Bridges

Edition of 10/7/2008

[Bridges]

If you would like to take advantage of a consultant or executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com for a complimentary coaching session or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com
*******************************
CAREER TRENDS
Many of my coaching clients get tired of hearing me say that their next opportunity will come from getting out and networking, and not sitting at their desks applying for jobs on line. Recently there was an article in the New York Times, "Job Hunting Is, and Isn't, What It Used to Be", that said pretty much the same thing. Some of what they wrote wasn't a surprise. For example they mentioned how easy it is for a resume to get buried on one of the large job sites such as Career Builders. They wrote that in the current economy the person applying on line is probably competing with hundreds, possibly thousands of other applicants and the likelihood of that resume cutting through the clutter is pretty slim.

More interestingly, the author wrote about the increased use of networking sites like LinkedIn, Plaxo and Facebook and quoted one recruiter who said she had "stopped using jobsites altogether and relied almost completely on LinkedIn." In the newest twist on the benefits of networking, when this recruiter has a position to fill, she emails people on her LinkedIn list and asks those contacts if they know anyone who could fill the job she has available. One side note of caution, the article also mentioned that these same recruiters are using the networking sites to screen out candidates, so be careful what you post on your profile. The article concluded by saying that you shouldn't ignore the online job sites but suggested that you use them sparingly and focus job hunting efforts on getting out and meeting people. It's still the face to face contact that gets the job.

***********************************
GOOD READ
I think that "What Got You Here Won't Get You There", by Marshall Goldsmith may be one of the best business books in recent years. The book is filled with practical information from a man described as corporate America's premier executive coach. My favorite is the section on the twenty habits that hold you back from the top, habits like adding too much value, passing judgment, speaking when angry, making excuses, not listening, passing the buck. I especially like habit number 5. "Starting with No, But, or However: The overuse of these negative qualifiers which secretly say to everyone, "I'm right. You're wrong."

*************************************

For those who ask me what it is that I do, I offer Executive Coaching and Human Resource consulting in the following areas:

- Business Consulting and Executive Coaching - As an unbiased resource provide advice on staffing issues, developing emerging talent and helping managers sharpen their communication and management skills;

- Career Coaching helping people advance their careers, make career changes and/or career transitions.

- Not for Profit Consulting - provide Executive Directors with independent sounding board, consulting on staff issues, board relations and staff development.
****************************
Final Thought
People who believe they can succeed see opportunities where others see threats. - Marshall Goldsmith

Enter your content for this edition here.