General McChrystal gets Fired! Career Lesson Learned

If you have been a regular reader of my career blogs for the last four years, you probably know that I write about public career blunders in the headlines.


Whether it was Blago whose recorded conversations ousted him from the Governor's mansion; Elliot Spitzer, caught perpetrating a crime he would probably have prosecuted someone else for, or the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Kilpatrick, recently sentenced to five years with 10 felony counts. This phenomenon is not just limited to politics either. Consider Michael Vick, sent away at the height of his career for animal cruelty or Plaxico Burress who accidentally shot himself in the career when he got two years for accidentally shooting himself in the foot.

The latest, most publicized career blunder comes to us courtesy of General Stanley McChrystal, whose letter of resignation was recently accepted by President Obama, for a story featuring comments from him and his aides published in Rolling Stone Magazine.

This story, as with the others, can make one wonder what drives these very public, high powered, professionals to exercise this kind of poor judgment leading to career meltdown.

What is sad to me, is that no matter how committed General McChrystal has been to tasks, how stellar his professional reputation, or how solid McChrystal's resume, people will remember him for this very public lapse in judgment. A lapse in judgment, so egregious, there seemed to be no option but to relieve him of his assignment.

Whether they believe he should have been fired or not, no one with whom I have spoken about it, hasn't expressed empathy for McChrystal's situation.

Why?

Who among us has not wanted to express our less than positive opinion about a workplace issue, a boss or a co-worker?

Who among us hasn't wanted to unload about work, bosses or colleagues on anyone who would listen?

Who among us hasn't had that day when we wished we could just say exactly what we thought about company, boss or manager...and just let the chips fall where they may?

I know I have.

What stops us? For the last several days I have been thinking about that. Here is what I came up with.

Is it possible that the higher you go in your career and the more power you assume, the greater the conflict between power and basic common sense.

What stops many of us from venting or spewing, is the fact that we may, in fact, want to move up the proverbial ladder within a company. When it comes right down to it...our basic common sense guides us to know that speaking or behaving negatively when representing the organization, is not the way forward. What if you have made it through the ranks, and have all the power you think you need...does the ability to think rationally about the basics go out the window?

In General McChrystal's case, it seems --not only could he not stop himself from making statements that challenge the very foundation of civilian control of the military...the people who surrounded him, were so drunk with their own proximity to him, they could neither stop themselves, nor, stop McChrystal.

The lessons here are many, but I see two important takeaways:

1. Make sure that as you climb the ladder of career success, you stay connected with others -- mentors, sponsors, friends or family -- who aren't afraid to tell you when you are going overboard.

2. Be careful who ends up in your inner circle in the workplace. Look for people who can exercise good judgment even if, or especially when, you have a temporary lapse.

3 Tips to Keep Job Search Emails Professional

Data shows that 183 billion email messages are sent every day.  That's about 2 million per second. Since about 70% of the emails might be spam and viruses, Recruiters, like most email users, are very quick to decide what's relevant and what should go.   

These 3 tips will help job seekers keep job search emails professional in a tight job market.  

1. Grammar and punctuation still matters.  Too many people spend a lot of time getting a great resume and cover letter together, only to send them to an employer attached to an email that is poorly written.   Everyone makes errors, but proofreading your email before sending will increase the chances of your resume actually being seen. 
2. Make sure the email subject line includes your name and the document attached. Eg Joe Jobseeker – List of References.  Since 70% of emails are spam or viruses, many suspect emails with attachments do not get opened.  Increase your chances by having a clear subject line.  The email marketing industry actually suggests a strong subject line of about 5-7 words.

3. Think seriously about not adding a quote to your professional email address for the job search. If you chose to add one, think about whose quote you use and what the recruiter might think about you when they read it.  The quote WILL inadvertently say something about you.  There will be time for them to get to know you after you are hired.

How to Use a Resume to Augment your Online Job Application!

I hosted a job search workshop at my local library last month and was still a little surprised to see that more than half of the participants did not have resumes.

Many of the job seekers present felt that at a time when they are being directed to hiring kiosks and online applications, there wouldn't be any need for a resume. One job seeker was particularly frustrated as she talked about trips to two major retailers and a local supermarket where she was directed to an in-house computer screen and given very little instructions except to -- "Read the screen".

Of course employers are inundated with applicants in a recession. However, I shared with the group that one of the ways that hiring managers screen through a mountain of applicants, is by connecting with the one or two candidates who go the extra mile. So let's assume you visit your big box retailer knowing you will get sent to the kiosk.

Why not take a copy of a well written resume, in an envelope to hand to a store manager?

If you know they will refer you to the online process, take care of that before you visit the job site. Get help in the privacy of your home or at your library and complete the application on line. Go to customer service, ask to see a manager, introduce yourself and hand them an envelope with your resume. Let them know you have already filled out the online application.

I can almost guarantee that if the manager scans the resume for 30 seconds and sees something they like, they will actually go into their online database and find your application. Of course they can't hire if they have no jobs, but if you want to improve your chances, this is a strategy that can work!

I have seen this approach work.

By the way, this is a great strategy for teenagers hoping to find summer employment.

Get help with resume writing in these other articles.

It's Never Too Late: The Benefits of Adult Education

This guest post is contributed by Katheryn Rivas, who writes on the topics of online universities accredited . She welcomes your comments at her email Id: katherynrivas87@gmail.com .

By now, nobody needs convincing that the economy has seen better days. Although some experts are predicting a bit of bounce-back from the recession in coming months, many Americans are still out of work or struggling to make their jobs worth more. No matter what category you're in, you might want to consider going back to school.

I know what you're thinking. Those of you with degrees think it's a waste of time to go back to school, and those without them think it's too late to do anything about it. But you're both wrong. Whether you're supplementing your current education with a graduate degree or you're a worker looking at getting the bachelor's degree you never achieved, going back to school as an adult can be a smart career choice.

For starters, adult education is a good way to add to your skill set. If you've got a bachelor's degree in business or finance, expanding on it with a master's of business administration or something similar can open more doors for you and make it easier to rise through the ranks of your career field. By the same token, adults with years of working experience but no actual degree can get a lot farther by proving they have the drive and determination to finish their education as well as pursue job opportunities.

Going back to school as an adult has an added bonus not available to younger students: You're still able to work full-time while attending classes at night or in your spare time by earning a degree online. That level of flexibility is what makes it possible to avoid having to choose between staying employed and going to school in the hopes that your degree will get you your old job back or a new job right away. What's more, your employer might be willing to participate in a tuition-reimbursement program if your schooling is related to your job in a specific way. Talk to your manager or human resources department about reimbursement opportunities.

The most important thing to remember about adult education is that it's never too late to make the smart choice for your future. Whether you've always wanted to get your degree or you're looking to step up a level in your schooling, you're never past the point of improving your education.

Working Overseas is Possible!

Anita Santiago at The Workforce Connection offers 5 great resources for an international job search.

Here is what Anita says:

"The key to success in the international job market is defining your career goals and matching those goals to the right opportunity.Whether you work for the U.S. Government, a foreign government or private corporation, an international job may be the path to career advancement and success. International jobs also create unique opportunities to live and learn about others in the global community."

Check out the 5 resources here.

WSJ.com - Even in a Recovery, Some Jobs Won't Return

"Even when the U.S. labor market finally starts adding more workers than it loses, many of the unemployed will find that the types of jobs they once had simply don't exist anymore." So says, Justin Lahart in an article for the Wall Street Journal today.

Lahart continues that some of the "lost jobs will come back. But some are gone forever, going the way of typewriter repairmen and streetcar operators."

Harvard University economist Lawrence Katz concurs by saying, "The tremendous amount of economic activity associated with housing, I can't see that coming back...That was a very unhealthy part of the economy."

The article highlights that some jobs were on the decline anyway and just accelerated by the recession. For example the Department of Labor cites that in November 2009, there were:

-36% fewer people working in record shops than two years earlier
-23% fewer people working at directory and mailing list publishers
-46% fewer people working at photofinishing establishments

The phenomenon of jobs and careers disappearing forever is not a new one. What is new, is the speed at which jobs and careers move towards obsolescence. Certainly technology is playing a major role there. Just look at the 3 examples mentioned here - record shops, publishing houses and photofinishing services. In the case of photofinishing services, it seemed like just yesterday, some of us who are photography buffs, were really loving the idea of the 1-hour photo mart. Now with printers and digital cameras, we are doing things at home.

Here are some previous postings about declining careers and jobs that offer insight as to what to do if you think you are in one of these declining professions:

-Is your Career Going the Way of the Pontiac?
-Occupations with Declining Employment

Also, read the entire WSJ article and learn more about 6 real people faced with readjusting career expectations. It is possible to regroup and rebuild and for some people the time is right to look at new longer term options. Link to article.

What's your Career Resolution for 2010?

The 5th annual list of New Year's resolutions from Franklin Covey is now available. How does your list of personal resolutions stack up with this new list?

The economy was clearly the overwhelming influence this year with 44% of the respondents including resolutions pertaining to finances. Of course everyone knows that career and economics really go hand in hand. With 10% unemployment, careers, jobs and finances are front and center.

Did you make any resolutions for 2010? How did your 2009 resolutions work out for you?

2010 New Year's Resolutions from Franklin-Covey:

1. Improve financial situation or save money
2. Lose weight
3. Develop a healthy habit (e.g., healthy eating, exercise)
4. Change employment
5. Develop a regular savings plan
6. Break an unhealthy habit (e.g. smoking, alcohol, overeating)
7. Spend more time with friends and family.
8. Other
9. Get organized
10. Develop a new skill or talent

Keep in mind that the New Year gives you 12 months to acheive your goals. Stressing yourself because you don't get it right in the first month, doesn't really help.

Write them down and revisit them periodically throughout the year.

Take your time, stay positive and be deliberate.

Niche web sites Help Overcome Barriers to Employment

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the average job search is taking about twenty-eight weeks. The word “average” is important here. Many of us know people who have been very lucky and picked up new roles in a couple of months while we know others who have been unemployed for over a year in this current recession.

Time-to-employment is impacted by many factors, over which the jobseeker has control including number of hours committed to job search and how willing a job seeker is to explore multiple career options.

Time-to-employment can also be impacted by other factors over which the jobseeker has not much control – at least not in the short term. Some of these factors could be discrimination around age, disability or race or previous gaps in employment. Although we know these factors are at work, it is often hard to prove that an employer may be unfairly screening you out of the candidate pool.

If you think you are being impacted by any of these factors, the last thing you want to do is pull back on your job search and lose focus. Instead, you want to improve your chances of being hired by adding one important strategy to your job search -Connect with transition resources that have a track record for success in niche employment.

These niche resources can help job seekers narrow the focus enough to hit the bullseye and land an opportunity in a shorter time.

For example, eSight Career Networks, lists jobs for the disabled, and offers career tips to help professionals deal with disability employment issues. The Fortune Society, works to help people who have been incarcerated improve job search skills and build better lives through meaningful employment. Workforce50 serves older workers with a full service job board and career information website for Boomers.

If your job search is being stalled by some of these factors, get a leg up by finding resources in your online and “on-land” communities.

November was National Career Development Month

I am very, very late with my blogs this month. Not typical of me, but took on a new full time assignment and had a little bit of a settling-in routine. Not to worry, I feel I am in my zone now and ready to be productive.

In the meantime, November, the National Career Development Month, has just about come and gone. Before you know it, we will be looking at the 2010 Franklin Covey new year's resolution list.

Even though November is almost over, I wanted to remind you of the 30 assignments I usually share this time of year that, if used, could help every professional improve their career satisfaction.

Here they are again, with an accompanying blog post for each:

Here they are again:
Day 1 - Career Change Requires a Positive Attitude
Day 2 - Analyze Your Job
Day 3 - Evaluate Your Skills
Day 4 - Grab a Career Book
Day 5 - Focus on Training
Day 6 - Start Reading Career Blogs and Articles
Day 7 - Start a Career Journal
Day 8 - Start Working on a Career Portfolio
Day 9 - Get a Handle on Workplace Stress
Day 10 - Join Your Alumni Association
Day 11 - What's in Your Personnel File?
Day 12 - Enhance Technical Skills at Work
Day 13 - Thinking About Starting a Business
Day 14 - Join a Professional Association
Day 15 - Rejuvenate Your Contacts
Day 16 - Volunteer!
Day 17 - Create a Kudos Folder
Day 18 - Research Upcoming Job Fairs
Day 19 - Update Your Resume and CV
Day 20 - Explore Career Assessments
Day 21 - Job+Holiday=Stress; Get Some Perspective this Season
Day 22 - Look for Work Life Balance
Day 23 - Are career Myths Holding you Back?
Day 24 - Share your Resume and get Feedback
Day 25 - Learn About Informational Interviews
Day 26 - Identify 2-3 Career Options
Day 27 - Identify Gaps in Skills and Competencies
Day 28 - Register with 3 Employment Websites
Day 29 - Put Your References on Notices
Day 30 - Spend Time with a Career Coach

60 Weeks to a Health Care Career

The next time you have a doctor’s appointment, note how much time you actually spend with your personal physician vs. how much time you spend with medical office support staff. If you are like most people, you might find you spend more time with the office assistants and medical support staff than you do with your doctor.

I have nothing against doctors; I love mine!

As a career management professional, I often get asked about employment trends and ways to recession proof careers. Because of that, I am always observing the workplace, the roles people play, how organizations function and whether or not employees are a "fit" for their roles. I am also always scouting new opportunities to share with readers.

During my last visit to my doctor to remove stitches from the sole of my right foot, I noticed how much of my time I spent with medical office assistants.

The medical office assistants and staffers did everything from verifying my insurance eligibility, retrieving my charts and collecting my co-pay. The assistants in the front office who worked with me were energetic, friendly and showed real interest in hearing about the freak accident where I stepped on the neck of my son's Double Bass, which he had left laying across the living room floor, in the dark.

It made me think about how important these medical office assistants are to smooth operations of healthcare offices whether they are working in my doctor’s private office, in hospitals, insurance companies or with local, state or federal government agencies.

As our demographics continue to shift due to longer life expectancy, the Department of Labor reports that the health care sector, is expected to account for about 3.6 million new wage and salary jobs up to 2014. The health care industry is focused on attracting new labor to meet growing demand in these allied health professions. Since many of the front line, high demand jobs in the sector, like medical office assistants, do not require a four year degree, many schools, are making medical office assistant training available.

If you know a displaced employee, a recent graduate who has not yet landed the right opportunity or someone thinking about changing careers, urge them to consider a career in health care.

The field is growing and pending health care reforms will make the industry a hot area for employment for the foreseeable future.

The Halloween Costume vs. The Corporate Costume

IMG_2421 - Cruella de Vil
Originally uploaded by Anime Nut

I watched the Halloween episode of The Office last night. Yes, I tore myself away from The World Series to get my weekly fix of the crazy, wacky shenanigans of the gang at The Office.

By the way, GO PHILLIES! But I digress...

When I moved to California, I worked in a major corporate travel office where business professional attire was a daily must.

As Halloween approached, and everyone became increasingly excited, I wondered what all the fuss was about. Halloween came and I realized that people really looked forward to sharing their real selves with each other...all under the guise of an office event.

Once I told my kids about the fact that people at my office dressed up, they were ecstatic that Mom should do it too. I had capitulated and gone in as Robin Hood. At 5'10" it was the only costume I thought comfortable enough for my 60 minute commute. In fact, I wore pants over my tights and finished my get-up in the bathroom at work, not daring to be seen on the road or in the business park in a Halloween costume.

I was truly amazed at the steps some of my colleagues had taken to get the perfect fit and look. Still relatively new to California, I did not realize that many of my colleagues were aspiring actors and actresses. Many had already been in paid roles or were always auditioning or waiting for the big break.

One shift manager, always the comic, came in a complete, couture bridal attire, with two "bridesmaids" to accompany him and be at his beck and call for the entire shift. One company owner, usually stoic and professional, shaved his beard and goatee and came to work, fully made up as his very pregnant wife - which was hysterical. Turns out he had grown the beard and goatee for months to add impact when he came in for his big reveal.

One supervisor, known for her abrasive manner, appropriately came in as Cruella deVil and was lauded for doing so.

What struck me about that day, as I sat in my safe, Robin Hood get-up, was the energy that went through the office. It seemed easy for people to stay in character and be what they wanted to be for the whole day. Conversations were no holds barred as shifts changed and staff came and went. People came in early and stayed beyond their schedules to hang out, eat and just see each other.

We worked in a call center, and even though our callers might not have perceived the difference, we hope, the folks in the office certainly had a blast being these "characters" that revealed much about ourselves.

When the costumes went away the next day and we went back to "normal" corporate attire, there was a palpable feeling of routine and weariness. Some of that was no doubt because many of my co-workers were hungover from going to the famed Halloween parade at Santa Monica pier on Halloween night.

Aside from that though, I think people were somewhat unhappy going back to the corporate masks many of us wear to work every day.

With the Halloween costume, we can call people as we see them...crazy, stupid, funny, back stabber, silly, angry, evil or hellish.

Not so, the other 364 days of the year. Do that and you could end up in HR or court!