Why You Should Job Search in the Summer

Why You Should Job Search in the Summer

Summer is here and many of us are enjoying the sunny weather. It’s time to relax and enjoy for sure. Just because it’s the summer, though, you can’t completely forget about work. If you are searching for new opportunities, you still need to do career research and planning. The time for your job search is now.

People often tell me that they will apply for jobs in the fall. They often ask, why look for a new job in the summer, when the fall is when employers do their hiring?

I often respond by paraphrasing my grandfather, who was a successful businessman in Nova Scotia – “What you plant today, will be part of your harvest tomorrow.”

As with anything else, there is a lead up and planning time to secure work in your chosen field. Statistics show (depending upon what web site you are on), that 70 to 90 percent of job seekers find work by building and growing their professional network. Summertime is a great time to reach out to your personal contacts. Take this time to set up coffee meetings with employers and company representatives. Moreover, this is the time of the year, in many organizations, where the pace is slower. Leaders and Managers are using this time to develop their financial and marketing plans for the fall and winter.

This summer slow down may be the perfect opportunity for job seekers to learn more about various industries and organizations and where you may fit. I suggest that you use this time to have introductory and information meetings with employers and people of influence. They may consider you for upcoming jobs or refer you for roles in other organizations. Summer may be the a very good time to look as employers are receptive to meet and grow their professional networks – and possibly hire.

To learn more, contact me today.

A Car Accident, Parent Modeling and Business Leadership

A Car Accident, Parent Modeling and Business Leadership

A car accident that I had recently, gave me the opportunity to observe how some parents model behaviour for their children. At the same time, it gave me better insight into the genuine concern and caring of people and how that may translate into business leadership. This accident gave me the opportunity to observe how a business leader in Canada, presents one public image, while in his private time, shows a lack of empathy and disregard for others. This leader has sold billions products and services to Canadian businesses and consumers. He is from one of the top managed companies in Canada,.

The Accident

I learned how a young man, who was coached by his father, behaved after this accident. I observed how this leader mentors others, how his moral compass and behaviour does not align with the public profile that he seeks to present. Through his son’s actions, This father and leader modeled inappropriate behaviour, lack of honesty or concern for others.

On June 5, 2017, I was in my car with my mother at a red light. It was 10:00pm and I waiting patiently, behind another car. Soon the light turned green. Without any reason the car ahead of me, backed up towards my car with my mother and I inside, rather than go forward as you should when a traffic light changes to green.

How it Relates to Business Leadership

Obviously, this small accident was not a pleasant experience. It could have been resolved quickly and amicably. However, the accident gave me the opportunity to observe the business leader’s behaviour. The emails that his son sent showed a disregard for others.

Business Leadership: Leader and Employee High Fiving

Leaders need to model good behaviour and actions. This is important for their children and their teams, whether it’s during business hours or during their private time. Failure to show concern for others during their private time, demonstrates a real lack of leadership skills. Leadership is not only carried out Monday to Friday, during company hours. Good leadership qualities can and should be modeled by leaders tin their private time, and not just during business hours.

To learn more about the behaviour that a leader models, contact me for a consultation.

Respected CEOs Will Establish a Good Business Environment

Respected CEOs Will Establish a Good Business Environment

Years ago, I was a substitute / supply teacher in public schools. My work there gave me an opportunity to learn more about leadership in schools. This has given me a better understanding of leadership in business. It also gave me insight into what a good business environment is.

How A Principal Is Like a CEO

Working short-term in different schools, gave me the opportunity to observe leadership within the school. Through listening and speaking with teachers in classrooms and in the lunch rooms, I was able to get a sense of what it was like working at that school. I learned:

  • If they respected their principal
  • If they were motivated to come to work every day and
  • How much they enjoyed their work environment.

Over time, I noticed that teachers who liked their principals were more likely to be motivated in their jobs. Even as a temporary teacher for that school, I sensed which teachers were committed. From my observation, there is a strong correlation between principals who are respected and liked, and teachers who are dedicated in their work. A principal who is able to lead by example and develop positive relationships will develop a comfortable environment that teachers thrive in.

What a CEO Can Learn From a Principal About a Good Business Environment

I believe that just like a respected principal will build an effective school environment for learning, my belief is that the influence that a CEO is immeasurable. The CEO also sets the “tone” for that organization. The CEO can model what type of environment is developed within organization. That includes how well people work together. Leadership and a good business environment result in employee loyalty and job retention.

If employees see that a CEO or a principal is able to set a positive tone by interacting well with all members of the organization, a harmonious work environment work will result. Employees will be motivated and produce their best work because they know their leader supports them.

Do you need help in creating a good business environment? Contact me to learn how.

Brian Epstein: Genuine Interest in Others

Brian Epstein: Genuine Interest in Others

I come from a small town. When I reflect on my upbringing, I often ask myself what is one thing that I learned from living in a small community? That thing that seems to help me in business and working with others? I believe, strongly, that it comes down to the fact that I have a genuine interest in others

Without question, I believe that the genuine interest that people have for others in a small town is transferrable to working in a small business. Generally, in a small town, people want to support other citizens and the community at large. People find a way to be collaborative with their neighbours and all the people that live and work in the community. Everyone realizes that if they support one another, the entire community benefits. People are happier and enjoy living in that community.

In the same manner, if you create a warm, friendly work environment, and people feel comfortable and welcome, colleagues will feel that support and have less stress. Therefore, when people have a genuine interest in other people, management and employees will feel more motivation at work. A good working environment is one where all personnel show interest in one another. Ultimately, I believe that when people are genuinely interested in one another, it will lead to success in business.

Find out more about how you can create a successful working environment with my help. Contact me today to learn more.

Employers, Here’s How to Benefit in the Aftermath of an Election

Employers, Here’s How to Benefit in the Aftermath of an Election

Seven key skills that staffers bring in the aftermath of an election.

In a few days, there will be an election in the Province of Ontario. As Kathleen Wynne conceded over the weekend, that means there will soon be hundreds of Liberal political staffers, and a few MPPs, looking for work. That is part of the real aftermath of an election.

Now, if you’re not a fan of the Ontario Liberal government — and not a lot of people are right now — you’re probably not going to lose a lot of sleep if they’re voted out of office. If you’re a Liberal political staffer, you’ve probably already lost sleep — and you’re about to lose a lot more as you try to figure out what to do next. But, if you’re an employer, you should probably be excited because a lot of talented people are going to be available for hire soon.

That’s because political staffers come with a skill set that are valuable to companies and leaders. Unlike officials in the bureaucracy, political staffers don’t have job security. Rather, they serve a minister or premier and get fired when their party loses an election. After an election loss, these highly skilled people all hit the workforce at the same time creating a temporary smorgasbord of talent.

While private sector employers may not be aware of the qualities that political staffers bring, they are incredibly valuable. They include:

Work ethic:

When your job depends on the government being re-elected, you have a built-in incentive to work as hard as possible to help your party succeed at the polls. Political staffers are used to working long hours and being on call — and doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

Communications skills:

Politics is one of the biggest employers and incubators of communications talent. Again, when your job depends on persuading people, you get pretty good at crafting a message, managing issues and dealing with the media.

Analysis:

Every day, even very junior political staffers give advice or make decisions involving millions of taxpayer dollars. To do this properly, staff need to be able to analyze the risks and rewards of a project from all sides. As a result, people who have made a career in politics usually have excellent decision-making skills.

Flexibility and adaptability:

Consider all the government portfolios – education, health care, infrastructure, transportation, natural resources, environments Each of these has its own dedicated ministry. Most political staffers have worked for multiple ministries, meaning they can quickly adapt to new files, people and new projects.

Fearlessness:

Immediately, political staffers are thrown into morning briefing meetings with government ministers and senior leaders. This can include the premier or prime minster. Even the most junior staffer has a lot of experience dealing with big personalities and high-stakes meetings. Policy staff, in particular, are used to high-level meetings with companies, governments and other stakeholders.

Networks:

Though you might think it was more advantageous to hire staff from the current governing party, it is even smarter to hire staff from a party just out of power. In Ontario, where one party has been in charge for 15 years, staff turnover has meant that many former staffers now have key and senior positions in organizations all over Ontario. These people — thousands of them — are all connected through LinkedIn and Facebook. This massive and very loyal network can be helpful when you’re looking for a vendor or a contact or information about an issue — and they all have relationships with senior government bureaucrats.

In the next few weeks, when these talented people hit the market, some private sector employers will gloss over their resumes, thinking that they’re typical “government” workers. But that’s a mistake your competitors are going take advantage of. Bankers – take a good look at Finance ministry staff. Corporations and startups – kick the tires on some Economic Development staff. Run a clean-tech company? Environment staff. Universities? Education staff. And on and on it goes.


Originally published in the Financial Post.
Image: Financial Post

To find out more about how to choose the right people, contact me.