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How to decide between 2 great job offers?

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In a recent post I wrote about how to cope when you don’t get offered a job that you want.  Now I’d like to explore the opposite situation.  What can you do when you’re in such high demand that you need to decide between two great job offers?

Even if it’s one of the good problems to have in life it’s good to be prepared.

Here are some points to help you compare:

  1. Forget the money:  To make sure that you’re choosing the right job for the right reasons, look beyond your pay-check.  Ask yourself: “If I did not work for money, which job would I choose?”  Which job is more in line with what’s important to you and what you’re drawn to?  The more in line your job is with those two things, the greater your chances are of staying motivated for longer and being better at your job.
  2.  Stretch your time line:  What do you find when you look beyond the role you’re being offered?  Are there areas within the company that interest you and that you could get involved further down the track?  In which company is there more room for growth?
  3. Launch pad: Which role offers you a more solid foundation for your career?  Look at what each company has to offer in terms of training and other professional development opportunities.  For example does either company have a mentoring program? 
  4. The green test:  Which company scores higher when it comes to contributing to the community and lessening their impact on the environment?  
  5. What are the minds like:  If you get a chance, meet your future team.  Do you sense that they are like-minded?  If it’s within your role to work with clients, how like-minded are they?
  6. The car trip test:  If you were to go on a road trip with one of your future bosses, which of the two would be the easiest to get along with on an 8 hour road trip?  With which one would you have the most fun?  Who would teach you the most?
  7. Push your limits:  Which role would challenge you the most?  I’d go for the one that stretches me the most.  After switching jobs 12 times in 10 years, I know that after 3 months you’ll start to feel at home.
  8. Role models:  Because you’re only as good as those you hang out with on a regular basis, make it a point to find out if there are people within either company who are worthy of imitation. 

Okay, now lets talk money.  But only after you’ve weighed up everything else. Otherwise you risk being blinded by money and missing out on all the other things a job can offer.  It has been my experience that the unquantifiable rewards of a job have benefited my career the most in the long-term.

I’d LOVE to hear what you think.

‘So what?!’ (How to cope when you don’t get a job offer)

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Lets face it, with the current state of affairs, the competition for good jobs has gone up more than a few notches.  Chances are there will be many more bright people out there looking for work.  To you that means that it’s possible that you’ll have to interview for several jobs before you land one.

But is getting rejected from a job the end of the world?  Being that throughout my work life I’ve been turned down from jobs (notice the plural) even after I’ve gone to several interviews, I personally don’t think so.

To begin with, nothing is the end of the world.

More than that, there’s opportunity in everything.  The key is knowing how to find it.

Here are a few of the things that have helped me say (and really mean) ‘So what?!’ whenever I’ve been rejected:

  1. Think silver lining:  Not getting a job offer might be a blessing in disguise because a better job might be waiting for you right around the corner.  I have the benefit of hindsight since that happened to me not so long ago.  After going to three interviews, including one with the company’s Managing Director, not only was I sure that I’d get an offer, but I really wanted this particular job.  It ticked all of my boxes, including that it was close to home and it paid 20% more than my current job.  I was very surprised when my recruiter called to say that someone more experienced got the job.  As I was licking my wounds, within the hour of getting turned down, I got offered an interview for a job which more than exceeded my expectations.  It included a 30% higher pay and a national management role.  After three interviews I did get an offer that I accepted.  And the fact is that had I been offered (and most probably accepted) the first job, my recruiter would not have thought of me when this second job came along.
  2. Un-spoil yourself:  I get it, life lessons do not pay the bills.  But learning to make lemonade when life gives you lemons is one of those skills that will help you cope with one of the realities of life.  Unlike what we may have lived under our parents’ roof, in life we do not always get what we want.  Learning to make the most of what we do get will definitely give us an edge over those who waste precious time whining whenever they don’t get what they want.  It’s not about being complacent, it’s about being real and un-spoiled!
  3. Bounce back:  In a changing world resiliency is winning trait.  The more times you get a chance to practice bouncing back, the better you’ll get at it and the less shaken you’ll be next time that things don’t go how you expected.
  4. Keep the lessons:  Be honest with yourself and ask yourself why you did not get a job offer.  What could you do better next time?  Review your cover letter and resume.  Or could you have packaged yourself better during the interviews?  Use the experience as an opportunity to learn a thing or two.  Those lessons are your to keep for life.  Very few successful people got to where they are today without falling a few times.  The key is they got up and learned from the fall.
I’d LOVE to hear how you bounce back from a rejection. Or if you haven’t…

I had breakfast with Carly Fiorina, Diana Sawyer…

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This morning I had breakfast with Carly Fiorina, the ex-CEO of Hewlett Packard, Ivanka Trump, yes Donald’s daughter, Dara Torres, the 40-year-young Olympian, of course Bobbi Brown, from the make-up empire was there too, and Gayle King was also among the bright and inspiring women who joined me as I ate a bowl of oatmeal.  Impressive right?

Well, guess what?  You too could have breakfast with them (for free – except BYO oatmeal) and lots of other super inspiring women – all worthy of imitation, all willing to share their journey to success with you and me.  Here’s how – click on this link and you’re there.

Aside from having access to podcasts of interviews of these women, at www.womenforhire.com you’ll find a wealth of free resources for your career. For the guys reading this, advice does not come dressed in pink on this site.  And unlike other sites where they offer teasers and then when I get to what I really want, they ask me to pay, this site does have free sound advice.  Finally someone who doesn’t use ‘tactics’ to get money from me.

(no, they are not paying me to say any of this)

Here are my favorite lessons from this morning’s breakfast meeting:

Just by listening to Carly Fiorina – who was named at 43 by Fortune Magazine as “The Most Powerful Woman in Business” – I learned that after her very public firing from HP, even that did not seem to her like the end of the world.  As traumatic and disappointing as the experience was, she was able to find a lesson – she now knows that she’s not afraid of anything. 

By listening to Diana Sawyer, one of Good Morning America’s anchor, I learned that I’m doing the right thing by waking up at 5am.  To all my friends who for years have asked me what do I at 5am, all I can say is there’s no doubt in my mind that the day belongs to those who are ready and able to seize it.

I loved hearing Joy Browne’s interview because like me, she’s worn lots and lots of hats throughout her career.  Trained as an engineer she got to work at the NASA space program, training astronauts.  And from there she’s worked in radio, written books, and worked in archaeology among other things.  Based on her experience she recognizes that every role she’s had is related simply because there are transferable skills.  To you that means that nothing that you do at work is entirely new.  In other words, as many times as you switch jobs, you’ll never ever be starting from scratch.  I’ve known this in my career as a job hopper but it’s always great to hear it from someone so accomplished. 

What I loved most about what Dara Torres, who at 40 years-young swam at the Beijing 08 Olympics, was that she was open and honest.  Among the great insight that she shared was that she did not know early on in her life that she was going to be a swimmer, let alone an Olympian.  She figured it out at an age that’s considered to be too late by elite athletes’ standards.  That tells me that if you still do not know what you’ll be doing for the rest your life, that you still have time to find out and even succeed.  She also says that being dedicated, organized and focused has had a lot to do with achieving the goals that she’s set for herself.  Hint, hint…

I hesitated to click on Ivanka Trump’s interview because I feared that I’d be listening to a silver-spoon-fed spoiled brat.  I was very surprised to hear that Ivanka, who has had all that she has wanted and then some, has really made a life for her self.  That tells me that regardless of how much we’re given, it is up to each of us to make a life for ourselves – to cast our own shadow.  The fact remains that we are each given a life to live – and it’s up to each of us to live it.  Ivanka could’ve very easily made a career out of embarrassing her self at her dad’s expense, but instead she chose the high road and is making a career for herself.  And guess what?  Before she went to work at her dad’s business, to learn the ropes, she was employed at another organization.  That’s a huge hint for anyone who wants to have their own business.  Donald Trump knows that a great way to prepare yourself for owning your business is to work within an another organization.  I wrote about this in an earlier post and it’s quite refreshing to see it put in practice by one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.

These are my top 5.  I’d love to hear what you learn from these remarkable women.  

Is your money where your mouth is?

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Here’s some food for thought.

A recent survey conducted by McKinsey & Company showed that 87% of 7,751 people around the world who were surveyed demanded that companies go green and focus on more than profits.  I didn’t find that surprising.  What I found jaw-dropping was that 33% of those same consumers said that they were either ready to buy green products or already did.  In other words, only one third were willing to put their money where their mouth is.1

What does this have to do with your career?

As concerned as I am about what companies people are supporting with their hard-earned cash, I’d like to turn the focus to what employees are doing with their careers.

Just like more and more of us demand companies to have a triple bottom-line that is focused on profits, social contribution and environmental impact, the question is what is the bottom line of our careers focused on?  Does your career have a triple bottom-line, focused on financial rewards, social contribution and caring for the environment?  Or are you working for money alone?  By working for money alone, as employees are we again not putting our money where our mouth is?

Here’s the deal.  As long as there are employees who are willing to work for money alone and consumers who are willing to base their purchases on price alone, there will always be companies who will be able to exist for profit-making alone.

To help tip the scale, here are my thoughts for the day:

1.  Work as if you count.  Anita Roddick said it best:  “If you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t been in bed with a mosquito.”

2.  Ask yourself:  “By going to work every day, what am I helping to move forward?  Is that in line with my values?”  If your answer is ‘no’ ask yourself: “What would be in line with what is important to me?”  For a list of assessments that will help you find out what you value, check out my post: I’m not so sure I’m self-assured.

3. Ask yourself:  “Through my work, am I creating the world that I want to live in?”  If your answer is ‘no’, then ask yourself: ”What would I like to work for?”  As a starting point, it does need to be to save the rainforest in Brazil or orangutans in Sumatra, it can be to simply stop supporting what you are right now.

Why Bother With a Day Job When You Want to Be an Entrepreneur?

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If you’re sitting there – fresh out of college or in the middle of a career transition – trying to figure out whether it’s better to get a job or start a business, I can assure you that you’re not alone.  In fact, in the past week I received emails from twentysomethings across the globe asking me what’s the right thing to do – that’s why I decided to write a post.

I grant you that the idea of not having a boss to report to, of working on your own terms and schedule, and of wearing whatever you please to the office (or only your boxer shorts) would tempt the best of us.  The question is, as an entrepreneur-in-the-making, would you be choosing immediate comfort over what you stand to learn from working within an organization – which in the long run could play to your advantage?

Based on my experience in the past decade of earning a living as both an entrepreneur and an employee, I believe that working as an employee can add to your entrepreneurial flare.  The key to maxing out on your time as an employee is to be deliberate and aware of what you stand to gain.

Here are some clues:

  1. Make mistakes on someone else’s tab. The sooner you accept that mistakes are part of your growth process, the sooner that you’ll stop wasting time dwelling on them and spend more time learning from them.  The catch is that mistakes can be very costly and it’s through dealing with mistakes that you get better at handling them.  As an employee you get a chance to sharpen your skills in handling mistakes.  Hopefully you’ll also get a few basic ones out of the way – while someone else is paying for them.  Which means that if you plan to one day have your own business, I suggest that you focus on learning from your mistakes so that you make them only once – on your employer’s tab and not on yours when you own your business. 
  2. Practice your skills.  Unlike learning to be a surgeon, in the business world there isn’t such a thing as live sheep for you to practice your skills.  In business, you’re either doing real deals, or you’re not.  Working as an employee is the closest that you’ll come to practicing your skills on live matter without risking your own money.
  3. FREE training.  As a firm believer that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, I still believe that one of the perks of working as an employee is the access to training that you get.  For that reason, if you’re drawn to entrepreneurship, I suggest that you make sure that you choose to work with a company that offers their staff top-shelf training.  And even if you’re not drawn to sales, I suggest that you get some formal training.  The bottom line is that sales is what makes up the bottom-line of any business.  Your ability to contribute to it is what in large part will drive the success of your future venture.
  4. Learn tried & tested systems.  If your employer knows what they’re doing, they’ll have sound systems and processes in place.  From the templates that the HR department uses, to sales tracking systems, to customer service scripts, you’ll find that great businesses have a framework that allows them to follow well-designed processes.  Because a systematic approach is key to delivering consistently without having to waste resources re-inventing the wheel, I suggest that you take a close look at your employer’s framework. Take the opportunity to learn – one day your own business will benefit from having systems in place.
  5. Expand your network.  Not that I don’t think that your college buddies are smart or competent and would make for great business partners.  But I also believe that a diverse team, with multiple points of view and levels of experience is great for business.  And what a better way to find a business partner than through working with someone and finding out if they bring out the best in you – or the worst?
  6. Establish relationships with suppliers.  Similar to meeting colleagues who could be good business partners, working within an organization is a great opportunity to kick the tires of suppliers.  I’ve made it a habit to stay in touch with the ones who deliver high quality in a timely manner (with a smile) and at competitive prices.
  7. Try before you buy.  As an employee, getting regular income, you have less financial pressure.  That’s why you can expose yourself to a few industries and roles before locking yourself into a business or industry.  Trying several roles is a great way to learn more about what you enjoy, what’s important to you and what you’re great at – before you risk your own capital in a venture.
  8. Get ideas.  I’m not advocating that you snatch ideas from your employer, but I do suggest that you keep your eyes open.  It’s quite common for employees to spot something their employer needs, be it a service or a product, and then turn around and make them their first client.  Be open to possibilities, I say.
  9. Learn some tricks.  As someone in your twenties, the likelihood is that in your first few jobs you’ll be among the youngest one in the team.  Although I do not believe in idealizing people or in giving credit based on seniority, I do believe that as a rookie, you stand to learn from those who have been around the block a few times.  I’ve personally found that whenever I’ve shown respect to my older colleagues, that they have been forthcoming with their tricks of the trade.  It’s then been a matter of keeping what works and ignoring the rest – respectfully please!
  10. Learn what NOT to do.  Just as an employer does things right – after all they are making enough money to pay your salary – they also have room for improvement.  Learn from their weakest links.  But do me a favor – do not dwell on their mistakes. There’s nothing more short-sighted than an employee who focuses on what their employer does wrong.  Learn as much as you possibly can from your employer – the good and the bad.
  11. Save, save, save.  An almost guaranteed paycheck is one of the perks about working as an employee.  The trick then is to keep your eye on the ball and save as much of your salary as you possibly can.  Granted, wearing designer clothes and owning the latest model toys is a lot of fun, but neither one grows your seed capital for a future business.

I’m not trying to be a party pooper by suggesting that you go about being an employee in a deliberate way.  Rather, I believe in making the party work for you (and me) and not the other way around.

Find a recruiter for life

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I did a short stint at a recruitment agency.  It was long enough to see the underbelly of the industry.  While what I saw was not pretty, I’m now thankful that since then I found a very professional recruiter to work with.  For the past 4 years I’ve stayed loyal to a recruiter who has landed me two great jobs in a row.  In fact, they have all been bigger and better than my previous ones.  Okay, so I kissed a few frogs before I found my prince(ss) – but my search certainly paid off.  I can now say that there are some great professionals out there.

What does my prince(ss) have that all those frogs didn’t:

1. She shows respect for me:  On our first meeting, it was clear to me that she took time to get to know about my career path.  From her comments, I knew that she had gone through my resume with a fine-tooth comb.

2. She gets me:  At our first meeting she asked me well-thought questions about my career and life in general.  To close our meeting she did a great job at summarizing my checkered career path and pointed out aspects of my personality that were quite insightful. 

3. She keeps her word:  At our first meeting she proposed a series of next steps.  Shortly after, she followed through on each one of her commitments.

4. She shows integrity:  Although shortly after we started to work together, she asked me for a 30-day exclusivity, she never asked me to sign a contract.  She trusted my word.  In return, I felt compelled to trust hers.

5.  She keeps me in the loop:  Since day one, whenever she makes contact with a potential employer, almost immediately I receive a phone call to let me know how it went and what are the next steps.  When she’s not meeting with my potential employers, she also keeps me up to date about her search and potential opportunities that may be coming her way.

6. She involves me in the job search:  She encourages my feedback about the roles that she sends my way.  As she often reminds me, she wants to know if these opportunities are on track with my expectations.

7. She has my best interests in mind:  She isn’t manipulative and has never forced me to go to an interview I’m not 100% sure about.  The same has applied to every position I’ve accepted.  She gives me space and time to make up my own mind.

8. She’s well-networked and specialized:  Being that she’s worked in the healthcare industry in Australia for more than a decade, she’s known by the key players.  As an owner-operator of her boutique agency, she personally takes care of these relationships.

9.  She thinks laterally:  Time after time, she identifies opportunities that most recruiters would not think to connect with my career path.

10.  She’s supportive:  Using her back-ground in coaching, she’s able to help me resolve doubts I might have before an interview.  Usually she also gives me clues as to what the employer is looking for.  I’m well aware that she gets commission if I get the job, but to me it feels that she’s going the extra mile to make sure that I feel prepared at my interviews.

Maybe your prince is right around the corner.  When you find them, I suggest that you hold on to them.

Getting out of the (procrastination) rut

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It’s gotta be exam time in Australia because in the past few weeks I’ve received several emails from my Gen Y readers asking me if I have the cure for procrastination.

After my jaw dropped when I found that in Google there are 4,890,000 entries for procrastination, I decided to share with you what I’ve learned to do through the years to get myself out of the procrastination rut.

(I’m still wondering how often all those sites dedicated to procrastination get updated…)

Plan A: Schedule tasks I dread for first thing in the morning, between 8-11 am.  I find that tackling something I’ve been dreading first thing sets a really nice tone to my day.  Try it tomorrow morning.

If for some reason plan A doesn’t work, I bring out the big guns.

Plan B: I fill the task with meaning by following this simple visualization:

1. I close my eyes and start taking deep breaths. Then,

2. I ask myself: “Why do I want to accomplish this task?”  In other words, what will it mean to me when I’ve finished my board paper, expense report, promotional letter, or whatever it is that needs to get done. Then,

3. I try to imagine how will I feel when that paper, report or letter is done.  I try to add as many colors and emotions to my picture.

4. Slowly I open my eyes.

I usually find that doing this psyches me up and pulls me out of the rut and into action.

If plan B doesn’t do the trick, I do what a Buddhist monk taught me – I surrender and remind myself that everything is impermanent.  That surely doesn’t get the job done, but at least it makes me feel better about procrastinating. (Please don’t try this one at home…)

Roll up your sleeves

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Of the 1.3 million US college graduates in 2007, more than 50% became professional sales  people.1  That same year the total number of graduates from US med schools was 16,000.2

I can see how some might find this statistic shocking.  Particularly those who feel that sales is beneath them.

Make no mistake, even though most sales people do not save lives or rainforests, sales is what makes the world go ‘round.  That’s the bottom line.

Too many times I have seen entrepreneurs fail because they were ‘too good’ to roll up their sleeves and go sell their wares.  Too many times I have seen glossy business plans shrivel up simply because those who master-minded the idea refused to hit the road (and the phone) to look for customers.

As a serial entrepreneur I’ve learned first hand how important selling is to any business venture.  Even after years of specializing in business development, sometimes I feel stuck and find it hard to get motivated.

It’s because of the following principles that I’ve been able to roll up my sleeves, without feeling that I’m compromising my professional integrity – or that I’m crossing over to the dark side.

To celebrate Diwali3, let me enlighten you:

Golden rule:  Forget closing techniques.  When you ask for the business, you’re OPENING a relationship, not CLOSING a sale.  Some might find this to be a simple play on words.  In my experience this approach is what has made a world of difference to my track record.  It’s like dating.  If you’re attracted to someone and want to move beyond a friendship, you either hope and pray that you get kissed or you ask for a kiss.  If there’s consent, a kiss doesn’t close anything.  A kiss is what moves the relationship to the next level.  It’s the same in business.  A sale is what advances the relationship.

Know your product:  It’s possible that you got the job in large part thanks to your charm and even your good looks, but without product knowledge neither will get you the sale!

Know your client:  From the get go, get into your customer’s shoes.  Tell them what’s in it for them if they buy from you.  Focus on their needs and how dealing with you will be a different experience to dealing with all the other sales people (the other 649,999).

Supermarket test:  This one is particularly important if you’re employed within an organization.  Treat customers like you’re 100% sure that you’ll bump into them at the supermarket while you’re with your family – and can’t hide behind a company logo.

Build trust:  Trust takes time to build.  Start by keeping your word.  Do not over promise to get the sale.  You’ll be risking the long-term relationship.  Always remember that clients who trust you will refer you to others. 

Guard your reputation:  Whether you’re selling widgets, crunching numbers behind a desk or teaching yoga, your professional reputation is always on the line – not only your employer’s.  Particularly in sales the messenger (i.e. you) will be shot.  If you’re known for your integrity, the likelihood is that your clients will follow you wherever you go.  Show integrity by making claims that you can back up with sound data.  Data that you believe in.  Be transparent – like you, prospects aren’t idiots.

Question prospects’ current buying habits:  It’s not rude to ask someone why they are currently buying what they are.  It’s actually in their best interest to review their buying habits.  Ask them respectfully. 

 

References:

1. Thanks Huthwaite

2. Thanks AAMC

3. Diwali: “…the Hindu festival of lights…extends over five days.  (It) celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance…” (thanks BBC)

Job hopping 101

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Because I’m still reading through the hate mail that I received after posting Are You Getting the Itch to Switch (jobs) on brazencareerist’s blog: http://www.brazencareerist.com/2008/09/08/are-you-getting-the-itch-to-switch-jobs I thought it would be a good idea to set the record straight about my philosophy about job hopping.

Lets start by defining what it isn’t.

Job hopping is not a sport. It’s certainly not about running away from something. Neither is it a way to feel redeemed by getting back at your boss or the HR department. Make no mistake, if it’s not done strategically, job hopping might as well be called career suicide.

In order for job hopping to lead you to success in your career, you must be strategic and follow a few ground rules.

These are my top 10:

Rule #1: Be a career owner. Take charge and run your career like a business venture. Have a long-term plan. At the very least know what you want to achieve during the next 5 years. Map out how you’ll get there. That way when you switch, you’re not running away, you’re going towards something.

Rule # 2: Package yourself on your resume. Ditch the features. Focus on the benefits that your past experiences will bring to your future employer. Your potential future boss does not care about how many clients you cold-called. She wants to know that because you’re not afraid of cold-calling you have the potential of opening new accounts. Back up your claims with past accomplishments.

Rule #3: Package yourself during the interview. Okay, so I’ve had 4 jobs in the past 5 years and I owned and ran a business in between. To show my future bosses what that means to their bottom line, other than quite possibly that I will not be around for more than 18 months – I use the following illustration:

+ + + + + = $$$ for you

To do this, I pull out a piece of blank paper and a pen and draw this same picture as I talk about what I learned from each experience. I focus on the transferable skills that I bring to the table that will impact their bottom line. For example, when I mention that I’ve had my own business, I explain that I can work under minimal supervision and get things done. I do not leave it up to them to answer: “What’s in it for me?”

Rule #4: Partner with a recruiter. I’ve worked in recruitment so I know how nasty recruiters can get – especially when they’re desperate to fill a role (i.e. to get commission). But I have also found some very professional ones out there. In fact, much of my success in hopping around I owe to one particular recruiter who since day one got me. It was more than chemistry. She took time to read my resume and ask me insightful questions. Not only did I feel respected, I also felt that because she took time to understand me, that she would be able to place me well. Twice in a row she has placed me in jobs that have been bigger and better than my previous ones. I suggest that you take the time to look for a recruiter who you feel comfortable with and you can trust. When you do, keep them around. I had to kiss a few frogs before I found mine.

Rule # 5: Network. I don’t believe in being Machiavellian about relationships. It’s those people who I genuinely connect with who have helped me the most during my career. So there’s little point to go around collecting acquaintances. For your network to really support your success, it must be made up of people you like and respect. Your recruiter is one of them.

Rule #6: Prepare for the sales presentation. Make no mistake, you are selling yourself at an interview. For that very reason, I treat every interview in the same way that I treat a sales presentation to a client. The difference is that at an interview I’m the product and the salesperson. I make sure that I know my product (i.e. my resume) and also my presentation. These days there are no secret questions at an interview. You’ll find lists and lists of interview questions online. Here’s a list I found to be quite insightful since it gives advice to interviewers on how to get the best (and worst) out of candidates: www.bnet.com/2403-13056_23-52952.html

Rule #7: Ask for the job. Please do not get so close to the job and yet be so far away simply because you do not ask for it. I admit that it can feel awkward to say to the interviewer: “I like what I know about the company, and what I learned today about the role and the team. And I really want this job. What will it take for me to get it?” But being that I’ve sat on the other side of the table, I know that candidates who do not ask me for the job come across as people without a back-bone. As a future boss, I want the person who will do whatever it takes to get the job done – even if it means putting up with a few seconds of awkwardness.

Rule #8: Learn to negotiate your salary. In an earlier post I wrote about negotiating the empowered way (http://silvanaavinami.com/?p=28). The main thing to keep in mind when you’re negotiating your salary is that a negotiation is the beginning of your relationship with your future employer/boss, not the end. To set a positive tone, aim for an outcome that’s mutually beneficial. For the relationship to last, you must feel that you came out getting what you need. By the same token, do not expect your future boss to give you more if that will land them in the loosing position. Expect them to pay you in line with your contributions – not the smick life-style you want to lead. By focusing on the value that you’ll add to the company, quite possibly you’ll find that you’ll be able to afford all those toys that you want.

Rule #9: Exit in style. I covered this in an earlier post (http://silvanaavinami.com/?p=161). In short, aim to preserve the relationship that you worked so hard to build with your soon-to-be ex-employer. Very few people know you as well as they do. Like I have, some day you’ll find that they will be great allies as you sail across the big blue ocean of possibilities.

Rule #10: Become a learning machine. To successfully switch jobs, let alone careers and industries means that you’ll have to climb some steep learning curves. And tackling all the information that comes your way can at times feel like trying to survive an avalanche. The key is to find out very early on in your career what steps you go through to learn new information as well as under what conditions you learn best. Once you know this, you’re less likely to panic if by month 2 in a new job you still feel clueless. For example, I know that after month 3 things start to gel in my brain. After month 6 I’ll start to see the light. So I no longer panic. I simply make it a point to sleep 8 hours a night for the first ew months so that my brain survives the over-stimulation.

Why having a foreign accent is fabulous for business

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Being that my first language is Spanish and that I’ve developed my career in the English-speaking world, at work meetings and functions, more often than not, I get asked about my foreign accent.  Quite frankly, the ‘..and where are you from?’ line (or similar version) got old about 10 years ago.  To stop myself from getting annoyed, I’ve found a way to amuse myself.  Before answering I ask people to take a guess.  I’ve heard all kinds of things.  Among my favorite responses are: Philadelphia (go figure, I only stopped in Bethlehem during the storm of ‘93), Quebec, and some have even placed me in Chekoslovakia (close guess, three of my grandparents are Eastern European).  I know that I sound like all of South Florida, just like JLo and on a bad day like Ricky Ricardo.

Although I now take this lightly, earlier in my career I was convinced that my foreign accent made me sound unprofessional and in general played against me in the world of work.  With that on my mind, whenever I spoke, I made an effort to sound ‘American’.  Forget that I must of sounded robotic and rehearsed.  All the mental energy that I was dedicating to juggling between my accent, the content and the structure, would’ve been much better spent on what I was saying.  Needles to say, I usually felt exhausted after meetings, phone calls and presentations.

Determined to get rid of this nagging feeling, I decided to look for proof to dispute the little voice inside my head.  If only someone would’ve pulled me aside earlier to tell me all the reasons why having an accent is great for business. 

Native-speakers and ESLs, let me enlighten you:

1. Think Kofi Annan, Carlos Ghosn, Golda Meir and Roberto Goizueta.  It’s clear that their accents did not get in the way of their success.  If anything they all sound(ed) memorable and distinguished.  So it follows that

2. Being unique is a strength especially when we’re all wearing blue suits.

3. By growing up in a different part of the world than most people in the room, by default you bring a new and different point of view.  Buzz words aside, diversity does add value in the world of work.

4. If like me, you had to complete the entire series of Warriner’s Grammar and Composition to graduate from high school, it’s likely that your grammar is above average.

5. Breaking the ice by speaking about your nationality and foreign countries in general is far more interesting than talking about the weather.

Do me a favor and give yourself a break.  Keep your accent.  Instead focus on backing your recommendations with solid data and try to use correct grammar.