This year has had its ups and downs….

Crab courtesy of Value Clips

Are we all just crabs in a big bucket trying to get to the top?  What I am referencing is trying to get to the top of the pile of resumes, how do you do it?  Well, I do believe that it involves thinking outside of the normal mode of thinking, doing something way different from what you did in the past or what others are doing.  Sometimes it is difficult to think outside the box, so reach out to other’s that have some creative solutions.  I’ve collected a few comments that I have found to be inspirational, and I hope they inspire you too.

Michael has some excellent information worth sharing to the masses.  I was overly impressed at his simplicity in examining some core concepts involving methodologies used in the field of project management. This is an excerpt, and I encourage you to look him up and add him to your list of experts to follow.  He’s what I would consider – real talk!

Michael Fisher, Project & Facilities Manager and Surveyor
Project Management Methodologies (reposted from LinkedIn group discussion board – Project Management Link – pmlink.org)

I admit that I come from a Property/Construction background so perhaps I have missed what some regard as the big picture. However, I have looked long and hard, but there is no ‘universal truth’ in any single ‘methodology. So in my sheltered, easy-going world of construction and property projects I prefer to dodge the semantics and claims about which methodology is ‘best’ because not one of them has been proven to be worthy of that claim.

In fact, if we take into account that 70% of projects fail (I did not create that statistic) there must be a correlation between that failure rate and the methodologies employed. It’s tempting to consider that the methodology debate does no more than add unnecessary layers of well-meaning complexity to an already complex set of infinitely variable variables….marvellous fodder for academics who want a well padded route to research fees, fame and accolade but really of little consequence to PM practitioners until all the theories converge into one empirically proven set of methods that reverse the 70% historic failure rate to 80% success rate (say)….or even a significant improvement that is well over 50% success rate.

I tend to analyse projects under four headings:
* P I C A i.e. Plan, Implement, Control, Adjust.
* Each of those can be examined via SWOT analysis…AND
* Each of those can be broken down further via STEP factors.

Michael is a LinkedIn member, so login to read the rest of his analysis, I guarantee you it won’t be a waste of your time…

Sometimes it takes someone on the outside looking in to provide you with that “whack on the side of the head” that changes the meaning of what you are doing.  Such was the case with this simple email from a student.

Last month I taught another of my free online eduFire video classes. This class was based on my eBook, The Project Management Minimalist. After the class I received this email from one of the attendees:

“Thank you for your class, ‘Become a Project Management Minimalist!’ The practical tools and skills-in-attitude you teach are a source of inspiration and clarity for me. As a young project manager with a passion for social impact, I’m clear that the tools you share will help me become an effective presence for my community and teams. Project management as you teach it is truly a technology of manifestation!

–  Best Wishes, Soheil Majd “

Michael has some excellent resources for project managers. I enjoy following his words of wisdom because he is clear, precise and just logical.  I encourage you to read the rest of his article at http://michaelgreer.biz/?p=1125

Interesting Article: (reposted from Internsover40 - http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-stay-positive-during-your-job.html
Editors Note: After 6 months or so of job searching you might have some really ( down days. But there are so many things you can do that will help you maintain a positive view of the world.  It may feel like the only job left for you is the midnight shift as a stocking clerk. While we do what we have do you must not lose sight of your long-term job search.  Worth noting that this article also includes a very informative video, so take a look.

The project manager has been at this a long time, and he’s been frustrated for much of that time.

“I get to the end of my rope about once a week,” he said, “I go in there and tell my manager how screwed up things are and what needs to be done to make it all work. And you know what happens? Absolutely nothing!”

Meanwhile, at the other end of this relationship, things are fine. It all depends upon your perspective.

“Joe is a really good project manager,” his manager tells me. “But he’s kind of a worrier. He comes in here every once in a while with a list of problems. I let him unload for a while – then he goes back and finds ways to get the job done.”

So one sees a system that doesn’t work, while the other sees a cyclical ritual that is just a factor in a passable way of life.

This case scenario is common in most workplaces that employ project management practices, read to discover the solution to this problem.  If you are in this situation, then you certainly need to connect with Jim. – Read More

Public Service Announcement:  A sure way to build up your reservoir of information and add to your network, is to follow experts who know what they’re talking about.  Use the RSS feed, find them on Twitter, add them to your reader.  I am building up my network, 51 network members to date on LinkedIn. YEAH!

As always, please leave your comments or any resourceful information that will aspire us to reach higher.

Until next time,
Dawn

Courtesy of TrekNature

So, Twitter (more information in the resource section) has an add-on application, TweetDeck.  This desktop/mobile app allows you to seamlessly integrate many other social media components, such as FaceBook, Linkedin, Buzz, FourSquare as well as Twitter just to name a few.  Within a single window I am able to add several columns of information, which are constantly updated.  The importance of this is simple – I am not jumping from window to window within various browsers to keep up with my global search efforts.

TweetDeck is also customizable – you can use hash tags (#) in order to filter out relevant information pertaining to your interests.  I have #project management chicago, #jobsusa, and #social media as my key search engines.  One of  the most awesome feature is, you can update your status, reply to comments or post information from one point of contact.  Use TweetDeck to alert your followers to the fact that you are looking for a job.  Let them know about your awesome talents, in other words, toot your own horn!  Become your own recruiter by building up your network and establishing connections.

Public Service Announcement:

Every little swallow, every chick-a-dee
Every little bird in the tall oak tree
The wise old owl, the big black crow
Flappin’ their wings singing go bird go

As always, I encourage you to use your down time as an opportunity to re-invent, re-explore, re-vitalize, re-establish and re-create yourself so that you remain relevant in an ever-changing work space. I’ve included a few worthy resources to assist you, so until next time – Enjoy!

• Why am I Still Lost at 40 - http://www.positionignition.com/blog/2010/9/29/careers-why-am-i-still-lost-at-40.html
• JobTalkAmerica – Reinvent. Reposition. Reinvigorate – http://jobtalkamerica.com
• Social Media 3Q Update: Who Uses Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, & MySpace? - http://socialmediatoday.com/paulkiser/199133/social-media-3q-update-who-uses-facebook-twitter-linkedin-myspace

Remember that sharing is caring, so if you have some helpful hints, then please feel free to share.

Until next time,
Dawn

The article below is an excellent opportunity to brush up on your interviewing skills. I also believe that some of the questions are also stepping-stones to acquiring more customers/clients for your business. People skill are more relevant today than any other time in my natural history. If you are prepared mentally, then this era doesn’t have to be considered “depressing.”

Read and then share your thoughts or additional resources!

13 of the Toughest Interview Questions reposted courtesy of Timesunion
October 8, 2010 at 5:00 am by Tom Denham

The interview is the final stage before a job offer is made, so you must give an absolute command performance. Success means getting a perfect A+. Anything less and you come in second place. There is often a question behind the question, so answer their underlining concern. Here is my tough questions list. Study them carefully and develop your own tailored responses using examples.

1. Tell me about yourself. – This is the most common first question and it is open-ended which forces you to make a concise well-organized and compelling argument about your candidacy. I suggest giving an overview of your education, experience and accomplishments and how it is a fit for this position and the company. Avoid too much personal information. It is your job to spark further interest in you. You’ll need to prove early on that you have what the employer needs.

2. Why do you want to work here? – First, research the organization’s products, services, mission and any important details. Be sure you send the message that you are looking for a specific job there, not just any job. A sample answer could be, “I love and use your products. The management understands where the company should go, and I want to be a part of its success.”

3. What interests you most about this position? – Be truthful and prove your enthusiasm and interest in them. Talk about the fascinating details of the job and why they excite you. You might say, “There are three things that appeal to me the most about this opportunity: 1) the challenge, 2) the direction of the organization, and 3) the room to grow. Let me explain further…”

4. Why do you want to change jobs? – It is unprofessional to bad mouth a former employer or supervisor. Stay positive and say, “I’ve really learned a lot at XYZ, but the company is losing ground to its competitors, and I’m excited that this job will help me grow.”

5. Why have you changed jobs so frequently? – Be honest, but brief, focusing on the positive. A sample response might be, “I regret leaving my last position because it was a good company, but my performance was not the issue. I had a personal and family matter that needed my full attention. This has been resolved. I also learned that it was not the direction I wanted to go in.”

6. Why are there gaps on your resume? – Be prepared to explain what you were doing and any skills you developed during that time. Focus on the positive and what you accomplished. Perhaps you might say, “I used the time very constructively to gain additional skills and experience. I also reevaluated my goals and came to this conclusion…”

7. What is your greatest strength? – Your strength should directly relate to what is required to perform the job successfully. You might say, “I am highly organized. For example, I create a To Do List of the top task that I need to accomplish that day, then I stay focused and determined to get them checked off. This approach has helped me to incrementally reach my goals.”

8. What is your greatest weakness? – First, be honest and then give specific examples on how you are working to improve them. Avoid something that would be a serious liability. Don’t state, “I’m a perfectionist.” It’s too predictable. One idea is to say, “I have a tendency to say ‘yes’ to additional responsibility and then get overcommitted.” Give an example of how you are working on prioritizing and setting limits. Draw the attention away from the weakness and refocus the interview on your strengths and skills.

9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? – Your goals should reflect what the company has to offer. Do you have a clear direction of where you are going professionally or will you attempt to “find yourself” on their time? Will you job hop after they have invested in you? You could say, “I’ve done a lot of self-assessment, and what I have learned is that I want to make a commitment to this field and I want to build it here. I am very interested in gaining knowledge and experience to become a subject matter expert.”

10. What is an example of a time you failed? – State the experience, your role and then the result. Finally, explain what you learned from the experience. One answer might be, “I did not do enough research on my last employer before they hired me. I learned that it was not a good fit. I have not repeated my mistake, and I have a great deal of knowledge about this new opportunity.”

11. What salary are you expecting? – Remember: the person who states the salary first is the loser. The number that is thrown out first is most always negotiated downward. The employer already has a salary range in mind, ask them to give the range then say, “I am within that range, and we can discuss it further when an offer is made.” You can also say, “I have no set salary. What salary is usually offered to someone with my qualifications?”

12. Why should we hire you? – Keep your answer direct, convincing and to the point. Go back to your resume and reiterate the top three to five things that make you outstanding. These skills, education, experience and personality traits should be matched to the top needs of the job and organization. You need to show that you have a track record and are results oriented.

13. Do you have any questions? – Demonstrate that you are prepared with three to five questions that are relevant. One answer might be, “Yes, thank you. I do have a few questions. First, your website states that you have a new CEO. What are his/her priorities?”

Service Announcement:  Here is another article that I too believe is very informative as well as interesting – 10 Ways an Older Worker can Leverage Linkedin to get a Job

Once you’re laid off, seems like the rose-colored glasses come off very quickly.  Anyway, I started exploring the world of social, which includes so many things.  One entry can’t even begin to capture all the tools, so lets just shop talk about one at a time.

Public Announcement: If you have not signed up for a google account, please do so immediately.  There is a plethora of tools (calendar, document storage, discussion board, email and today’s topic – RSS feed) and all of this is AVAILABLE to you by just signing up with the service. Need I twist your arm more???

Keep up with the Jones’
Subscribe to the RSS Feed. For those who are not tech junkies (believe it or not I fall into this category at some stage of the game) here is a bit of info in a digested format. It is simply a way to stay current about the posts and updates on a website. All of my subscriptions are located in my Google Application. So short drive to Alaska, just click on the icon (little orange thing in the url window – http://oneforhire.wordpress.com (orange thing) and follow the instructions. Still confused email me and we’ll walk through it together.

Short snippet from one of my other pages.  Most websites, which includes blogs too, have a RSS feed icon. Once you set up your google account, or another if you prefer, you can access content an add subscriptions and keep current.  I also have a feed that gives me hundreds of potential job leads within my field, AWESOME!

Interesting articles for your leisure reading:

• http://gigaom.com/2010/09/13/no-rss-is-not-dead-and-neither-are-rss-readers/
• http://googlereader.blogspot.com/
• http://www.whatisrss.com/
• http://www.baselinemag.com/rss-feeds-90.html (For the PMs looking to add a bit more meat to your plate )

Hopefully this information has been an asset to you and please feel free to share it and anything else for us aspiring creative folks.

Until next time,
Dawn

Anyway, I’ve learned a few more tricks of the trade since my last post. Namely, it is very difficult to get people to send me information on their business ventures. I thought I would be very successful doing the “weekly shout out,” but alas – appears that it has failed miserably. I found myself spending more energy in chasing colleagues and friends who are entrepreneurs than actually writing the blogs. So, going at this from another perspective. I’ll blog and those interested in getting some WOM (word of mouth) free advertising can contact me.

Public Service Announcement:
LinkedIn Groups

• Group: Project Manager Networking Group
• Subject: Project Management Group Announcements

If you’re in my part of the world, good morning!

Hope you’re having a nice week. I would like to let you know about a few updates for our Project Management group.

1. We are offering a free sponsored whitepaper on storage. If you manage projects involved in data consolidation or storage infrastructure, it might be relevant to you: http://bit.ly/9rHxEu

Ok, what does one do in the meantime of full-time job searching? Working part-time is the right answer. There are quite a few companies with a multitude of openings with shifts that allow you to continue your full-time search.  Also, may I note that you should do research on companies before you go on an interview spree. I can only surmise that due to the economy, there are companies that prey on the unemployed. Don’t be a victim! With that said, the following are a few to get you started:

• Jobnet – http://jobcircle.com/jobnet/
• One Day One Job – http://www.onedayonejob.com/
• Craigslist – http://craigslist.com (be careful – there are job scam artist lurking)
• Snagajob – http://www.snagajob.com/
• Project Manager Jobs – http://www.projectmanagers.net/page/project-manager-jobs (of course one of my favorites)

Of course this is a short list just to get you motivated.  If you know of others, please jump right in on this discussion.  I recently joined yet another networking group on Linkedin.com and have found it to be an excellent resource for both advice, networking and job sharing. The group is Project Managers Networking Group (PPMNG). Later in the week I’ll share some of the articles and advice.

STANDING ON SOAP BOX: I can’t stress it enough, social media/networking/marketing and all of that is real and here to stay. If you haven’t explored it yet, I encourage you to start today!
GETTING DOWN NOW!

Happy Job Hunting Sunday.

Until later,
Dawn

Thomas Williams - Just Us

Passion is defined as a strong feeling or emotion.  Those are my feelings expressed exactly when I think about writing.  I love to write and my passion lies within the art of both the written and spoken word.  Not until recently have I discovered that I also have a passion for visualization, you know – art in the form of drawings and paintings.  And of course, these are only two medians – surely you can name more.  Anyway, I met a brother a few months ago, thanks to Facebook, who has mastered this art quite well.  For those who graced me with their presence at my birthday party earlier this year will remember the portrait fixed to my living room wall – unframed.  It is often a focal point of discussion (no that is not me – I would be so lucky to have hips like that…)

Bio:
Thomas started drawing at the tender age of 12, after comic books had piqued his interest in the ability of the pictorial to convey meaning and further a narrative. Williams declined an invitation to attend the Art Institute of Chicago in 1983, opting instead to pursue his artistic training at Chicago’s American Academy of Art, where his concentration had been in rendering the human form.  He attended Columbia College, in Chicago, Illinois where his studies were focused on illustration, design, and figure drawing. 

Psychedelic Realism:
I am equally enamored with multiple media, showing no favoritism towards the many tools of my artisan calling, whether acrylic paints, pastels, watercolors, or airbrushing, each of which upon I rely to assist in making my subjects transform into vivid and realistic depictions of that which is nebulous or ephemeral, the fruits of my combined imagination and perception.

ENTREPRENEURIAL Spirit!
Began during his early years, wherein he sold original airbrushed creations as a teen; for the past fifteen years, Williams has worked in the profession of advertising, dedicating his free time to watercolor workshops and artistic creations in colored pencil, acrylics, and oil paints of a more personal vein.

Public Service Announcement: Next week Sharona Walker, gallery owner.  

Here and Now:
He is a self-employed artist working from his home-based studio.  

Contact Information:
Email Thomas Williams at wtompst@aol.com
Facebook
Location: Richton Park, IL

Final thoughts:  If today was the last day of your natural life, would you be able to look back and say that you’ve really had a good time.  This is of course a rhetorical questions, but you should take a few minutes every day to re-cap the events that have transpired between yesterday and today.  If your life is not going according to your plan, then do something about it – right now.  Make up in your mind TODAY that you are the driver in the seat of your own existence.  If you are in the unemployment line of life, don’t let that stop you.  I encourage you to take this time and explore the many options that are available to you.  Take a look at this interesting article that speaks volumes about a potential career change – http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/10/7-secrets-to-get-job-using-social-media_24.html.

Old cliché, but true – live today as if it were your last!!!!!!

We've Arrived - Women on the Rise

The Internet is a wondrous piece of technology that has inspired me to heights of creativity that I would never have dreamed – and I am not the only one with this realization.    Well, that is my segue into introducing my  

Tia Jones the Artist

featured entrepreneur for this week – Ms. Tia Jones Etu. She is multi-talented, multi-dimensional human being. An artist with talent and compassion. Check out her work and let her be your stepping stone to your next artistic endeavor.  

Bio:
A graduate of Chicago’s School of the Art Institute, she has been creating and teaching art in Chicago and surrounding suburbs since 1982.  She has studied art in Paris, London, Zacatecas and served for a time as an Ambassador of the Arts in Brazil.  She is the recipient of many awards, including the coveted Joseph Shapiro Award. Her murals along with other artwork have been prominently displayed in Oak Park.  She resides in Oak Park and is currently taking applications for her next art class, which begins this Fall.
  

Bracelets that Capture Your True Elegance!

Passion:
To improve the quality of the human behavior and experience through art.  

Her ART!
Captures social inequities in powerful and unique ways, reaches across all borders of race, gender orientation, and religion, and grabs the viewer with a very real sense of human longing for acceptance.  She has worked for major local businesses – Girl Scouts of Chicago, Chicago Tourism Bureau, Oak Park Arts Council and Columbia College just to name a few.  

Public Service Announcement: Next week Kerri R. Smith, our featured artist.  

Artistic Expressions via:  

Red Dove - original canvas painting with such vivid splendor.

Painting, Art Restoration, Puppet Creation, Teaching, Mentoring, Set designing, and Illustrating – An Artist Guru…..  

Here and Now:
She is a self-employed artist who enjoys the freedom that her artistic creations allow her – working daily in her studio.  She is finishing her next major piece, a mural for a western suburb city of Chicago and of course teaching art classes to inspiring students!  

Contact Information:
Tia Jones-Etu: email her at whatevercomestomind@msn.com
Website: http://whatevercomestomind.webs.com/
Location: Oak Park, IL  

Final thoughts: I have over 300 friends/colleagues and foes on my Facebook and 41 followers on my Twitter.  You may say, “And..Dawn?”  I reply, “Well that is 341 more people than I had last year at this time.”  Some will fall by the wayside as we have absolutely nothing in common, others will linger just to stay current and then some will remain permanent fixtures in my life (you know like taxes) and all of them will have an effect on my life.  I am grabbing the opportunity to surround myself with positive energy and I hope you do the same.  Remember that networking is also a key component to securing that next job opportunity.  Often times it is about who you know and not what you know.  

Kerri R. Smith - Marketing and Relationship Development Coach

 

Next week: Kerri R. Smith – A Marketing and Business Development Coach, she host a weekly blog radio talk show focused on “empowering women in the LGBT community” and has authored several relationship e-books. One of her inspirational quotes, “Never take for granted where you’ve been, what you’ve seen, who you’ve crossed paths with….then embrace where you ARE!”  

If you are interested in your talents being featured on the “Wednesday – Shout-Out” email me at just-thinking@writeme.com or contact me via Facebook – Dawn Porter.  

Until next time…  

As always, Dawn  

  

Is 40 the new 20?

People are saying that 40 is the new 20 and so forth on.  I argue that is simply not the truth when it comes to seeking employment in today’s economy.  If you’ve been in the business for 20 years, there’s, no way you can possibly be 20 years old.  All that to say, if you are over 40 and re-entering the job market due to downsizing, firing, position shifting and so on – then you need to devise new strategies to attract the attention of employers.

Public Service Announcement: Wednesday I will feature one of our community’s finest – Tia Jones the artist.

I’ve found a new site to add to my blogroll – Interns over 40.  It is a useful resource with a lot of valuable information for over-the-hill job seekers.  There was a time when you could rest assure that you would retire from your comfortable government job, or that fortune 500 company with your umbrella drink in hand.  Those days are not looking too bright, so it’s imperative that you equip yourself to handle any unsuspecting change in your career.

For those like myself, who are gathering as much information as possible, I suggest you visit this site.  I’ve listed below a few article titles with the web site that are interesting and informative.  Unemployment is real and so is aging, don’t let either of these realities stop you from succeeding.

Internsover40:

• Sunday, July 11, 2010
  Do you know the 7 Mistakes Job Seekers Over 50 Make?
• Tuesday, April 13, 2010
  No pain no gain- finding a gym or finding a job?
• Monday, March 29, 2010
  Weekly Summary:Want to get a job using social media?
• Wednesday, February 10, 2010
  Job Discrimination Over 40?

On a lighter note:  I’ve been blogging for 7 months now, and really enjoying the connections that I am making with each post.  It is not a waste of time, as blogging creates creativity and that is right within my career track.  I hope not to be unemployed for too much longer, but while I am – believe you me, I am exploring all possible avenues to obtaining that awesome job.

Public Service Announcement: Wednesday I will feature one of our community’s finest – Tia Jones the artist.

Share your thoughts.

As always, Dawn.

If you are not, then I most certainly will encourage you to download this free (did I mention free!) tool.  I do realize that there are so many tools out on the Internet and it is overwhelming to choose one.  So, let me help you out on this one.  Go to skype.com and the rest is a piece of red velvet cake.

You may be wondering how this application can aid you in your job search.  Right off of the back, I can tell you how I’ve used it at least twice in my searching endeavors.

1. Employers who are located in other states – why fly me there for a meet and greet session when they can use either the video (webcam mandatory) or VOIP (voice over internet protocol) feature and interview me right from the privacy of my Illinois home.
2. To inter-communicate with others who are also seeking job positions.  We are able to gather in the conversation room and swap ideas that enable us to get a leg up on the next job opportunity.

It is relatively easy and will only take a few minutes to download and install.  There of course are other features that you can use, for a small fee, that you may find to also be useful.

For the small business folks, and the inspiring entrepreneurs, this money-saving application is really ideal for those conferences with members of your staff who are located in other places than the home state.  It has a file sharing feature as well as screen-sharing capabilities.  Just this afternoon, I was able to assist a colleague in converting some of her psds to pdfs, all by just viewing her desktop.  It saved us hours, well almost – had to use another free program (ProofHQ) in order to actually receive the files.  I’ll share that program at a later date, but feel free to do some research on your own.

Well, that’s it for now – hope you guys had a great weekend and passed out some business cards.  That’s right, even if you are unemployed, you still need business cards in order to keep yourself relevant in the job market.  Take a quick trip to Vista Print – affordable printing are the keywords.

Let me know if you found this application to be valuable, I am always online – dawnporter2.  Would love to hear from you – until later…

As always, Dawn