Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

Tiger Woods Cheats and Isn’t True to His Values

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

“I have not been true to my values…” is part of Tiger Woods’ statement released today amidst the fallout from his November 27 early morning car crash.  The question is, which values does he mean?

Many people know they have values of family, home, good work ethic, and not stealing, cheating or lying.  However they often aren’t aware of the core values they hold dear.  If Tiger examined his core values, maybe he’d discover his above statement is inaccurate regarding his current situation.  Perhaps his core values include adventure and risk-taking and those may be higher-held than the values of loyalty and commitment. There’s no judgement here.  We all prioritize our values and make choices.  With awareness, we can make conscious choices aligned with our higher-held values, rather than our lower-held values.  When we honor our higher-held values, we cause less pain to ourselves and others.

Values aren’t right or wrong, they simply are, and they can change over time.  Knowing one’s values allows one to make conscious choices which honor those values and prevent a conflict such as Tiger’s current situation.  If he values adventure and risk-taking above loyalty and commitment, it may be fair to say he was not true to his core values when he chose to enter into a committed relationship and marry.  Which is the bigger transgression?  Adventure and risk-taking may be fitting core values, and advantageous, for a competitive professional athlete.

People find themselves at odds with their core values many times without realizing it and it’s often because of lack of knowledge of their core values.  Consider:

  • The woman who spends “too much” time at work and not enough at home.  She may be honoring her core values of achievement and recognition which are met through work rather than home.
  • The man who thinks life isn’t much fun any more, as he goes through the motions day-to-day.  He may not be honoring his core value of fun and he’s not looking for ways to incorporate fun into his life on a daily basis.
  • The woman who never seems to rise to her potential may actually be honoring her values of community and partnership over accomplishment and responsibility.
  • The man who is struggling with transition may find it harder than others because his core values of balance and security aren’t being met.

It’s important to understand what your core values are and your definition or meaning of each value.  With this awareness, you can make choices in alignment with your higher-held core values.  You can alleviate the feeling that life is unfulfilling, stressful and troublesome, as Tiger is presumably now experiencing.

Visit my website (www.asirk.com) and click on “About Coaching” to download your free Values Clarification Worksheet.

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How do you prepare for a Phone Interview?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Companies use phone interviews for a variety of reasons.  It could be to determine whether you have the skill set they’re looking for (your resume may not have been clear enough); it may be to assess your verbal communication skills, particularly if they are needed on the phone; it could be an easier, more effective and cost efficient way for them to start the interview process; and it could be to verify salary information to have a sense of whether you’re in their salary range. So how do you prepare for a phone interview?

Keep in mind this is an interview, the only difference is it’s being conducted on the phone rather than in person.  It’s important for you to be as focused, engaged  and prepared as you would if this were being held in the company’s offices.  The phone interview could last from 10-60 minutes, depending on the purpose, company and interviewer.

A great tip is to keep a copy of the job description, company information which you’ve researched and a copy of the resume you sent for that specific position in a file that’s easily accessible when you get a phone call.  Some companies will call to schedule a time in the future for the phone interview, and some will call hoping you’re available then.  If you’re caught off guard and would like a couple of minutes to gather your file, review the information and breathe to get focused, ask the person if you can call back in five minutes as you’re in the middle of something you need to finish.  Most will call you back or schedule a specific time.  They know they’re taking a chance of finding you available when they call if it’s not been scheduled previously.

A phone interview is really no different than the in-person except it’s over the phone.  You are going to be answering questions about your knowledge, skills and abilities and likely covering information on your resume.  Since you periodically review your resume and know the information on it, you’ll be able to answer questions without difficulty. If you don’t understand the question or are unsure what the person means, ask for clarification as you would if you were face-to-face. You may be asked what you know about the company and if you have any questions, so it may be helpful to keep your list of questions in your folder with the job description, company info and resume copy.

One of the most challenging aspects in the phone interview can be the actual phone connection.  Many people today use cell phones and think it’s fine to conduct business calls wherever they are.  Think twice about conducting a phone interview while you’re driving, getting gas, paying for parking, talking with the landscaper, feeding the bird or walking around your house.  If the connection is bad and you or the interviewer have to repeat a lot, you’re losing valuable time when you could be communicating substantive information and the interviewer  may have limited time.

If interviewing and getting a new position are important to you, think about how professional and prepared you appear in the phone interview.  If you’ve had an issue with plumbing and the plumber is on the way, it may be best to reschedule.  You wouldn’t bring the plumber, your kids or the bird with you to the company’s office for an interview, don’t “bring them with you” on the phone interview.  If you don’t have great cell reception wherever you plan to take the call, then access a landline for the phone interview or schedule for a time when you can use a landline.

Some people conduct their phone interview from their current place of employment.  Not a problem, unless you have to put the interviewer on hold to answer other phone calls or questions from your boss and co-workers.

Plan to be totally available to the interviewer with no distractions or interruptions and a great connection.  Have quick access to the job description, company info and your resume and be ready to talk about your accomplishments and your phone interview should go well.

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Positive Thinking for a Better Life!

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

I hope…  I wish…  If only…  These words often have a tinge of despair attached to them.  They are said very positively while all too often thinking “but it’s not likely to happen anytime soon for me.”  Have you heard the saying “You are what you think.”?  The rest of that Buddha quote is “And with your thoughts you make the world.”  This is pure Law of Attraction.  You get what you focus on.

Recently I was on a shuttle to the airport with two men I didn’t know.  One was very concerned he was going to miss his flight as he was running late.  I told him to be positive, to know he would make the flight.  He agreed and then said “but just in case, I’ll get my confirmation pulled up on my phone to re-book.”  The other man and I laughed and told him he wasn’t being positive.  Being positive means eliminating the doubt; not giving room for the “in case”, “what if” or “probably not” to slip in and settle in your thoughts.  When the doubt creeps in, it defeats the positive outcome you want.  Then when the positive doesn’t materialize, you acknowledge it with the thought “I knew it wouldn’t really happen.”  Be honest, you were thinking that all along.

I challenge you to a week, a day, an hour of positive, supportive thoughts and words.  Silence the negative, silence the doubt.  Be aware how often you allow the words you think and say to sabotage you, rather than support you!

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Surviving a Layoff and Staying Positive

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

People have been laid off all around you and you’re having a tough time staying positive.  Everyone you talk to is worried about their job, or the job of someone they know, and it feels like you’re treading water while waiting for the other shoe to drop.   How do you stay positive?

First, give yourself a break.  It’s OK to be unsettled.  Remember to B R E A T H E.  Then figure out the strategies which will work best for you. 

  • Limit the amount of time in a day or week that you will feel down or worried.  Set a timer or watch the clock and when your time is up, perk up!
  • Find a person or a group with whom you can vent or commiserate.  Again, it’s important to limit the time you spend in this pit; you don’t want to emotionally drain someone else.  Give the other person an opportunity to vent, again with an eye on the clock, so you aren’t emotionally drained. Be sensitive to doing this with work colleagues to prevent managers from viewing you as the ring leader of “Survivors Against Change.”
  • Make yourself your priority.  Now is the time to ensure you take care of you.  Exercise, eat healthier, drink water, get enough sleep, meditate, and spend time with family and friends.  If you have a tendency to withdraw when things get tough, determine if it really benefits you (it rarely does). Make the effort to stay engaged, if only with yourself.  You don’t have to join a health club at this point or go on a new diet.  It’s important to implement healthy steps you can live with which become part of your routine.  Self care pays off physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
  • Look for ways to help others at work.  Brainstorm ways to streamline processes, particularly if you’re now doing more with less.  It’s a great time to find out what everyone does with the report that’s distributed each week… is anyone reviewing it or could it be discontinued?  Be known as the optimistic person in the office.  Avoid standing around in a small group talking quietly; people are nervous enough without wondering what you are talking about.
  • Talk to a counselor, spiritual advisor, or use your company’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  EAPs are confidential and typically no cost for initial visits.  Use your benefits.
  • Join a Book Club.  Take Salsa lessons.  You don’t have to spend a lot of money and you may find groups you can join (or start) for no money.  Does your library offer a book club?  How about the local book store?  Learn to play bridge at lunch with someone who already knows how.  Keep your mind engaged.
  • Volunteer.  Someone can benefit from your time and your talent and it may help you put things in perspective.  Google your town and “volunteer opportunities”  to see what options may be available or check www.volunteermatch.org
  • Laugh.  Research shows that 10-20 minutes of even fake laughter can have a profound effect on life.

Remember, attitudes are contagious.  Make yours positive and worth catching!

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