practical effects manifesto: career strategies 2009

RINKER ASSOCIATES MASTER SERIES

P ti l Eff tPractical Effects:Career Strategies in the 21st Centuryg y

introductionintroductionThere are “special effects” and then there are “practical effects”. Special effects create the smoke‐and‐mirror version of the real world (like computer generated images created in the film industry). Practical effects create authentic versions of the real world and are comprised of all those things you control. That’s everything between you and your outreached fingertips – that’s right, it’s just you. This manifesto is focused on those things ‐ ‐ the practical effects of your interaction with the real world. ‐ ‐ Lorraine Rinkerg p y

Important Disclaimer: Although every effort has been made to ensure this presentation is free from errors, this publication is made available with the understanding that the

h di d bli h ibl f h l f i kauthors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for the results of any action taken on the basis of information in this work, nor for any errors or omissions. The publishers, and the authors and editors, expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person, in respect of anything and of the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done by any such person in reliance, whether whole or partial, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this publication. If expert advice is required, services of a competent professional person should be sought.

Practical Effects 2009

invest in yourselfinvest in yourself

If you don’t value yourself why would anyone else value you?

Make a solid investment of time and money in yourself to get the help you need toto get the help you need to succeed.

The choice is yours: get serious or remain adrift.


likable or competent?likable or competent?

People win over work –bottom line, if the choice must be made ‐ ‐ likable wins.


generalist or specialist?generalist or specialist?

S i liSpecialist.

However, the more years ofmore years of experience you rack up the more you will beyou will be expected to be a generalist with one ultimate‐guru specialty under your belt.


alpha malesalpha males

If you’re an alpha male, there’s no telling you what to do.

But, if you’re someone who has to work with an alpha male (or alpha female), there are rules of engagement Learnof engagement. Learn them!


whatever you do, don’t be a wienerwhatever you do, don t be a wiener

That’s right ‐ ‐ I didn’t say “winner, whiner, il ” I id “ i ”or wailer”, I said “wiener”.

If you need an explanation of what a wiener is then you probably are onewiener is, then you probably are one.


one page or two?one page or two?

It’s up to you but even senioreven senior executives should be able to tell their extraordinary storyextraordinary story in one page.


preparing for interviewspreparing for interviews

Interviewing is the art ofInterviewing is the art of great story telling.

Have three extraordinary stories in your head that will serve as scenarios and answers to interview questions.questions.

Rehearse so your answers sound spontaneous and not

i dcontrived.


out of work, now what?out of work, now what?

‐ Graceful exitNever look/act desperate‐ Never look/act desperate

‐ Career plan‐ Resume portfolio‐ Network, network, network


keeping your jobkeeping your job

‐ Positive/enthusiastic‐ Avoid “special projects”‐ Stay above the radar‐ Toot your own horn‐ Learn the business‐ Leverage strengths‐Manage weaknessesManage weaknesses


job hopping and gapsjob hopping and gaps

It’s pretty normal for people to change jobs every year or so early in their careers.

Caring for elderly family members, personal health issues, advance education, travel – all legitimate reasons , gto take time off which you can list on your resume as a “Sabbatical”.

In formal interviews don’t go into theIn formal interviews, don t go into the personal details of your sabbatical, simply describe how you used the time to develop and grow.


moving home after collegemoving home after collegeNo, you’re not a loser. Living at home may give you the financial support needed to take a really great internship that will lead to a really greatlead to a really great paying job!

If you move back home b d ’ kbecause you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, a career coach can give you g ythe kick in the butt you need to get back out there with purpose.


peaceful office politics?peaceful office politics?

Times are changing.

Instead of thinking of office politics as “back‐stabbing” tactics, view h hthem as opportunities to get things done. Find out what people want and care about, then deliver it with the intent of delighting thethe intent of delighting the recipient.


twitter tweettwitter tweet

Twitter is the new golf.

In the 1900’s we played six hours of golf to nurture and gcreate relationships with prospects and clients. Today, we use tweets to build and nurture valued relationships.

If you’re going to play the tweeting game, have a plan and stay current.


button your buttonsbutton your buttons

back to basics:

manners

finesse

protocolprotocol

great grooming

h ld k h d illYou should know the drill.


the powerthe power

You have the power to make a difference –

use it well.


b lNot something which causesbe a catalystNot something which causes other things to occur, but

thi hi h lsomething which lowers resistance so change can occur.


the authorthe authorLorraine Rinker – Radical [email protected]/lorrainerinkerwww.linkedin.com/in/lorrainerinker

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