.png)
Employment - Skills and Passion to Increase Income
How to get a great job or career, when all else seem to not be working. Imagine that.
The First Impression Statement
Using as many tools as possible to get to the job interview, remember that while in the job-hunting mode, you only get one ‘first impression’ with the hiring officials you meet. You need to be prepared when you meet these people. It’s part of getting a job in order to earn a living, right? The whole point of your first impression statement is for the interviewer to understand you and who you are. Notice your introduction is truly about who you are, what you can do, and who you have become to this point in your life. So, prepare a statement that only includes phrases that literally start with the words: “I am” this or that, or “I can” do this or that, or “I have” such and such experience. This is not bragging; it is simply a statement of who you actually are, right? You are sincerely communicating ‘you’. So be sure to put some serious thought into your first impression statement so it is sincere and believable because that’s the whole reason for the interview – so that the hiring official(s) can find out what makes you tick; they want to know who you are, so just tell them upfront, right? Do you get it?
The Hiring Decision is Made in the First Minute – so Memorize It
Again, in a job seeking opportunity, and especially in an actual job interview, people tend to automatically form their own hiring opinion of who you are in the first minute, if not sooner. That’s why you have to prepare and share a sincere first impression statement in that first minute. Again, to get that job, you need to stand out. Your introduction is more powerful than your resume. You will want to deliver your introduction statement upfront, so take some time to really think about it; take a couple of hours. Interviewers want to know what you ‘can’ do for them, the experience you have to offer ‘Monday morning’, and the qualities and character traits that are yours; this may be the most important. But, don’t forget, the hiring decision largely rests on those first impressions, and as silly as it may sound, you need to have your statement to have the best chance at getting an offer of employment. Practice the statement until it is memorized and you can deliver it flawlessly, meaningfully, with complete confidence – ‘eye to eye’ confidence. Do you see it?
It’s Your Job Interview, Not Theirs
Get yourself in front of people, whether in an online informational interview where you talk to people in the field to learn more about such and such jobs, or an actual interview for possible employment. If they start out by saying something like “what are you interested in” or “tell me about yourself”, then go ahead and give them your memorized, but sincere first impression statement. Whether on the phone or in person, lean forward, sit up straight, and ‘look them in the eye’ too. But, if they dive right into the interview without giving you a chance to formally introduce yourself, kindly speak up and ask if you could please introduce yourself first; remember it is your interview, not theirs. Let them know you are looking for employment because you are passionate about the field, etc. Do you see it yet?
A Word of Caution – Be Honest
Your first impression statement must be genuine; in no way can it be false, okay? If you’re anything less than 100% honest in its development and delivery, you will lose out and your introduction will be discerned as being phony and you likely won’t get the job. People can see right through anything that is deceptive or dishonest. Who you are is who you are, whether you like it or not. And, maybe doing this exercise may cause you to really think about whether or not you actually like who you are, right? Maybe you’re truly better than who you think you are, even if it’s only because you really want to be better. Everyone comes to this realization from time to time, and if now is the time, then so be it. Consider yourself lucky then. While doing some sincere pondering about your first impression statement, take this time to change or improve yourself; let this be reflected in your introduction. Putting together your first impression statement is a defining time, a personal self-reflecting interview of sorts. Yes, it will be the real you, because, well, it is you. Again, this whole thing is about being completely honest, so if you’re an honest person, then say so in your introduction. Nothing short of being honest about the real you will work; it’s a waste of time otherwise. And it is okay if your statement is what it is. People hire those they know. Your first impression statement will show them who you are. Get it?
An Example of a First Impression Statement…
Following is a partial example. Be sure to have every sentence begin with the words: I have…, I can…, and I am. For example:
“I am John B. Sample. I have 27 years of commercial banking experience. I have expertise in Special Assets, Portfolio Management and Appraisal Review. I am honest, professional, resolute, and diplomatic. I can fulfill any such assignment, at any time and in any location. I am prepared to ‘deliver’ on day-one, with minimal supervision…”
Use a Qualifications Highlight Statement - NOT a resume!
Next, don’t use a regular resume to show your experience. Employers don’t care as much about where you’ve worked in the past and the titles you’ve had. They want to 1) know who you are - that’s the purpose of the first impression statement that you deliver in person, ‘eye to eye’, so they will really know, and 2) know what skills, experience and knowledge you have available for them on day-one. Unlike traditional resumes that don’t show the employer examples of your skills, instead use a single page Qualifications Highlights Statement (QHS). The QHS provides very specific examples of what can do. Start by choosing a half dozen (or more), core areas of experience or expertise that you are really good at or very passionate about. Note any of these skills that may be potentially transferrable to other industries and job functions in case you need to make a change to another industry; it opens up more options and opportunities. As you create these areas of focus, be thinking of several examples of accomplishments for each of the areas of expertise. The QHS will create excitement and passion for finding the next job. When the prospective employer sees your QHS, he will want to actually read the entire document, giving him a sense of your qualifications and passion for hiring you. The QHS is much more interesting than a resume. He will literally see what skills you can deliver starting on ‘Monday morning’, as opposed to seeing a resume full of glorious titles and positions on a traditional resume; save that information for filling out the official job application at the time of hiring. The QHS and the first impression statement go hand-in-hand at the first meeting. Passion leads to faster hiring because the employer will know who you are and what can do for him. Make it so he must hire you, and couldn’t do without you, right?
Specifically, How to Complete Your QHS
Specifically, how do you prepare your list of qualification accomplishments? Basically, what you’re going to do first is to list up to six or more core areas of experience or expertise that you have achieved throughout your career or education. These are your skills, experience, and knowledge, and represent the value you can add on day one. Look back at all your jobs, education, projects, and life experiences. Think of your favorite work, or something you are passionate about doing; this is likely something you would literally do for free. Next, think of three or more accomplishments that you have done for each of the core areas listed. Use several bullet points of actual accomplishments for each area, and use numbers and dates to describe each accomplishment.
An Example of a QHS…
Following is a partial example of such a qualification highlight statement:
John B. Sample
2766 NE Manchester Street
Alexandria, Nevada, 76455
722-109-9087
johnbsample@gmail.com
Appraisal Review Function
Reviewed 177 commercial real estate appraisals from 2015 to 2019, with total appraised values of $334 million
Reviewed 510 residential appraisals from 2013 to 2019, with total appraised values of $187.8 million
Prepared Appraisal policy and procedures for senior management and board approval in 2018
Again, list the various skills off to the left side, and then list several bullet point accomplishments for each of these core areas, to the right of each. The bullet points will show how and when, and what things that you have accomplished in each area – these are the things hiring officials will readily recognize that qualify you in order to start work on ‘Monday morning’. A well-prepared QHS does not list the names of former employers or any titles or responsibilities.
Rise to the Top of the Candidates
With a strong first impression statement to introduce yourself, and a single page QHS, you will (hopefully) sit atop the field of candidates. Employers want to know the person they want to hire, and they want to know what that person can actually do. These two tools do just that. They’re less interested in flashy appearances and overloaded resumes with fancy talk. When a job is offered, that is when you’ll be asked to fill out the application, which is nothing more than a resume. The first impression statement and accompanying QHS will be what gets you the job offer. Be sure the QHS is grammatically perfect with your full name and current contact information too.
Ask for the Job
This is the simple part, assuming you really want the job. When you get an interview, be sure to ask for the job. Literally, go ahead and ask for it. Say: “May I please have this job”? People forget to do that. Always express appreciation.
Compensation
When the employer makes the offer and talks about compensation, try to get them to put the ‘number’ on the table first. Think in terms of annual salary, depending on the job, or monthly income, as opposed to hourly wages. If you’re forced to discuss a number first, ask if they could share with you the pay range that the position offers. Employers will generally divulge the pay range, and make you their best proposal. What’s wrong with asking for higher compensation in six months if you exceed their expectations? Once the offer is made, if you think there is a bit more wiggle room, do the math quickly and ask for a salary that’s slightly higher than what was offered (i.e., five or even 10% more). You’ll likely get your first raise before you start the job. Think about that one. You’re smiling. You got this.
Recognize Where Changes May Be Needed
In an economic downturn, you may experience an environment of decreased compensation due to higher unemployment. With your Tunabudget worksheet plan, you can readily insert the pending lower compensation into play, and then make pending changes to the balance sheet and expenses to fit the new income. Be thankful. Be willing to change your lifestyle (home, car, toys, etc.), essentially whatever it takes to keep your family safe, with food on the table. Life isn’t always going to work out the way you want it. Make the best of it, and be humble and willing to change things up. The Tunabudget worksheet plan will tell you what those changes will be. And you’ll be happy to make the changes, as you will see what needs to be done for your very own self, and spouse, and family.
CANDID QUESTIONS
Have you ever lost your ‘good’ job, and been unemployed or under-employed for an extended period of time?
Have you ever had to work multiple jobs ‘to stay afloat’?
While unemployed, how did you handle Christmas, and other such times?
Have you ever been under-employed and been working multiple jobs and wondered how you were going to still make the next rent or mortgage payment?
Has your income dropped to where you literally had no money for the moment to where you really didn’t know what you were going to do the next day (i.e., get your daughter money for a field trip), or gas to fuel the car, or make a car repair, etc.?
Have you been in a situation where you had an excessive or overwhelming debt burden, when facing a material drop in income, and your credit score was potentially at risk?
How nervous are you about your job, and its longer-term prospects?