I learned a lot of things from my mother growing up on how to have a lot with practically nothing. WorkingSmart is working--not getting someone to feel sorry for you and pay your way. No, WorkingSmart is how to accomplish something in life so that you enjoy life and have confidence, self-esteem and are able to share your abundance with others.

If this interests you, check in from time to time to see what the current topic is. WorkingSmartWorks!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Make Your Resume Stand Out!

Even though the economic and job reports still seem dismal, there is evidence that things are getting better and companies are beginning to post jobs again. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of unemployed that want to compete for those new jobs, you are going to need all the help you can get. I recently worked with a young man in the hospitality industry that wasn't getting any interviews, and needed some help. Through the discovery and coaching process, I was able to extract from his past experience a solid, dynamic resume that got him at least six interviews, resulting in a new position with a five-star hotel. The market may be tough, but there are jobs out there for the taking, only if you have the right tools and strategy.

Great education, work experience and cutting-edge skills won't get you anywhere unless you can communicate effectively to a prospective employer why YOU are the one that they can't live without. As an HR Director for over seven years, I reviewed thousands of resumes. The first thing that I would look for was a summary statement -- the prospective candidate would have 30 seconds or so of my time to impress me and make me want to read further. Sadly, not many made the cut. Now, more than ever, your resume has to be able to be clear, concise, and effectively market you in 30 seconds or less. Otherwise, it's on to the next one.

A resume won't get you the job...its purpose is to get you an interview. It has to prompt someone to make a phone call to get more information. If your phone hasn't been ringing despite sending out all those resumes, these tips may help:

1. When you email your resume, put your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line. Companies post a lot of jobs at one time, and this helps Human Resources (HR) identify you with a particular job right away.

2. Always, ALWAYS, send a hard copy of your resume after you apply online. You can usually find the address of the company online, and address it to the contact identified in the job post, or if no one is specified, to Human Resources. Use the person's name if you can locate it. The hard copy reinforces the email, and if HR didn't see your email, it may make them go back and look for it.

3. Put the date that you emailed your resume in your cover letter. It makes it easier for HR to locate the email version. Your name in the subject line will make you stand out.

4. Start out with a dynamite summary statement. No canned phrases cut and pasted from some Internet site. After looking at hundreds of resumes, HR professionals can spot boilerplate resume content immediately. Take some time and write your own. Three sentences is all you need. The first gives an overall statement of your experience. The second drills down to your particular areas of expertise. The third is all about you as a person -- traits and values that make you the right person for the company and its culture.

There is much more to a dynamic resume that gets results, and I'll continue in future posts. If you are not a writer, or have been unsuccessful in your search, stack the deck in your favor and get a professional to work with you on your resume. The investment will deliver results and cut down on the time it takes to get that first paycheck. A great resume is an investment from which you can expect a great return.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Five Tips to Retain Your Top Talent - NOW

Economic and employment news are frustrating at best. How can job numbers be going up when so many are still out of work? Since it's true that things run in cycles (like the Ice Ages) the economy IS going to get better. People will be finding new jobs again.

Some of them may be your company's top talent. According to the New York Post, 55% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs. Who can blame them? The recession has pushed employers to the brink trying to survive, and some of the dollars saved have been at the expense of their employees. When companies begin hiring again, those employees that have been "toughing it out" at jobs they hate will race out the door faster than Evil Knievel.

Employees have been taking it on the chin for awhile, as companies cut out paid holidays, required them to pay a higher percentage for their health care premiums, and eliminated some benefits altogether. Gone is the company picnic, birthday celebrations, and the off-site Holiday party. Bonuses disappeared, incentives were eliminated. Even internal transfers have been hit as employers cut back (or eliminated) relocation bonuses, paid moving expenses, housing assistance. A relocation package just a year ago with a house-hunting trip for a family of four, temporary housing and an unlimited moving budget (packing and unpacking) has shrunk to a lump sum reimbursement and a welcome note. Unwilling to make a move in an uncertain economy, talented employees with sought-after skills are biding their time until a revived economy offers opportunities for advancement, higher salaries and a better work experience.

How can you retain your top talent? How can you stave off the executive recruiter who now has an abundance of jobs to fill and is going after your best and brightest? Here are Five Tips To Retain Your Top Talent Now.

1. NOW is the time to assess what toll the recession and your own cost-cutting measures may have taken on your human capital. Conduct a survey, have some informal meetings, led by an outside facilitator. What has hurt the most, and what can you do to heal the wounds? Surveys don't count unless you actually implement some of the suggestions. Which leads to Tip #2.

2. Put things back, if you can, or devise a plan to restore some of the benefits or perks that were lost as the business recovers. If profits go up, and there is no consideration for what the employees have sacrificed to turn things around, they won't be around for the celebration party.

3. Resurrect the career plans and "fast-track" programs that show employees what they can expect by staying. Show how they will be able to learn and progress "up the ladder" as jobs expand or are added to the org chart.

4. Reassess the quality of work life you offer. Dust off the employee handbook, and compare it to the reality of the Facebook and Twitter generations. Do you still have outdated policies or dress codes on the books that have outlived their value? How can you make it more comfortable for your employees so they can be more productive?

5. How does your workforce communicate? Still churning out paper memos, or restricting communication by grade level or line on the org chart? Even Baby Boomers want more access and are savvy on the latest electronic communications tools. One of the highest rated employee satisfaction indicators is "being in on things." Open up the communications, especially when the upturn begins.

The most important thing is to get your employees involved now...everyone. Once the "Prosperity Train" leaves the station, you may find that some of your top employees purchased advance tickets and are already in their seats. Find a way to engage your workforce now in planning for the good times ahead, and you'll have more familiar faces around the table for years to come.