Liz Alterman's Blog, page 3
February 18, 2022
Hello from Your Unemployment Poster Girl
It's that time again, friends.Where are all my irony-lovers? Step right up. Have I got a story for you! A few weeks ago, I wrote a piece for The Muse titled I Have Layoff Anxiety. Here’s How I’m Learning to Cope.
The idea for this story came to me in September when my then-manager sent me an instant message asking, "Hey Liz, got a sec to talk?" leaving me with a sweaty-palmed certainty that my relatively-new gig had come to an abrupt end. After being let go twice, the feeling that you could be dismissed at any moment lingers, making you suspect that every impromptu meeting may be your last.
But it turned out he wasn't terminating me. Instead, he said he and I were moving to a new global team. Knowing that restructuring is often the kiss of death, I took a deep breath and bluffed my way through a chorus of "Wow, that sounds exciting!"
As this group formed, one teammate immediately quit because his new position was quite far afield from what he'd been hired to do. My former boss, surmising that this was going to end up like a bad middle school science project, promptly took a leave of absence. (Spoiler alert, he returned two months later, spent an hour in a meeting, and quickly resigned, noting that this new position was one he would "never want nor aspire to"—a sentiment I shared but tried to ignore.)
As I plodded along trying to understand how I could use my skills in this new role, I couldn't help wondering just how long I'd last. With it weighing on me, I thought writing a piece about layoff anxiety and interviewing career coaches and mental health experts could quell that constant sense of unease and possibly help someone else afflicted with the same bad feelings.
After writing the piece, I felt like I was slowly tuning out that voice in the back of my head that screamed, "Get your teeth cleaned now while you still have dental insurance!"
But as weeks slid into months filled with three-hour meetings in which people debated the merits of one adjective versus another and very little was accomplished, I wondered what I was doing there. After years of freelancing, I was spoiled from taking an assignment and completing it without twenty people weighing in on what images they conjure when they hear the word "sustainable."
Side note: Shortly after I started this job, a friend and former colleague also changed careers—switching from regional news to the communications department at a large pharmaceutical company. We texted to compare notes, both of us confused by the number of lengthy, pointless meetings and processes. To illustrate her point, she sent a screenshot of her meeting calendar. "See that virtual baby shower in the middle? That one was the most productive."
To say my new position wasn't a good fit would be an understatement. I wasn't really writing so much as I was cobbling together canned responses and sprinkling in commas. Guidance was murky at best and I spent most days feeling lost and unproductive. When friends would ask how my job was going, I'd often say each day was like walking into a foreign film in the middle and being expected to explain the plot. To put things in perspective, even my cat had stopped attending the daily video calls.
So when I received an invitation to a meeting with my new manager that arrived without an agenda or any other information, I knew my layoff anxiety had been well-founded. I was let go in a mercifully-brief call that came as a relief rather than a shock.
One of the more difficult aspects of this job loss (aside from losing the paycheck and healthcare coverage) was turning in my company iPhone, with its fancy camera that allowed me to capture what I consider the best photo I've ever taken. Behold:
Boots in repose(Please think of me for all your pet portrait needs.)
When I told friends and family about my latest layoff, most said a variation on "Good! You were miserable there!" and that was true.
A teammate who recently applied to get the hell out of our group for a transfer to another department once described his work week this way, "It's a bit of a ballache." (Put that on your company swag hoodie!) And that really captures it.
For those keeping score at home, my husband and I have racked up three layoffs a piece since 2013. Here's hoping we stay tied and he doesn't best me in the weeks ahead as having one income is always better than none.
While it does, of course, sting to be told your skills are no longer valued, I'd been planning to leave in June to promote the domestic suspense novel I sold last summer and, hopefully, start a new project. So I'm regarding this as a bit of a head-start.
Think you know your neighbors? Think again.Shameless plug: Pre-orders are a huge help to both booksellers and writers. If you're looking for a twisty summer read, I'd be beyond grateful if you considered ordering a copy.
Or, if you'd like to hear more about our past layoffs, my memoir Sad Sacked is available at Audible.com, which is offering a 3-month free trial (through Feb. 21). So go ahead, give it a listen, and see if you agree with the reviewer who said I "lack comedic timing."
As always, thanks for reading and I wish you the best!
February 17, 2022
The Perfect Neighborhood Giveaway Through March 6
Hope you’re well and enjoying a great book! I have some exciting news! My publisher, Crooked Lane, is giving away five print copies of my novel, The Perfect Neighborhood. Enter to win one by following this link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
The giveaway ends March 6. Please feel free to share this with anyone looking for a twisty tale.
Best of luck and thanks again for your support!
XO
Liz
January 26, 2022
14 (FREE) Online College Courses That'll Enhance Your Career Skills
Photo by Chris Montgomery on UnsplashI'm a sucker for a free online course. In fact, during the past two years, I've signed up for dozens. Just this week, I took author Marion Roach Smith's 5 Ways to Become a More Productive Writer webinar. Last week, I watched marketing and publishing experts talk about ways to engage with readers and market books.
One thing I really love about most of the classes is that if you can't attend in real time, the hosts will send you a replay link. So, often I end up watching while I eat lunch or make dinner. (Yes, I am dividing my chilly winter days by meal times now, as in, "It's 90 minutes 'til my afternoon coffee break.")
If you're looking to expand your skill set, I hope these free courses help!
University of California, Davis
Introduction to Search Engine Optimization – This class is the first of an SEO specialization series and introduces you to search engine optimization. You’ll learn how the Google search engine works and why SEO best practices are always shifting. Students will also learn SEO tips and tricks to help drive more organic search results and avoid Google penalties.
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Marketing – Learn about three fundamental marketing principles and how to effectively use them in your marketing strategy. You’ll learn about branding, which helps keep loyal customers loyal; customer centricity, which is not the same as customer service; and go-to-market strategies, which help you understand what influences customers.
Duke University
English Composition 1 – You will learn how to read and write at the college level in this free online college class. This includes understanding the writing process, citing sources, analyzing text, writing effective arguments, and how the writing process works.
Stanford University
Writing in the Sciences – This class is geared toward scientists who want to be more effective writers. Using practical examples and exercises, you’ll learn the principles of good writing, how to write faster, the peer review process, grant writing, and more.
Harvard University
Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking – In this introductory course, you’ll learn the theory and practice of rhetoric, also known as persuasive speaking and writing. You’ll learn how to construct and defend compelling arguments and how to recognize when someone is trying to persuade you.
University of California, Berkeley
How to Write an Essay – Over the course of this introductory level online college class, you’ll learn the basics of writing college-level essays. By the end of the course, you’ll know how to write effective sentences and paragraphs, as well as introductions and conclusions.
University of California, Irvine
Grammar and Punctuation – This class is the first of a series of grammar classes and is a refresher course. You’ll learn how to identify the correct verb tense, how to use commas effectively, and many more grammar tips you may have forgotten since high school!
University of Virginia
Managerial Accounting Fundamentals – Learn the fundamentals of managerial accounting and how to use financial information to make decisions. You’ll discover how to describe different types of costs, conduct cost-volume-profit analysis, and understand how to determine what information to use in your decisions and which to discard.
Financial Accounting Fundamentals – This free online college class walks students through the three most commonly used financial statements: balance sheets, income statements, and statement of cash flows. In addition to understanding how to properly fill them in, you’ll learn how the three documents work together and how to analyze the information on them.
Marketing Analytics – Take your marketing to the next level through the use of analytics. This class introduces you to the different types of marketing analytics and how to interpret data. Once you can interpret the data, you’ll be able to make data-driven decisions to drive your marketing plan.
University of Illinois
Auditing 1: Conceptual Foundations of Auditing – This introductory class focuses on the beginning concepts of auditing. You will learn about an auditor’s professional responsibilities and the main parts of the audit process.
West Virginia University
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination – Students in this free online college class will learn about business fraud—specifically, who commits fraudulent acts, and why and how they do it. But, more importantly, you’ll also learn the techniques to help you catch them.
University of Michigan
Accounting for Decision Making – This class focuses on understanding and interpreting two key financial statements: balance sheets and income statements. You’ll not only learn about the “big picture” of these statements, but also the individual components of each to help guide your overall decision-making process.
Writing and Editing: Word Choice and Word Order – Learn how language can influence people and their decisions. You’ll learn how to take complex information and present it in a reader-friendly way. Students will also learn creative ways to construct sentences, tell compelling stories, and the best way to organize their writing.
January 8, 2022
Tips for Landing a New Job in 2022 (& Freelance Opportunities)
Photo by Eric Prouzet on UnsplashHappy (belated) new year! I'm usually not one to make resolutions but this year, reader, I must. No matter how tempting, 2022 is the year I refuse to duped by the sweater ads that flood my Instagram feed. You know the ones that make you do a double-take and whisper, "Cashmere for $12.99? Why not?" Or, as my hero Ina Garten likes to say, "How bad can it be?" Answer: Bad. Really, really bad.
Here's a recent ad that caught my eye and then caused me to waste precious time battling the merchant (Karladress—never heard of them? My advice: Keep it that way) and pleading my case to PayPal to get a refund, which I did because:
The ad:
Karladress The reality:
For many, the new year is the perfect time to rethink your career. With that in mind, Bradford Goodwin, Chief Content Strategist at job board Lensa shared his top tips for job seekers in 2022:
Decide your location: Remote or in the office
“With the pandemic still ongoing, more remote roles are available than ever before. For 2022, many candidates will have to choose their preference; fully remote, office-based, or a hybrid of the two. Introverts may find working fully remotely suits them best. For those who enjoy face-to-face time but not the commute, a hybrid job is the best of both worlds. If you struggle with self-motivation, being in an office environment could be beneficial for you. Of course, these qualities aren’t exhaustive, so you’re best making a list of pros and cons.”
“When job seeking, you’ll need to take into account how the potential employer treats remote workers. Do you have access to all the equipment you need to work productively from home? Are there regular virtual socials and opportunities to chat outside of work? You’ll also want to know how the company measures performance. If some workers are hybrid and others fully remote, you want to ensure everyone has access to the same career advancement opportunities.”
Revamp your resume
“Even in 2022, a well-crafted, customized resume is the best way to stand out. You should always keep it fresh and relevant to the job you’re applying for. Emphasize any technical skills you have that are important for the role, as well as soft skills. You can also supplement your resume with other materials, such as a video or portfolio to showcase your skills.”
Other quick ways to freshen up your resume include:
Cut out the boilerplate - “I am a hard-working individual who wants to work in X industry” - takes up valuable real estate in your resume and says nothing about you.
Unless you’re a recent graduate, move your education below your employment experience.
Go over any acronyms and write out the full title - this will help applicant tracking systems pick it up.
Swap out generic, overused adjectives like “detail-oriented” for more specific language that has your authentic voice.
Make your resume skimmable by breaking it into sections.
Network“The pandemic has undoubtedly made networking more difficult, but if you’re serious about seeking out new opportunities, it is such a valuable way to spend your time. First, do an audit to identify gaps in your network. Write down who you’re in touch with, and uncover how long it has been since you spoke to them. Make an effort to reach out to 3-5 people and offer support, and you’ll be rewarded.”
“Remember, when networking, no one wants to listen to your life story. So, prepare your elevator pitch - a succinct few words about what you do and the value. But, don’t over-rehearse it. Any networking should always be like a normal conversation!”
“At a networking event or online, focus on quality over quantity. Aim to have five good conversations - you don’t have to ‘work the room’ for it to be successful. Finally, remember that networking is all about relationships, not introductions! Send a Linkedin request and make sure to invest in staying connected after the initial meeting.”
Make your job search more efficient
“A great first step when searching for a new job online is to make a list of all the keywords relevant to your field: skills, certifications and tools. This will save time by filtering out anything that isn’t relevant to you. If there is a specific company that you are really interested in working for, reach out to the hiring manager, or dig into your network to see if you have any connections in common. Finally, know where to search. Whilst some boards have a gazillion job listings, you’ll want to look somewhere where your search can be tailored to suit you.”
Ready to put that advice to the test? I received an email this week from Darlene Liebman, founder of Creative Humans, who asked that I share these opportunities:
A fast growing Bicoastal agency who is looking to staff up an exciting new project with some new long term freelancers. One of their new clients is a new large streaming platform and they need some new smart help with help bringing to market.
The client is a cool agency, with clients such as: Netflix, NBC, Warner Media, Talkspace, Mirror, Sesame Workshop, Viacom.All the positions start ASAP; Roles are for 6 month (with the possibility of FT)Location: NYC Based, but remote work is accepted
Freelance Project Managers
Freelance Senior Producers
Freelance Creative Producers
Freelance Senior Copywriters
Freelance Designer / Animators
Any one interested in any of these roles should email a resume to darlene@creativehumans.com.
Wishing you all the best in 2022!
December 9, 2021
5 Ways to Stay Motivated During a Long (& Grueling) Job Search
When it comes to things that are exhausting, I put job searching right up there with cleaning out the basement and arguing with toddlers. It can feel like you're trying really, really hard, and still getting absolutely nowhere.
Looking for a new job—especially during the holiday season—may seem particularly unpleasant, and there's a lot of conflicting information about whether it's worth the effort when HR specialists and hiring managers are busy finalizing year-end reports and organizing virtual Secret Santas.
Some say don't bother sending out your resume in December, no one is hiring. Others argue that departments have use-it-or-lose-it money left in annual budgets and quotas to fill, so go for it.
My husband, who was laid off three times within a seven-year period, is no stranger to job hunting. Interestingly, he was offered two of his last three full-time positions (including the one he's currently in) between Thanksgiving and New Year's. So we're firm believers in the notion that there's never a wrong time to look for a new role.
With that said, if you've been at it a while and feel like you're beating your head against a wall, I get it. Staying motivated as rejections roll in, applications go ignored, and recruiters ghost you is never easy. It can make you want to give up entirely.
TopResume’s career expert Amanda Augustine offers five ways to get your "job-seeking mojo" back—whether you’re looking for a new department, a new company, or even a new industry.
1. Set weekly goals
Every aspect of job searching can seem like a full-time job in itself. From creating eye-catching resumes and compelling cover letters to updating your LinkedIn profile and networking with former colleagues (and random strangers your mom sends your way because she met them on a Kohl's checkout line and they seemed "nice"), the whole process may make you want to curl up with a plate of whichever appetizers you find in the recesses of your freezer and contemplate just going off the grid for the next decade or two.
Rather than give up, Augustine recommends creating a plan that breaks down your search into smaller goals you can work toward on a weekly basis.
When you simplify your job-search strategy and focus on completing more manageable tasks, you’re less likely to become overwhelmed by the process, she notes.
2. Shake things up
If you've spent the last few weeks (or months) scrolling through Indeed or LinkedIn, looking at the same postings and watching the number of applicants climb higher than the Dow Jones Industrial Average, you may find yourself muttering, "F*&! this!"
Augustine suggests it may be time to try some new tactics. For example, check out apps like Clubhouse or Upstream or sites like 10times to attend in-person or virtual events and meet new people in your field.
Or, look into skill-based volunteering opportunities with Catchafire to boost your resume, sharpen your skills, and expand your professional network.
3. Join forces
The job hunt can be a lonely, isolating journey, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider partnering with a fellow job seeker who's targeting work in a similar field, Augustine suggests.
Set up weekly check-ins and share resources to keep your job search on track, and each other motivated. By combining your efforts and assets, your search is sure to get the boost it needs, Augustine says.
If nothing else, at least you can commiserate with someone who knows exactly what you're facing.
4. Celebrate small victories
Don’t wait until you’ve signed an offer letter to celebrate your wins. Instead, treat yourself for achieving various milestones throughout your job-search journey, such as optimizing your resume for the applicant tracking systems (ATS), applying for a certain number of jobs in a given week, or setting up an interview with a valuable contact.
These rewards don’t have to be big or expensive. Augustine says. Consider something as simple as indulging in a decadent dessert, treating yourself to a round of golf, or grabbing a celebratory drink with a good friend.
I'd like to recommend Whole Foods apple fritters—$4.99 for four. (Just try not to consume them all within a 24-hour window like I do.)
5. Embrace positivity
A taxing job search can sometimes lead to negative, self-sabotaging thoughts, notes Augustine.
"Keep the negativity at bay by reminding yourself of your true value with affirmations like 'I’m the same smart and capable professional I was before this job search began' or 'I know everything will work out for me.' Regularly repeating positive affirmations like these can reduce your stress levels and improve your health," Augustine suggests.
This definitely seems more beneficial than listening to that nagging voice I often heard whispering in the back of my head, repeating, "I'm a loser. I'll never work again!"
If you're job hunting, I wish you all the best. If you're interested in hearing more about the grueling odyssey my husband and I embarked upon when we lost our jobs simultaneously, consider giving my memoir Sad Sacked a listen. Thank you to everyone who has already downloaded it and reviewed it! (Except the person who wrote, "Sorry I listened to the end.")
Until next time, happy holidays!
November 10, 2021
Sad Sacked: A Memoir
In 2013, I received a phone call that temporarily derailed my life. It was days before Thanksgiving, and prior to this my biggest concerns were things like: "Is brining my bird really worth it?" and "Do I have enough matching wine glasses?" 
So when my husband called to tell me he’d been laid off, I was in shock. He’d been with that company for 18 years. What made matters worse was that my job was also in jeopardy. Six weeks later, I was let go too.
In a short span of time, we went from a two-income household to a no-income household with three kids and a mortgage. As weeks bled into months, we sent out resumes but heard nothing. I felt embarrassed whenever I saw friends and family who knew we were both out of work. I was certain people must’ve thought we were either incredibly lazy or there was something seriously wrong with us.
How could I cope?
I started this blog. To be honest, I didn’t really expect anyone to read it, but I felt like it was important to document that strange and surreal period. And rather than make it as sad and depressing as it often felt when we checked our emails only to read: "We’re moving forward with a more qualified candidate…” I tried to use humor to boost my spirits.
If nothing else, I figured this blog could serve as a sort of online diary that chronicled my descent into madness—a souvenir for the kids when I disappeared to go live among a feral cat community.
As I was job hunting, I came across a career advice website, The Muse, and I used some ideas from this blog to pitch the editor. Since I was in the trenches, she allowed me to begin writing for the site, and I was able to link to my blog in my byline. Every so often I received a lovely email or a direct message from someone who was unemployed and struggling as well. It made me feel better and less alone.
While looking for a full-time job, I picked up some freelance work and one assignment was to interview a woman who’d founded a local school for writers at all levels and stages. I asked which was her most popular course and she said memoir writing. I thought, "Huh. Maybe I could turn this blog into a memoir?" So I signed up for a workshop, thinking I was crazy, but also desperately in need of a creative outlet.
So in September 2015, I took my first memoir class and it kept me accountable. I’d paid my money, I needed to write those pages, and getting feedback in real time motivated me to keep going.
Two years later, I finished writing the memoir and began working on my query letter. I took a Writer’s Digest course that included a critique from the agent who taught the course. After I received her notes on my letter, I edited it a bit more until I felt like it was in the best shape possible. Then, I researched agents who’d sold memoirs and began emailing them. Soon the rejections started coming in faster than my chin hair.
Although most agents were pretty kind, they liked to point out that I wasn’t a celebrity, and I was like, “Duh, this is a memoir about unemployment. I’m on the verge of shoplifting toothpaste. I didn’t think I was a Kardashian.”
Others said the market for memoir was tough and they couldn’t sell it because I didn’t have “a large platform” — which is code for: “Don’t contact us again until you’ve delivered a viral TED talk!”
So December 2017 rolled around and I was determined to not give up, so I decided to participate in Pitmad. If you don’t know about Pitmad it’s a Twitter pitch event where writers tweet a 280-character pitch for their completed, polished, unpublished manuscripts. There are hashtags that let you identify your genre and you add #pitmad to the tweet and if an agent “likes” your tweet you can send them your work as per their guidelines. (Just an FYI: The next one is Dec. 2)
An agent liked my Tweet and I sent her my first few chapters. She wrote back days later asking to read the rest of the manuscript. After so much rejection, my first thought was: Is this one of my kids pranking me because they’re sick of hearing about my literary dreams imploding?
But, no, it was a real agent! Long story short—she offered to represent me and I gladly accepted. Now you’d think that would lead to my happily ever after, right? I had visions of sitting across from Oprah, chatting with Terry Gross, maybe taking a call from Reese Witherspoon…but….
What happened next was pure deja vu. More rejections. Only this time it was editors saying, “We don’t know how to break this out! You’re not famous!” and me screaming at the ceiling, “I know I’m not famous, I’m wearing the same underpants I’ve owned since the first Bush administration!”
Ultimately, my agent and I went our separate ways…but every few months, I’d pull out the memoir kind of like the way other people read love letters from old boyfriends, and I’d bemoan the fact that it hadn’t worked out.
Fast forward to 2020, a friend of mine had written a novel and had gotten an agent. She said, “My agent is sending it into Audible Original’s pitch portal but you don't have to have an agent to submit. Maybe you might want to think about that.”
So I got out my memoir, reread it, polished it up for the 4,000th time, and I sent it through the pitch portal...and they bought it.
On Thursday, six years and countless rejections later, my memoir Sad Sacked (based on this blog, thank you again for reading!) will be released—just shy of eight years after I got that phone call that initially sent us into a downward spiral.
If you've ever wondered, "How close did Liz come to losing her mind and her marriage?" then this audiobook is for you!
But I also feel like it's a story I wanted to tell because unemployment takes a tremendous mental, emotional, and sometimes physical toll, and I don't think that's talked about enough.I'm grateful to the wonderful women in my writing groups who encouraged me to not give up, to my friend who suggested I try Audible, and, most of all, to my husband for generously allowing me to share a tale in which neither of us is at our best.
Do you have an unemployment related story to tell? If you'd like to write a guest post, I'd welcome the chance to share your tale as well.
Thanks for reading!
November 2, 2021
10 Tough Questions to Ask Your Interviewer
Credit: Pixabay: Dean Moriarty
In September, I posted a piece about something I typically dread during the interview process—that painful moment near the end (by which point I've pushed past the boundaries of my deodorant and just want the meeting to wrap up ASAP) when the interviewer asks, "So, what questions do you have for me?"
The one that always tops my list is: "Why didn't I prepare some #$&@! questions???" Followed by "Can we just be done?"
If you've found yourself in the uncomfortable situation, you are not alone. Fortunately, expert career coaches at FlexJobs shared the 10 hardest questions you should ask during an interview and the reasons why you want these answered:
1. Why is this position available?
Why to ask it: The answer from this question can tell you a few helpful things: whether this is a new position (which comes with its own challenges), or whether someone left the position because they were promoted, moved laterally at the company, quit, or were fired. Whatever the answer, you will learn something valuable about the job and team you might join.
2. What makes it a great day and what makes it a challenging day at work?
Why to ask it: Rather than a vague question about what a “typical day” may look like, this subtle, yet hard-hitting question will allow you to get a much clearer picture of the highs and lows of the job.
3. When was the last time you promoted someone within your team, and why?
Why to ask it: This question can provide insight into what the hiring manager considers to be the most important traits, skill sets, and achievements to progress within the company. Plus, it also gives intel on career progression within the organization and how often employees are able to move up through the ranks.
4. What are some of the challenges you expect the person in this position to face?
Why to ask it: Every job will have its challenges, but asking about them specifically can help you learn what they may be ahead of time and whether they're the types of challenges you'd feel comfortable tackling.
5. How is criticism and feedback handled within the team?
Why to ask it: Some managers and teams do a great job of handling feedback and critical discussions in a way that helps everyone grow and evolve, and some just don't. The answer you receive from this question will help you know what to expect and whether it's an environment you'd be well-served in.
6. What is the main reason employees stay at or leave this company?
Why to ask it: Not only will this question provide a better sense of a company’s existing culture, it will also offer insight as to how aware the company is about employee experience and if they take employee feedback, such as exit interviews, to heart.
7. Could you tell me if you have any Employee Resource Groups (ERG) and how they might support your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DI) work?
Why to ask it: By asking directly about ERG’s, you’ll be able to determine if the company is vested and committed to their DEI strategic plans, and if they’re creating programs and policies to support their employees. This question is also an excellent way to determine if your values align with the company's values and mission statement, and if the company provides opportunities for their employees to grow while being valued as a contributor.
8. What is the company's approach to supporting the work-life balance of employees, and what are some recent initiatives you've put in place related to the pandemic?
Why to ask it: The answers received from this question will help you determine if the company really does support work-life balance and in what ways. Asking about any new things they've done as a result of the pandemic will tell you if the company is responsive to the ever-changing needs of its workforce.
9. How does the company determine salary levels or ranges for remote workers and is it at all different for in-office workers or hybrid workers?
Why to ask it: Companies with remote workers have several different ways they might determine salary levels. Typically, it’s based on either the company's location, the worker's location, or another metric like national average. Knowing how they calculate their pay rates gives you solid information to make informed decisions if/when you're negotiating salary requirements.
10. Do you have any hesitancy in hiring me?
Why to ask it: This offers a chance to immediately address anything they might say, and hopefully help the interview move past whatever is making them hesitant about hiring you for the role. Plus, it can provide solid information for how to improve for future interviews.
You definitely need nerves of steel (and, in my case, more deodorant) for that last one. But, asking it can help you address any issues that may knock you out of the running.
If you have an interview coming up, I wish you the best!
October 9, 2021
4 Inspiring Takeaways from Dorie Clark's 'The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World'
In 2014, networking guru Susan RoAne, author of How to Work a Room, introduced me to Duke University professor and author Dorie Clark, recently named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50.
Both of these powerhouses generously served as sources for me when I wrote for The Muse, and each is full of wisdom and insight that's delightfully straightforward and actionable.
The New York Times describes Dorie as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives,” and she's done that for me—referring me for jobs and including me in her fantastic networking dinners. So, when she asked if I'd like to read an advance copy of her new book, The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World, I eagerly said yes.
Unlike many business and career-focused books, once I started it, I found myself inspired (as opposed to overwhelmed). I looked forward to getting back to it (rather than returning it to the library unfinished and hoping my beloved librarians didn't ask if I enjoyed it).
Reading The Long Game feels a bit like having a life coach in your living room, whispering inspiration and reminders that anything worth pursuing isn't going to happen overnight.
Because that's a message that transcends most industries and endeavors, I'd recommend this book to everyone from students to seasoned professionals or really anyone who has a goal or a dream that requires determination, commitment and as Dorie says, "strategic patience."
As she explains in her newsletter, "Playing the long game, at its heart, is about making choices today that you'll be grateful for in the future."
I think of The Long Game as the executive-coaching cousin of Elizabeth Gilbert's more artist-centric Big Magic as both focus on shelving fear and moving forward—even when you can't or don't see any immediate payoff.
As a writer who always hopes to pen a novel that will be turned into a blockbuster film that allows me to retire (so I can stop pretending to understand corporate jargon), I live for stories of people toiling away wondering if they should give up only to achieve great success.
(Side note: I hate that I can't use that phrase without thinking of Borat.)
I'm not someone who regularly highlights section of books—mainly because I can never find a highlighter and when I do it's usually drier than a cat's tongue—but if I did, here are a few of the passages I'd mark to return to:
Hell Yeah! or No.Even when you're overcommitted, it can be hard to say "no" to an invitation or a favor. But if you want to achieve a goal, you need to guard your time. How do you decide which opportunities to decline?
In The Long Game, Dorie quotes Derek Siver, a music entrepreneur-turned-author, who uses this very simple strategy. When deciding whether or not to do something, if you feel anything less than "Wow! Hell yeah!" then say "no!"
Put down the faulty yardsticks.In Dorie's chapter titled 'Strategic Patience, ' Ron Carucci, who writes regularly for Harvard Business Review and Forbes, talks about the cliche: "It takes ten years to be an overnight sensation." But... it really does, he says. Don't let that put you off. Three, five, or ten years will pass either way—so why not pursue your dream on the off-chance it works out?
Too often people abandon projects and goals they've set when they don't achieve them fast enough. Another stumbling block on the rock to success is the temptation measure yourself against others by studying likes, shares, page views, and other "vanity metrics." When you focus on these, you forfeit your own agency. So put down these faulty yardsticks, Carucci advises, and focus on how far you've come.
Optimize for interesting.Our culture prioritizes the pursuit of a lucrative career, but Dorie argues that just because you're not on the established path, that doesn't mean you're going in the wrong direction.
In the book, she offers inspiring examples of people who put their interests ahead of dollars and, ultimately, found themselves on the successful path—and better still, they were fulfilled finding their place at their own pace.
Rethink failure.One thing I really appreciated about this book is the way Dorie shares her own failures—goals she set that for one reason or another (but never for lack of hustle and hard work) didn't pan out. But...Dorie being Dorie... didn't waste the effort she'd expended.
"Try to adapt plans that didn't work out. Are there alternative ways you can leverage the connections you made, the time you put in, or the work you created?"she posits.
As someone who never likes to see leftovers in the fridge go to waste, I love this. How can your repurpose and reframe those projects that didn't turn out as you'd hoped? Dorie offers up her own examples that you can apply to your own life.
The book is chock full of other solid advice that's stayed with me since I finished. This in particular: "Sometimes our bets pay off, and sometimes they don't. We have to make them anyway."
You can purchase the book here:
US - Amazon, or Barnes & Noble, or independent bookshops
UK - Amazon.co.uk or Waterstone's
Germany - Amazon.de
PS: I have no skin in the game. In other words, these aren't affiliate links (mainly because I have no clue how to do that).
Other books by friends I've recently enjoyed include:
The Little Girl in the Window by C.G. Twiles, a psychological thriller that's a super-quick, fun read,
and
Babies Don't Make Small Talk (So Why Should I?): The Introvert's Guide to Surviving Parenthood by Julie Vick, which is a hilarious look at all the awkward situations you're forced to endure—from pregnancy on.
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September 1, 2021
13 Questions to Ask During Your Pandemic Job Interview
Landing a job interview can feel like a feat in itself. One of the parts I enjoy least about the process is the old, "So, what questions do you have for ME?" portion that typically comes at the end.
When I was in the thick of interviewing back in 2014 and burned out from in-person meetings that went nowhere, I came up with a few choice questions I wanted to ask. But mainly, I found myself fighting the temptation to say, "Nah, man, I'm good!" — especially when it came to the jobs that didn't really seem like a great fit.
During the past year when I interviewed via Zoom, my top questions shifted toward:
"Can you move your laptop closer to your bookshelves? Is that A Gentleman in Moscow? I want to read that!"
"Where'd your cat go?"
"Are we cool if I start a Slack channel devoted to Real Housewives' discourse?"
and
"How many more hoops will you make me jump through before you tell me you've decided to go with a 'more qualified candidate?'"
But joking aside, when someone asks really smart questions it not only sets them apart from other applicants, it also allows them to gather information that may help them decide if they really want the job.
Recently, a connection reached out about an opening at my company. We chatted by phone and she blew me away with the well-informed questions she'd prepared, and I thought about how if I were hiring for that role, I'd have been impressed.
So, when Marc Cenedella, CEO of the career website Ladders, Inc., shared 13 questions to ask during your pandemic job interview, I knew I wanted to pass them along:
What are the plans for “back to normal?” (You can dig deeper by asking, What will normal look like? How are you thinking about time in-office vs. flex vs. remote for the workforce?)
How has work-from-home impacted your team’s productivity? (Consider adding, During COVID, what’s been the best boost for your team productivity and morale?)
What’s one thing that’s key to this company’s success that somebody from outside the company wouldn’t know?
What’s your (or my future boss’) leadership style?
What are the three things I can contribute in the first 100 days to make you feel great about hiring me?
Which competitor worries you the most? Is it their strategy, execution, market size, or something else?
Why did you decide to hire for this position instead of the many other roles you could have hired for? What about this position made you prioritize it over others?
If I get the job, what does great performance look like? What are the key accomplishments you’d like to see in this role over the next year?
How open is the company with information? What information is shared with the employees (revenues, costs, operating metrics)?
If we are going to have a very successful year in 2022, what will that look like? How does this position help achieve those goals? (This question is a surprisingly easy way to come across as somebody who is always looking ahead.)
How does the company do performance reviews? How do I make the most of the performance review process?
What is the rhythm to the work around here? Is there a time of year that it’s “all hands on deck” and we’re pulling all-nighters, or is it pretty consistent throughout the year?
Is this a new position, or an existing position? If new, why was it created and what are the expectations?
Additional Job Interview Notes:
When asking these questions, it’s vital to make sure you’re engaging in a conversation rather than checking off a list.
Cenedella noted, “As with all interview interactions, you want to come across as inviting a conversation, not as a know-it-all with ‘gotcha’ questions.”
Cenedella suggests an excellent way to make sure a potential employer is a great match for you is to pick the questions in which you’re the most interested and ask every single one of your interviewers the same questions.
“You can even let them know you’re doing this – it shows you’re engaged and prepared,” he said. “Asking the same question across interviewers can be very helpful in sussing out company culture, alignment, and conflict.”
You’ll get excellent insights from considering whether each person provides roughly the same answers or if there are big differences between how two groups or two heads of groups respond.
Noted! If you have an interview coming up, I wish you the best!
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August 9, 2021
Xpresso Tour & Giveaway
Hope your summer has been filled with page-turners!
He’ll Be Waiting is on a blog tour with Xpresso Tours this week.
Follow along here: http://xpressobooktours.com/2021/06/0...
And don't miss the giveaway: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/disp...
Thanks and happy reading!
Liz
