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IS COACHING RIGHT FOR YOU?
Clients often tell me about a wonderful conference or training class they have attended but then express frustration that once back in the workplace they weren’t able to implement what they learned. If you or a key staff member need help developing organizational, communication or interpersonal skills this is where a coach can help. We begin with an assessment and then set the goals to be achieved over the next 3-4 months. Coaching is about changing and implementing those new behaviors and skills. For more information about coaching call 609-730-4164 or email robin@coachrobinfogel.com
Bridges is a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach & Human Resource Consultant. My goal is that these newsletters include practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you found the newsletter helpful, please Send it to your colleagues, friends and family.
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FEBRUARY 2010
CAREER CORNER
I have been preparing for a
seminar on interviewing techniques that I’ll be doing for MBA students at Rider University and have been focused on questions that
might be asked at an interview. The one question that people seem to dread the
most is almost always asked in some form. It is – “tell me about yourself”. I usually
suggest that instead of being anxious think of this question as a great
opportunity to describe your professional achievements, skills, and whatever else you bring to the table - examples of what makes you a great candidate for the
position. Beyond this, some other questions that might be asked at an interview
are – What are your short and long term career goals? What are your strengths
and weaknesses? Why do you want to work for our company? What are the best and
worst aspects of your last job? Why did you leave your last job? What salary do
you have in mind?
Here are a couple of tips:
It is important that you do
your research and know as much as you can about the company. This is much
easier to do in the Internet era and in today’s world it is totally expected
that you will come in prepared. It can also help you give specific examples about yourself that relate to the company.
The Internet is also a good
place to do some research about the salary levels that this type of position
may command.
Spend some time and think
through your answers to questions that are typically asked in an interview. The
nervousness that people feel often comes from being unprepared.
If you have a real weakness,
say with time management for example, tell the truth but also tell what you are
doing to improve that weakness.
Finally, always start with a
positive when you are explaining why you would be good for a position.
MEETING MADNESS
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When I talk to clients about how they use their time, the complaint I hear the most is how much time they spend in meetings, and how little they think many of them accomplish. My suggestion is this – don’t attend a meeting until you know the following: What is the purpose - why is the meeting being held? Is there an agenda? How long will the meeting last - does the meeting have a time when it starts and ends? Meetings may be important but in some organizations they merely suck time. Think strategically about why you are attending the meeting. If the purpose of the meeting is to exchange information, can that be accomplished by an email instead of an in-person meeting? Check the list of attendees - is it really necessary that everyone attend? Distribute the agenda in advance and once there stick to it. And, if only one of the agenda items is connected to your responsibility, do you really need to be there for the whole meeting?
GOALS
In January I suggested that instead of resolutions you think concretely about the goals you’d like to accomplish in 2010. One month into the year what successes have you had in accomplishing your goals for the month of January? What roadblocks do you need to be aware of before they impede your progress? What is your focus for February? When you set goals, be sure they are specific and measurable – quantify what you want to accomplish. One of my professional goals is to increase my client base by 5 new clients by June 30th. To accomplish that goal I need to contact 25 people in my network and ask for a referral to a new client over the next 60 days. By the way I always appreciate referrals. This is one way I grow my business.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Have you ever noticed that this shortest month of the year can seem like the longest, or is that only for folks like me who wonder if we have SAD- Seasonal Affected Disorder? I’ve read that a midday walk in sunlight can dramatically improve that condition, probably not that easy after our record snowfall in the Northeast this past weekend. If nothing else spring will be here soon. Two different approaches to winter - Sinclair Lewis who said, “Winter is not a season, it’s an occupation”. I prefer this quote from Verna M Kelly who said “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they do when they stick together”.
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