Wondering why recruiters call you back after you have submitted your resume? Feel you’re perfect for the job they posted, you know you can do it, but you are baffled by the fact they have not returned your call? Well, I have some answers for you as to why and outline a few things you can do about it. Read on if you are open to honest, tough talk, you are serious about optimizing your job search time and you are prepared to do something about it. Here goes: 

Why Recruiters Don’t Call You Back

1. Just because YOU think you can do the job, does not mean they think you are QUALIFIED for the job.

Search firms are paid a significant fee to evaluate candidates that the client company cannot find on their own. They are charged with having to determine if that candidate will exceed expectations for that client in the given job. The client company gave the search firm a series of parameters to meet that they feel justify paying a fee to the search firm if the candidate embodies those requirements. Frankly, it just does not matter that you think you can do the job. The search firm has to ensure you have the proper years of experience, company caliber exposure, demonstrated a track record of results, culture fit potential, professional training and educational credentials requested before sending you to their client. And if you are missing one piece of it, typically you will not be considered by the search firm and never submitted for the job. As long as you have neither been contacted by the search firm nor submitted to the company by them, apply through a different venue (following a job search plan, networking, submitting directly, company website, etc) that does not add a fee to your head if hired.

2. Search firms are not paid by you, and therefore, do not work for you.

Reputable search firms are paid by their client company ONLY. The company is their client–not you. Credible search firms do not accept fees from candidates for representation to companies. As stated in reason #1, you will receive a call from the recruiter only if your background is dead on for their client. Search firms typically only get paid to make the placement. So if your background will help them get that placement fee since you meet the client requirements, I assure you they will call you. Remember, they work for their client. They do not exist to find you a job.

3.You paid a firm to send your resume to 1,000 recruiters…and it shows.

If you are doing a mass direct email, you cannot expect personalized response results. A very successful direct email campaign has a response rate of 1-2%. If you have a properly targeted, well written direct campaign to 1,000 contacts, you will get 10-20 quality calls. If you have a well-written campaign sent to a random sampling of recruiters, you may get 5-15 calls from recruiters who may not place what you do. And if it is a non-targeted, poorly written campaign, no one will call—or you will receive calls to sell you job search services since you clearly need some help.

4. Search firms don’t place what you do.

You are a Medical Director of a Big Pharma Firm and the recruiter places digital media experts within high tech firms. You live in Wyoming and the recruiter works with companies in New York and New Jersey—no matter how great you are, you are not getting the call. Know your audience before you send your resume.

5. The search firm has no idea what you do.

Your resume is filled with so much corporate-speak and fluff on the first page that they have no idea what you do. Saying ‘Leader in the industry” does not help anyone understand what you do. What kind of leader? What level of leader? What industry? If the recruiter has to work at figuring out what you do, you are not getting the call.

6. They do not have the right job for you.

The search firm actually thinks your background is amazing. They know what you do and are impressed where you do it and how you have done it. But they simply do not have the right job for you. Given that recruiters need to focus on finding candidates that can fill their jobs to make a living, they will not have time to call you, most likely. It’s not personal.

7. Your background is not worth a company paying a 25% fee.

I know this is harsh—but it is true. Accepting this fact about your background does not mean you are doomed to be jobless. It means you will probably not find one through a search firm. This really is not that bad of a lot in life. Search firms account for a small percentage of hires in the US. Most hires are made through networking. If you are unemployed or you have too many jobs in a short period of time, you may fall into this category. If you do not have a series of promotions or you have an eclectic group of varied experiences, you are in this boat, too. Yes, they know it was out of your control…BUT this is a simple economics issue. The supply of these types of candidates is too great right now where companies will not pay a fee for this type of candidate. But they will hire you through other venues without the price tag attached—so go to those venues.

8. The search firm is overwhelmed and, unfortunately, cannot get back to every applicant with the “Thanks, but no thanks” email. 

Please do not take it personally when recruiters do not call back to tell you that you are not right for the job. Yes, it is good manners. Yes, they should call/email. But do not cause yourself added stress by thinking it is personal —it is simply a logistics issue regarding limited resources. With the volume of resumes third party and corporate recruiters receive in today’s market, it is physically impossible to get back to everyone, even if they hired a team to do it—which they won’t. To help ease the rejection you experience, set up metrics of outbound activity you commit to performing each week, knowing a certain percentage will reap results. It is a numbers game. It is not a personal attack. It is a reality that a good amount may not get back to you ever.

9. Your resume is posted on all the job boards…for a while.

Companies pay recruiters to find candidates they cannot find themselves. If your resume is posted on all of the job boards for any length of time, you are not exclusive. You are readily available and easily found. When I recruited, I have had past company clients tell me I could not submit candidates that were found on the job boards–even if I sourced that candidate myself or the candidate was referred to me! As frustrating as it was, I understood. Why would they pay me $25,000 for someone they can find readily available on their own? Does this mean you should not be on the boards? Not necessarily. It depends on your story. If you are not working or know that you will be laid off soon and you cannot be without a job, do what you have to do to get that next job. If after reading the article, you know that you will not be well served by recruiters, then you must use other means to advance your career. But consider being selective and not post yourself everywhere. Or consider submitting to job postings only. The best option is to commit to networking within the target company list you create an approach contacts directly.

10. You are looking to switch careers or start your career.

You are a successful pharmaceutical sales manager, who just recently graduated with a bachelors in accounting. Now you are looking to get an entry-level position in accounting. The best option for you to take is to contact companies directly for a position in your new career path. A recruiter cannot help new college graduates typically or individuals who want to change careers. Why? Remember, recruiters, get paid by clients to find candidates who have had prior success in the job at hand. A company is not going to pay a recruiter to hire someone starts a new line of work with no proven track record in the position.

11. Don’t test the waters on the recruiter’s time.

On paper, you may appear too comfortable in your job. Recruiters want to work with candidates who want to make a move. If it seems you may be shopping or comfortable, but not serious about a new position, your resume will be passed over. Reformat your resume to show career progression, achievements, and promotions. If you present yourself as someone out looking for the next ripe opportunity and who brings results, you increase your chances of getting the call.

You find that you identify with a few of the reasons and fall in a few categories above. Does this mean you are not destined to find a job? Absolutely not!! This is a lesson in marketing and economics. You need to present your background in venues where you will be reviewed and perceived as a valuable candidate that should be hired.

5 Ways to Get Recruiters to call you back

1. Set yourself up to succeed. Do not set yourself up to be rejected. 

If in reading the above content you know you have background recruiters won’t work with, then stop approaching recruiters. Find other channels to market and present yourself.

2. Commit to doing the work YOURSELF needed to execute an effective job search plan.

There are no short cuts. Do not pay someone to do the dirty work. If you need help, pay someone to show YOU how to do it correctly. But the key is to do it yourself.

3. Be Creative In Your Job Search.

Use venues that you increase your chances of being reviewed and called for a particular job. If you have a background that is not going to be attractive to search firms, then choose other venues: Target Company List Job Search Plan, Industry-focused job boards. Effective Networking, LinkedIn Utilization, Company Websites, Career Fairs, Volunteering, etc…

4. Quality over Quantity.

Better to create a target list of companies and research 30 leads to mindfully contact directly than to send a mass, impersonalized, poorly targeted email to 3,000 people. Garbage in equals garbage out.

5. Commit to having the best branding presentation ever. 

You would not go to an interview in a yellow suit without having taken a shower, would you? I cannot tell you how many resumes and cover letters I have received as a recruiter that were poorly written, formatted in an amateur manner or simply did not do the candidate any justice. Make sure your communication documents (resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letter, networking communications, etc) are in their best suit and shower. Doing this will not ensure you get the call, but I can assure you not doing this properly will prevent you from getting the call if you were.

Written by Lisa Rangel, Executive Resume Writer

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You can triumph and advance your career in this fiscal cliff economy! Whatever happens in Washington over the next few months, the fact remains that the uncertainty posed by the fiscal cliff have many people worried about how it will affect their job and their career. The rumblings about how the fiscal cliff outcome can affect people at work is loud. Despite this growing concern, I believe you can win in this economic turmoil. How, you ask?

As a general rule, focus on what you can control and ignore what you can’t control to stay sane and win during this tumultuous economic time. Companies want to hire and keep productive, resilient and happy employees…so here are some things you can do to demonstrate this characteristic in you:

15 Ways to Protect and improve your career reputation

1. Remain calm, stay focused and simply do your job.

If your employer sees you as someone who is resilient and productive amongst the economic noise, they will note that you might be worth keeping around if cuts are to be made.

2. Be the voice of reason

Stop talking about what can go wrong and focus on what can be done right. Again, employers want to keep the employees that are positively contributing to the environment and not the Chicken Littles who are running around that the sky is falling.

3. Stay social

Ask a work colleague out for lunch and call a long distance professional buddy to chat. And, for God’s sake, don’t talk about the fiscal cliff or any other negative economic fodder. Chat about productive topics.

4. Join a professional networking group 

Stay abreast of what is going on in your discipline and your industry. Make new friends.

5. Take Credit when credit is due

When doing your performance appraisal spell out how you contributed to revenue initiatives, saved money and streamlined processes. Tell your boss how fabulous you are in concrete, measurable terms.

6) Be grateful and happy

Seriously...

If you come across happy and grateful, your employer does not have to worry about making you happy. One less thing to worry about on their growing to-do list can help you stay employed. I find that demanding, disgruntled, never-satisfied employees who contribute to the problem rather than the solution do not tend to stick around long.

7) Update Your Resume

Update your resume and optimize LinkedIn profile to reflect these winds outlined in your performance appraisal. Have these documents ready to roll if needed.

8) Connect on Linkedin

Audit your LinkedIn connections and see that you are connected with vendors, clients, external and internal partners. Maximize your reach.

9) Get Linkedin Recommendations

Get LinkedIn recommendations and endorsements…can’t hurt, right?

10) Be active online

Post interesting articles, endorse other people, and participate in groups to stay visible in online mediums.

11) Continued Education

Research professional development initiatives you can do…certifications, professional credits, and ongoing learning initiatives improve your credentials and create natural networking opportunities, whether they are in person or online.

12) Attend Conferences

Book yourself to attend a conference…when was the last time you went to one in your industry? Promote yourself as a leader in your field and for your company.

13) Avoid Distractions

Time to turn off the news…don’t listen to it. Unless you are contributing to the senate meetings or advising the President on how to proceed, you really don’t need to listen to the play-by-play.

14) Ask for help

Sign up for interview coaching class or work with a private coach to hone your message and improve your confidence. This type of preparation can help you with a promotion at work, communicating during your performance appraisal and interview for a new job, if needed.

15) Help Others

Be a resource to your network. Connect people who can benefit from knowing each other. This will be remembered when you ask for help.

The bottom line is keep your eye on the prize—retaining and excelling in your job—by just over-delivering on what you are supposed to do. Even you lose your job due to economic circumstances beyond your control, the good karma that will come from doing most of what is suggested above will increase your opportunities to be hired quickly. Again, companies want to hire and keep productive, resilient and happy employees. Companies realize they cannot make you that way, you have to come to them that way, despite the fiscal cliff looming or the financial opportunities arising.

Written by Lisa Rangel, Executive Resume Writer

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Designing a high-impact executive resume as a CIO, or if you are evolving to become an information technology (IT) executive, is one of the most effective means of communicating your skills, promoting your achievements and demonstrating how you are the best candidate for a coveted CIO role. The key difference in creating an effective CIO executive resume versus a professional-level IT resume is to integrate human capital management skills and fiscal acumen abilities alongside technical hardware, software and cloud solutions throughout the resume. The bottom line is, as an IT executive, you need to demonstrate how you can utilize human and technological resources to improve corporate profitability. Period.

Here are 7 ways you can design an effective CIO executive resume

1. Practice what you preach. 

IT recruiters tell me that nothing irks them more than an IT executive that does not include a website or social media links on their resume. I am told that a CIO or upcoming IT Executive that has very little to no presence on the internet, or worse, a poor presence on the web, demonstrates that either they are not a lover of technology or that they are a poor promoter of themselves.

2. Gravitate from tactical implementation and graduate to a strategic perspective. 

When compiling your CIO resume, be sure that you showcase your corporate contributions to the top line, expense line items, workflow productivity, and the bottom line. Graduate from citing specific tactical skills and responsibilities, that can be common in a staff-level or middle management information technology resume, to outlining initiatives where you have added value and projects that you have led to achieving results. The key with a CIO resume, as with all c-level resumes is to include the long-range effects of your work in addition to the short-term results. You want to show how you can strategize on the big picture and cause movement with what is directly in front of you.

3. Showcase soft skills alongside strong financial achievements. 

Don’t have readers get lost in your resume with a  list of systems, software, hardware and applications in which you have expertise. Your  CIO executive resume will be read by technical and non-technical types and you must cater to both audiences. We know you have impressive credentials and achievements, but don’t let the metrics overshadow your human capital accomplishments. Outline how you incorporated technology and human capital to drive workflow productivity, revenues, and profits for the business.

4. Demonstrate that you can attract high-quality talent and lead teams to achieve results.

Effective IT Executives not only manage technology, but they successfully manage people to manage technology to bring results. Successful CIOs set up deals, influence key decision-makers, nurture vendor relationships, possess sharp negotiation skills and attract key talent. Do not lose sight of the importance of your people skills contributing to your past and future success.

5. Use appropriate context when communicating with prospective employers. Talking about your biggest achievement is not always best. 

Reframing it, however, to showcase your accomplishments in a way that is digestible for the prospective employer is always preferred. If you saved $7 Million dollars on one initiative within a $125 Million dollar employer, but now you are applying to an $18 Million firm, you may be perceived as being overqualified for this next position. Either choose achievements that are within the fiscal scope of the prospective company, or consider using percentages to outline your accomplishments. Another tactic to use is to focus on downplaying or highlighting the size of regional budgets, global budgets, business lines, or other business entity sizes to match the prospects.

6. Showcase results and downplay technical jargon. 

Outline your technical and human capital achievements in a universal language and not just financial jargon. Appeal to the many types of audiences by whom your resume will be read. You may be most comfortable speaking in acronyms or technical vernacular, but not all CEOs and executive hiring teams are aware of techspeak. I suggest that you speak about technology in approachable terms to be understood by many types of executive management. This will demonstrate your ability to work with non-technical types in a subliminal manner.

7. Be what they want but never lose yourself in your resume. 

The content in your resume, social media profiles, and communications should be congruent with your personality, beliefs and work style, while still meeting the needs of the prospective employer. Ensure your resume will be in line with the person who shows up on the interview. Always be who you are on paper, online and in person.

The resume of a successful Chief Information Officer must not only demonstrate that you know the why and how behind the technology, but it also must tell a story on how you have communicated effectively with managers, lenders, shareholders, vendors, and other key partners.  Frankly, the best CIOs will show how they identify and implement current technology that breeds financial benefits that improve the company’s position within its marketplace. strategically, design and implement business plans and inspire leadership within the financial departments and with the executive management team to solidify its company’s future.

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Asking for a salary increase properly is an art and a science. There are many tactics to do to receive the above-average pay raise that you want. However,  during my time as a recruiter and a manager, I have seen many things that an employee should absolutely not do when asking for a pay raise. 

Here are 6 Things not to do when asking for a pay raise

Cite that you work hard with no achievements list

Don’t expect your boss or executive management to keep tabs on what you have done for them. Working hard allows you to keep your job and come back the next day—not get a raise. The results and achievements you accomplish could put you in a position to get a raise. Brag about what you do and let them see your value.

Expect a raise because you deserve it

Don’t demonstrate your entitlement due to tenure versus achievement. No one will give you a raise, just because you think you deserve one since you have been there a long time. It is like the song says, “What have you done for me lately?”

Be unprepared with no data

Before you ask for a raise, show that you have researched salary sites and have done some investigation to see if you are paid below, at or above market value for your expertise and skills. If you expect your employer to do the research to give you what you deserve, you might as well stay home and not ask.

Create a case for fairness  

Don’t demand a raise since you heard others received one or is making more than you. In fact, that is often what can put you on the “Don’t give him a raise” list. I tell my kids, life isn’t fair…what side do you want to be on? And then do all of the right things to be on that side to get the raise you want.

Ask with your tail between your legs. 

Nothing is more unattractive than a lack of confidence. Employers want to know they are giving their money to the ‘A’ players within the organization. If you start off your request with, “I was hoping to chat with you about something when you are not too busy…,” I say pack up and go home. Make an appointment with your manager outlining what you would like to discuss and be confident and prepared. This is a business discussion like all others…so treat it as such.

Outline how you need the raise

To me, this is the kiss of death! 

No one cares that your daughter needs braces, or your son is going to college or that your spouse lost his/her job. Everyone is experiencing a higher cost of living—including your employer. Your employer is not entitled to give you the funds you need for your budget shortfalls. However, if you prove your worth and continually achieve, you may receive a raise that recognizes your merits that your employer would be happy to give to you.

Threaten to quit

Even if you are ready to leave that minute, this is never an effective tactic. 

Whatever time you buy or raise you receive will be temporary while your employer looks for your replacement. No one wants to be held hostage.

Written by Lisa Rangel - Chameleon Resumes

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The job search game has changed, yet again!  Just as you learned job search tactics for your resume to be digested on social media, your resume has to now contend with being read on iPads, iPhones, Android phones, Blackberries and every other type of old and new tech device in between.

One Sunday night, I had a friend of mine send me their resume in the spirit of networking asking if I could facilitate any introductions. As I opened the document on my iPhone, I noticed that the contact information on the resume was missing. The employer’s information was absent, as well. Just blank spaces on the resume where this information should have been placed. Yet when I opened the document on my PC, the contact and employer name information was where it was supposed to be—it was just placed in a table. I learned (and my friend learned the hard way) that information placed in tables are not read by iPhones.  

While I have been reading resumes on smartphones of some type since 2006 or 2007, it is now apparent the job search and the recruitment model is going mobile like many other industries. How can job seekers be ready for these technological adjustments and what should they expect?

Here is how to get your resume ready for mobile recruiting

Make your communications ridiculously concise

Cover letters should be as short as a screenshot. For certain social media channels, you have to convey your intent in 140 characters or less to get the pingback from the job poster to contact them offline.

Test your resume and cover letters on various mediums and devices to ensure they open and appear properly

I have been opening resumes on PDAs, and now smartphones, since 2006 (maybe 2005).  Some recruiters have been doing it much longer than me. Resumes in dated Word versions have a lesser chance of opening on a newer phone. Are your Mac docs compatible with PC, Droid, and other non-Mac gadgets? Can your PC-based docs open on iPhones and iPads?  Perform some quality controls with your documents and see what can open where.

Use your mobile phone number on your resume—remove landlines from your applications

This will enable you to receive recruiting SMS text messages from employers who use this technology. ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) such as Bullhorn and Bond Adapt house this information in applicant data files and can send out mass job alerts via SMS text, as well as email, automated phone messages, etc.  Landlines cannot receive texts—and who knows if your kids or parents will answer the phone!! Yikes!

Get your QR Code

The jury is out on how these codes will be used en mass by corporate and search firm recruiting departments to benefit from their features in an economy of scale capacity. But until that is figured out, get your code and look like you are cool, hip and happening (without using those words, of course). QR Codes are being used at job fairs for all types of candidates, especially technology and digital jobs, and at various types of industry conventions at vendor booths and promotional venues. Currently, they are in use and can help vying recruiters find you as an early adopter of this technology. 

Engage recruiters online on Twitter, LinkedIn and other appropriate social media venues (blogs, industry groups, networking groups) for your career. 

If a company is seeking a social media savvy marketing executive, they will not post an ad in the NY Times. They will find relevant sources and viable candidates where they expect this next hire to already reside. Be the job you want—and they will find you.

Get your resume posted on online and social media forms 

A paper resume is often the last version of your resume a recruiter will see. Your personal website, LinkedIn profile, Twitter bio, Branchout/Facebook Timeline, About.me or VisualCV may be the first thing they see in searching online for people like you with your credentials. Those virtual documents need to be equally as engaging as your print resume, as they are often the first impression seen by others.

Embrace the use of job search apps on your phone

These are very much in development for many companies and organizations. The major job boards and social media channels all have a mobile version (Monster, LinkedIn, Facebook, Indeed.com, TwitterJobSearch, etc…). These can help you keep track of responses on your submissions and comments and stay up to speed on new job openings posted by the recruiters you follow.

Mobile recruiting is still in its infancy for many industries and companies. But if you are in a progressive industry or profession, it is paramount that you embody these new trends into your daily job search activities.

By Lisa Rangel, Chameleon Resumes

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When applying for a job with a new prospective employer, it’s usually a good idea to send a follow-up or thank-you email, assuming you really want the job. There are a number of reasons for this: for one, it shows that you really enjoyed meeting with the people at the new company and that you really want the job itself. Second, and perhaps the most important, it puts you back into the minds of these prospective employers, as they are undoubtedly sifting through a number of other resumes and interviewing other job applicants. The more you can stay on all their minds, the better chance you have at getting the job above another applicant who is just as qualified and charming as you. The follow up / thank you email is an ideal way to do this without going overboard by sending, say, a thank-you gift basket.

However, the follow-up/thank you email also needs to be properly written, which is probably another reason people avoid taking this extra step when applying for a gig. As with anything written, there is a proper structure for these follow-up / thank you notes to prospective employers which should be followed if you want the best chance at getting the job. This structure is broken down below, based upon the example letter included here.

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How to Properly Write a Thank You Letter / Follow-Up Email

1. Address the Meeting Briefly

Off the bat in this follow-up/ thank you email, you will want to recall the interview, what you enjoyed about it and what your impressions of it were. This example letter instills confidence in the person writing it from the outset by reminding the reader of their talents, yet also thanking the reader, or more specifically the prospective employer, for being straightforward and clear about the job that needs to be done. By doing all of these things, the employer is reminded of how well the interview went.

2. Compare and Contrast

People who are interviewing for new jobs at big companies are usually working somewhere else that is similar or have worked in that field for a similar company. As is the case in this example letter, the candidate delves deeper into the discussion about the state of the IT industry they are working in, recalling a conversation that was clearly had during the job interview. Yet the candidate moves on to compare the company he has worked for in the past doing a similar job but how he could do much more for the company who he is applying to, demonstrating value as an employee, if they are hired. In fact, the candidate even goes as far as to say “we” in the letter, making the assumption that they are already a team. By doing this, the prospective employer is already envisioning the candidate as being part of their team, albeit for the purposes of the letter. However, the candidate takes this strategy to the next level by outlining how they will help the company if they are hired, without coming right out and saying that.

3. Outlining Strategy

The prior paragraph goes directly into a list of ways they will help the company to succeed. This is risky, as they may say something that the candidate may think won’t work, but it also displays honesty and transparency they will have when working for the company, which an employer greatly values. However, as long as the project strategy, as bullet-pointed here, is well-defined, it doesn’t necessarily matter to the prospective employer if it will actually be implemented—they just like to see that the candidate will have thought everything through if they are a part of the team. This is important for a worker in general in the IT industry, as business climates are constantly changing and the employee, company, and methods for attaining goals will have to adjust.

4. Closing with Anticipation

After outlining what they would do if part of the company team, the closing is a paragraph about anticipation for the future. There is a brief recap of their skills and the fact that there is much more to the industry that they would be happy to talk about. The second to last lines is also one of the most important, as they finally come out and say how interested they are in working for the company, basically “asking for the sale.” This is much like presenting the ring after a long time living together—you want to work for this company and you look forward to the next steps.

While this candidate is not guaranteed the job by writing this follow up / thank-you letter, they have definitely helped their chances and left a good impression on this prospective employer. And this is really all they can hope to do.

 

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I got a couple of emails last week and posts on my Facebook page in response to my blog post last week on avoiding burnout.  Interestingly enough, the item they focused in on was meditation.  Continuing a conversation I was having with my friend Scott, we talked about burnout in relationship to having the right job. 

Wait, what is Right Livelyhood and is this something you should care about?  And how does this relate to working for J. Patrick + Associates?

Interestingly enough, it counts a lot.  My job is to promote jobs and connect people to their next career move.  I mean, my job is to get people jobs, can't get more right than that, or can it?  The other thing I love about my job working with Dan Sullivan and the gang is that I love my co-workers.  The environment at J. Patrick + Associates is a very positive one.  We are friendly, respectful and communicate with one and other with the same care we offer to our clients and candidates.  It says a lot to love going into work, and I gotta say, I really love my job. 

But she didn't answer the question, what is Right Livelyhood?  Well, let me offer you the Cliff's Notes version of Buddhism 101.  Over 2500 years ago, the Buddha walked the earth, saw all the suffering in the world and came up with the First Noble Truth;

In life there is suffering.

In other words, Life Sucks!  Bummer.  So he walked around, starved himself, tortured himself, sat still and meditated under trees until one day, he had an epiphany.... there is a way out of this suffering and that way includes walking the Eightfold Path.  There are steps one must take to find happiness and one of them is this idea of Right Livelyhood.  Ok, they didn't have high technology jobs back in those days, so how does this pertain to you and me?

The Buddha's definition of Right Livelihood basically says to not engage in employment that causes harm.  Not so easy in this day and age.  Just working in a big office means we're causing harm to the environment by shredding up tons of paper, making waste, powering up loads of computers and big lighting fixtures, dumping chemicals into the environment and working with people who aren't always honest and respectful of one and other. 

And let's face it, many of us in technology are creating products for a host of uses and not all of them fit into the Buddha's interpretation of right livelihood.  But hey, not all of us are Buddhists either.  Right?

But coming from a spiritual perspective, I believe you personally deserve to work in a job that is healthy for your well-being.  Not only should your career bring you some kind of financial security, but it should also generate a sense of purpose and be an environment that is positive.  In the Technology sector, most of us work extra long hours, get heavily involved in the corporate culture and have a higher level of intelligence to contend with. 

Here's a few things you should look to bring your job closer to the Buddha's goal of Right Livelyhood;

1) Practice Loving Kindness.  The Buddha teaches that we should love all sentient beings the same way we would love our own child.  For me, this is a task too great to master.  Instead, I say, "Make everyone your friend."  Yes, that annoying woman in accounting, that boss who talks to you like your five and your ex you got the job for in the publicity department.  ALL OF THEM!  Make them your friend.  By putting out the Loving Kindness towards others, you'll be setting an example and attracting kindness for youreself.  Sure, we all get frustrated, and maybe you're one to bark. 

2) Create a comfortable workspace.  Some of us have our own offices, and for us who are that lucky, good for us.  It's easy to personalize your space.  For others we may have cubicals, or work stations.  Whatever your environment, do what you can to make it your own by incorprating objects and images that remind you to keep your mind calm.  I have a little blue medicine Buddha in the dashboard of my car for such a purpose.  I spend a lot of time traveling, so keeping the peace in my car and on the road is essential.  On your desk, pick something, can be a buddha, a stone, a snow globe from Coney Island, whatever it is that reminds you to take a breath and relax. 

3) Make boundaries and keep them.  Most of us want to please others, we say yes to tasks we don't have time for or even worse, bring work home.  Make some healthy boundaries for yourself.  Decide when you are working and when you're not.  Say no when you don't have time to work on something.  Don't take that task home, save it for the morning and allow yourself that break from work.  Be clear on what you can do and what extra work is going to cause you stress. Of course, we work in Technology, which is pretty busy and we want to impress our bosses and our team.  There's nothing impressive about a burnt out team player.  Detach, and put time aside that isn't work time. 

Our career and co-workers may be a big part of our lives, so whe you create balance and find the space to be at peace, you'll turn your work situation into a right one. 

Feeling a little uncomfortable in interviews?  Don't feel like you're getting the respect you deserve?  Might be time for a little training in interview etiquette.  Don't worry, it isn't hopeless, here are a few ideas to get you back on your toes and earn the attention of your interviewer positively.  Tell employers to pick you, after fine tuning your interview skills.

1. Time to have dinner with fussy Auntie Judy.  Let her make comments on your table manners.  These days, table etiquette seems to take a back seat. You want a stickler for rules to spot the bad manners that could trip you up in an interview. You might have developed some bad habbits, sitting with your feet tucked under the chair, elbows on the table or slumped over.  Aunt Edna would never stand for this would she?  Earn the respect of interviewer and improve your image by sitting up straight with your hands nicely folded in your lap.


2. Tape a formal practice conversation.  A lot of us have developed the habit  of saying "like" too much. "I, like, can't believe, like, the job market is so, like, bad" or my personal pet peeve, "yah know what I'm saying?" Studies prove that interviewers were more likely to perceive a job candidate as less professional if the person said "like" too much, as compared to "uh." This is a habit that needs to be broken. Like, NOW.  Ya know what I'm sayin'?


3. Practice wearing your nice clothes.  Many of us work in more casual environments, where nice clothes are optional.  If you've been out of work, then you probably haven't put on a nice pair of slacks in a while.  I don't know about you, but after a long period of time, that pencil skirt and black pumps kind of make me feel uncomfortable if I haven't worn them in a while.  Time to go out to a nice restaurant, the opera or anywhere else where people dress up. Guys should know how to handle a tie when they eat (no, you don't flip it over your shoulder), and girls should know how to sit properly and not flash half the town when they get out of a car. No one wants an interviewer distracted because you can't walk in those shoes and find that suit jacket too tight.  Take your suit out and break it in before your next interview.  It's nice being comfortable in your own second skin.

In conclusion, sit up straight, speak clearly and dress to impress.  Remember you want your employer to be to meet a comfortable, confident, professional You so they pick YOU for the job.


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