Career Cube Blog

It’s easy to start to panic about the job search process. You’re sending out resumes, not getting any callbacks, going on interviews, not getting any callbacks. It all seems like such a hopeless endeavor.

Then you read an article about standing out from the crowd. And you think-yeah, I need to do that–what can I do that will be different than everyone else?

Then you start to send “gifts.”

One of my good friends is a HR Director and she called me this week eager to tell me about a candidate’s latest attempt to stand out.

During the interview, the candidate directly compared their workstyle to a superhero cartoon. It was a memorable analogy, I would have recommended that he talk about a specific work instance where he demonstrated that quality that he used the superhero to illustrate, but it’s impossible to land every answer. It would have been OK if the candidate just left it at that.

However, instead of letting it go, the candidate sent my friend a thank you note in the form of an e-card featuring an animated superhero. Ouch! E-cards are NEVER professional. They’re what you send your friends when you forgot to put a card in the mail. They’re a cute pick-me-up to send to someone who is going through a rough time. They are never, under any circumstances, appropriate to send to a manager. NEVER!!! Read more

Popularity: 21% [?]

Everyone who’s been fired raise their hands.

Yup, mine’s up there too. With the way corporate environments are these days, it’s not unusual. There are very few people who haven’t been fired or laid off at least once in their career. So why are job seekers still so ashamed of it? (See last issue: Are You A Defensive Interviewer?) Why is someone ashamed of being fired when the reason that isn’t shameful at all?

Here are 3 examples, what the reasons behind them were, and how to handle it if you ever find yourself in a similar situation.

INSTANCE #1: I’m being deliberately vague on this one as the person asked to remain anonymous. So no name, and not too many details: One person had a 30-day review during which, it seemed to me, they were set up. The company was going through the motions for documentation and procedure. Because of what they said during this review, there wasn’t a chance it was going to work out in favor of the individual. Two weeks later they were fired over a very petty thing, saying the changes they’d advised the person to make hadn’t been made.

What to make of it: My assessment is that the company, or an individual, had it in for this person. Who knows why? Sometimes managers get threatened. Sometimes someone higher up just wants someone out of there, but not for a legit reason. It’s not always the fault of the person who was fired. If this happens to you, look at how long you’ve been there - two months doesn’t bode as well as two years. Look at any tenseness. Anybody in particular seemed to just dislike you? or avoid you? Or pick on you? Did a new boss just arrive and that person share’s a common area with you?

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Job hunting can really wear a person down. For those that are out of a job, you’re spending hours at home searching job boards, doing research on prospective companies, and having phone interviews. If you’re lucky you can go to a networking event and have a few crackers and soda to ideally meet someone who can help you in your search. For those with a job, you’re feeling worn out doing your current job and keeping up appearances that you’re still completely dedicated to the company and position. In the meantime you’re interviewing on the sly, searching for new postings when you get home from work and on the weekends. It’s exhausting!

The important thing is to not let that get to how you look.

What do I mean by that?

When you’re not feeling motivated and excited by your job, it’s harder to put on an enthusiastic, polished image. A job takes up most of your waking time on Earth, and if it’s unsatisfying, it’ll wear on you.

Next time you’re out and about, notice someone who is particularly striking in appearance. That kind of person that makes you say—”I want to BE them.” When you look at them you can imagine them having amazing job interviews and careers. Everyone does this, so don’t even try to pretend to me that you don’t.

Now pinpoint what it is about them that makes you say that. Is it how they dress? Their hair? If they’re a woman, are their nails done? Do they seem very fit? Is it how they carry themselves? Is it how they speak? What are those characteristics in them that you find most attractive and magnetic?

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Popularity: 9% [?]