Talking Points

A client pretty much blew my mind last night when, in the midst of our prep session for a big interview she has coming up, she said, cheerily (...and I'm paraphrasing...)," I just have to turn [the interviewer's] questions around, so the interview reflects my agenda and I stay in control." I was literally sputtering with amazement, not least since this particular client is not even 28. I have clients in their 50s who look at me as if I have two heads when I attempt to suggest that they can guide a job interview to highlight their strengths, instead of their weaknesses. Not going to lie, I almost got emotional when this client revealed that she at one with this
crucial point. Oh, they grow up so fast...

One tip I did share with her, and now with you, is that no matter how awesome you are before an interview, it never hurts to write out a list of talking points, and take that awesomeness to the next level. Especially for a phone interview, when you can't read the interviewer's body language and facial expressions, and a simple silence can (unfortunately) be misinterpreted as negative judgement, which can then throw your entire confidence off. And really, without confidence, forget it. You'll end up like Koko the gorilla, muttering, "Me...want...job...yes? Vote Romney?"  Don't do it. Write out your talking points, a day or two before the interview and have someone you trust, who supports you, go over these points with you. Have someone who knows you are smart enough to get the job, you just need a little TLC.

I'll tell you exactly how you figure out your talking points: place yourself in the mind of the interviewer. They're looking for intelligent, experienced, confident people, with related experience who can immediately benefit the company. Think about the skills and experience you have which are of (relevant) value to the company. Think about what you want the interviewer to know about you: your education, your commitment to your industry, your skills, your passion. I'm going to blow your mind (again), but if your boyfriend/girlfriend can't read your mind, your interviewer probably can't either, so if you don't articulate in a clear, concise and relevant way exactly what makes you a strong candidate...*crickets.* #whompwhomp If people don't know about your skills, they are going to assume you don't have them. So research the company you're applying for; research the person who will be conducting the interview: where did he or she go to school, what type of experience do they have, do you have any connections, etc. etc. The more you know, the more prepared you will be.

Because crucially, if you are having an interview, it's highly likely you have the job. People in business are busy. They're busy wasting time on Facebook...whoa, where'd that come from? I'm sorry, I meant, they're busy making money for their employers. So if you have an interview, it means people want to know what you are like. They want to know if you'd be a smart asset to their team, who will show up every day smiling and passionate about the product...or are you a bad Gothic novel in the making. So yes, you need to sell...but it's hard to sell, right, if your thoughts are disorganized and you're listening to silence on the other end of the phone and about 5 seconds from a Judy Garland-inspired cocktail of vodka, vodka, Seconal and okay twist my arm, a wee bit more vodka. On the other hand, if you've researched and written up and rehearsed your talking points, then you can be confident. Then it becomes not so much an interview, as a very interesting conversation. And then, the good guys win. (P.S.: That's you!)

Want some more specific hints on how to stay golden, Ponyboy? (#ohyesIdid!) Email me @ carlotazee@gmail.com, and become a fan of my Facebook page, "Carlotaworldwide Creativity Yenta."

I was going to blog about various creative ways for job-seekers to communicate their (professional) value to prospective employers...but honestly, people, oy, the news out of Newtown just has me heart-broken. I was sniveling while running at the gym this am and watching a broadcast on CBS' morning show about the "Elementary School Massacre," which seriously are three fucking words which should never EVER go together.

Thinking about people's professional value, of course made me think about the intrinsic value of being human, the unique universe inside all of us--I promise, I am not stoned, just emotional--which makes me think of those murdered children, those lives (and, of course, the equally valid adult lives) wasted, all that potential squandered...arrgh! It kind of makes me want to scream and beat my head against the wall and be all melodramatic. I mean, I'm trying to be perky for clients, but there's another part of me which wants to curl up under the covers with about 50 mini bottles of vodka, some cupcakes and be all Judy Garland (wink, wink) about the situation. Heart-breaking.

People are going to attempt to learn some lessons, pass some new laws, do whatever because of this tragedy...and I hope it does, in whatever way possible, force us to do better by our children and ourselves. (Because honestly: the alternative is too horrible to bear.) But the only "lesson" I can handle today is: USE YOUR POTENTIAL. Do what you love, what you're drawn to TODAY because tomorrow is not promised. Choose creativity, choose to invest in yourself, and your life and your dreams. If for no other reason, use your talents to honor those bright lives cut short: those children were our children, and their teachers were our teachers.

"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay." -Simone de Beauvoir

Also: tell your TEACHERS, family, friends, neighbors,cats, flings, Yentas, you LOVE them.Want to tell me something, and/or invite me over to watch "Futurama" and help you drink some or all of that 80 proof eggnog? You know you do... Email me @ carlotazee@gmail.com!

(Christmas is next week! I'm sure there's someone in your life who could use a session of coaching, maybe to help their stalled job search...or resolve some issues at the office...or get them started on making their dreams come to life. Buy a session through PayPal, by December 24, 2012, and I'll send them a special, personalized notification!...And, you're welcome.)

Since I've become serious about using my business Facebook page (just writing those three words makes me automatically feel like I'm a senior citizen...and then I start thinking about what a useful magazine AARP puts out... and then I get really cranky and need to go date some 25 year old boy and prove I am not an old person dammit...though increasingly, I do refer to it as "The Facebooks"...dammit!), I've had this tremendous uptick in business, learned a huge amount about marketing, reached out to oodles of new clients, been able to reach those clients in new and improved ways yadda yadda yadda.

Therefore, in light of all that I've learned from The Facebook, and how much time we--the general human and some feline-- population spend on it, I've been thinking:...if you're unemployed, or under-employed, or seeking to transition to a new industry, for example...why not create a Facebook page around that desire?

Now, I know for some people, especially those people who are 1) unemployed and 2) raised in a Judeo-Christian shame-based culture, the idea of putting out there in the world your status as an unemployed person, and letting everyone know...is kind of insanely depressing. It can make you want to start the day with a Judy Garland-inspired cocktail of straight vodka and Ambien. #good times.

 But how about you turn that frown upside down, Sunshine and realize that pretty much everyone has been unemployed, or underemployed or a fan of Judy at some point in their lives and that the more you own your status...the better your chances of putting you and all your unique talents in front of as many people as possible, which in turn dramatically increases the odds that someone, somewhere is going to notice your page, see who you are, see your skills and what you're looking for and think,"Oh, hey...I know someone who could hire this kid in a minute!" Whereas, the alternative route, of being drunk by 3pm in the afternoon, semi-nude and drooling on the sofa is unlikely to get you any legit job offers. Unlikely, but you are correct: not completely out of the question. Maybe things have loosened up at the State Department. #YOLO!

So, for example, let's say you decide to humor me and put up a page: first of all, you have to be as clear as possible with your (potential) audience as to: who you are; your skills, experience and education; what type of work you're looking for (do not make the audience guess since, after all, this is The Facebooks, and between guessing and going to look at pictures of kittehs...you will always lose. In fact, never ever make the audience guess as to what kind of job help you want since they won't guess. They just won't care.)...and some of your unique, personal flavor. All of that could be the nuts and bolts of  your "about" section of the page.

Then, your status updates could relate the types of job interviews you've had; networking you're doing; if you've written articles, or have a professional Twitter account, you could feature them and link them to the page. If you've been interviewed on TV, or other social media channels, I'd put that there. If you're engaged in resolving issues important your field, this is an excellent place to start discussions. If you're doing research, attending conferences, talking to other people in the field...put all of that on your page so people see that this is not merely a job for you, it is a passion.  If you're an attorney with an interest in immigration, for example, this type of page would be an excellent forum to discuss issues of law, give (qualified) advice, talk about related news, even post in other languages. That way, potential employers see how engaged you are in your field and get a strong idea of all you bring to the table. Not only are you telling, you're showing, which is much more important. And obviously, think of this page as the ultimate way to network: the more people who see it, the more people who know you need a job, which means the better your chances.

Say, for example, you're a cartoonist: this would be the perfect forum to regularly post your latest cartoons, so people can see your talent for themselves. If you're a writer, trying to get published, or an actor trying to get noticed, this is an excellent way to capture people's attention, create a platform...and by extension, create some leverage.You can put up videos and pictures of yourself and your work, etc. etc...

Whatever kind of work it is you're trying to get--from acting, to getting published, to finding your own small country to rule (#jealous)--the more you embrace your page, and put up relevant, unique, intelligent and interesting content...the more people you will engage in your page, therefore expanding your network, therefore expanding your skills and your leverage...therefore expanding your opportunities.

Don't believe a silly little The Facebook page can do all that? Email me @ carlotazee@gmail.com and I'll help you create it and then we'll see, my fine-feathered friend, we'll see!