Every day we meet strangers either online or in person and each of these “chance encounters” can positively impact our career and life trajectory.

Chance encounter –

“A meeting with an individual, especially one that is unplanned or unexpected”

If you need to find an answer to a question, want a new job or are looking to get ahead in your career embrace chance encounters. Everyone you meet has information that is valuable. If you take the time to participate, listen and ask questions you will learn a great deal from others.   When someone talks to you on a plane, bus or park bench – see this as an opportunity.  When at an event or party talk to people you do not know.  If someone reaches out to you on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter engage in an online conversation.

It is no wonder that many individuals are frightened of chance encounters or talking to people they do not know.  Most of us from a very young age have been told “Don’t talk to strangers”.  Yes this might have been good advice when we were five years old, but with common sense as an adult chance encounters are an opportunity that can positively impact our career and life.  Our connections are critical in helping us solve problems and discovering new information.

Clients will say to me…

“But it is hard” (Yes, but if you start now – it will make life easier in the end)

“It is fake” (Instead think about it as altruism – I help you and maybe you might help me in the future)

“It takes time” (Yes, indeed, but it is an investment for the future)

“I don’t know what to say” (Practice  – it gets easier the more you do it)

“But what if they don’t want to talk to me?” (So what – Their loss and move on)

“Why would they want to talk to me” (People like talking about themselves – ask questions and listen)

Why bother? Every job opportunity that I have had was due to taking the time to talk to individuals I did not know and using chance encounters as an opportunity. You never know how the person sitting next to you might positively impact your life now or in the future.

For example, just yesterday I began talking to the person sitting next to me in a hotel lounge.  What I learned was that she was a real estate agent in Miami.  This was helpful since I am currently investigating different neighborhoods in Miami to live.  In return I was able to give her advice on using social media for her career.  Both of us learned a great deal and this wouldn’t have happened without embracing the opportunity of a chance encounter.

I encourage you to use chance encounters as an opportunity to connect and learn from others.   You will be surprised at how many people are willing to help, share ideas and information.  Think of every person you meet as a learning opportunity.  Yes making new connections takes time, but if you can spare a few minutes of your day to gather information from others it can be beneficial in so many different ways.

How have chance encounters impacted your own career or life?

In 2012 I will instead strive to enjoy the small moments in life while being thankful for the present.

In the past my own new year’s resolutions included exercising more, eating better and obtaining new career goals.

I love planning for the future in fact this is one reason I became a career counselor. Planning for the future is one of my specialties.

Yet, I recently read an article where 1,200 older Americans gave advice they would offer to members of the younger generation.

“If there’s one do-over the elders wish they could have, it would be not spending precious time worrying obsessively about the future. They said this as clearly as can be: “Worry wastes your life.” “Worrying never solved anything. So don’t.”

This made me wonder if in the process of worrying about the future I may have missed important opportunities to fully enjoy living in the present.

Indeed, when I stepped back and thought about the individuals I admire the most due to their success they all had 3 keys traits in common.

1. Being Thankful
2. Enjoying Each Moment in Life
3. Embracing Happiness

It is true that people like being around people that are happy.  For example, if you radiate happiness you are more likely to get a job, develop better relationships with others and therefore become more successful in everything that you do.  The problem with using only success to measure happiness is that once you reach your future goal you must again worry about how you can reach your next goal to once again experience happiness.  This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t have future goals, because yes they are important. However it may be equally as important to strive to find happiness through being thankful for both the big and small moments in life.

Therefore my New Year’s resolution this year is to be thankful and mindful of the present.   For instance, I will try to look at the stars more, take in the special moments I share with others, enjoy every bite of the food I eat, take joy in how it feels to walk in the park, smile at strangers and become more aware of the small and big achievements of each day.

If I mess up, have a bad day, or forget I will be thankful that I have an opportunity to start from scratch and try all over again.

Happy New Year!

Nancy Richmond

What is your New Year’s Resolution? (Would love to hear from you)

Job Interview Mistakes

Below are five tips and two funny movie clips demonstrating what not to do in a job interview.  Often job seekers do not realize how hard it is to interview until they are sitting in the interview seat trying to answer questions.  Practicing interview questions in advance can both help your confidence and improve how you present your qualifications to a hiring manager.  If you do have an interview that goes badly try to keep a positive attitude and learn from your mistakes.

5 Interview Blunders

1. Not Researching the Company

2. Dressing Inappropriately

3. Can’t Answer – “Why should We Hire You”

4. Talking Badly about a Previous Employer or Manager

5. Forgetting to Send a Thank You Note

Now a few funny movie clips of some bad job interviews.  I am hoping these videos will make you smile, while perhaps giving you a chance to reflect on “what not to do” in a job interview in the future. Enjoy!

Written By Nancy Richmond

If it is essential to pour yourself another cup of ambition on a daily basis and you find yourself watching the clock for the day to end than it might be time to start revising your resume.

I strongly believe that life is too short not to be happy.  Though change is often difficult it is sometimes necessary.  Workers in the United States spend 40+ hours a week at work, which is a great deal of time to be miserable.  In every job you are going to have bad days on occasion.  However, if you find you are having more bad days than good days it is time to evaluate the situation. 

5 Warning Signs!

1.       First Sign – You are Reading this Article at Work

You should be working but instead you can’t focus because you hate your daily tasks and/or work environment.

2.       Work is Putting You in a Bad Mood

Does your current job take all the joy out of your life putting you in a bad mood? You may find your bad mood is filtering into your personal life.  Family and friends are often the first to notice when things are not right.

3.       Your Job is Making You Sick

If you are stressed out and unhappy at work this can greatly impact your health.  Are you having more stomach or headaches than usual? Do you find that you can’t sleep at night because you are worrying about work?

4.       Your Strengths are Not Being Used

We all have strengths and things that we are good at.  If you don’t know what they are consider asking previous co-workers or friends “What are my top 3 strengths”?  Are you currently using these strengths in your current role?  If not than your current job is not a good match.

5.       Doesn’t Match Your Values

Make a list of what you value the most in a job and in your life.  If you find that the top items on your list can’t be obtained in your current role than it might be time for a change.  Don’t feel like you have to make this big decision alone – meet with a career advisor to help guide you through the career decision making process.

Changing jobs is not easy and will require a great deal of work?  However, finding a job that you feel passionate about and uses your talents is certainly worth it.  Imagine what it would be like to have a job that makes your life both happier and more fulfilling.

When your career is in transition this is a perfect time to reflect on what you REALLY want in life. Should you create a blog to help you reach your career goals?

In August, my own career was in transition with a move from Boston to Miami. Career transitions are a terrific time to create a list and reflect on “What should I do with my Life”. My own list included creativity, innovation and helping others with their careers through the use of technology.  After evaluating my list I realized that I could obtain many of these goals through creating a blog.

Blogs are a great way to get your name out there as an expert in your field while having an opportunity to connect with others and share information.  Today we can’t expect to stay in a job for a lifetime.  Every savvy professional needs to be able to quickly reach out to their social network in a world of work that is constantly changing.  A blog can help you create a professional online image while assisting you in building valuable connections for the future.

What are you passionate about? What do you want to be known for?

Could a blog help you reach your own career goals?

5 Tips to Create a Blog

1. Evaluate Your Time

Do you have enough time in your life to write a blog? There is nothing worse than visiting a blog that has been left inactive for months.  If you start writing a blog for your career you will need to be active and persistent in keeping your blog posts current.  If you decide you do not have enough time you may want to consider using a micro-blog (Twitter) instead.

2. Visual Appeal

You want your blog to grab the attention of the reader.  WordPress has a large selection of templates to create a professional and visually appealing blog.

3. Use Key Words

Before you write your blog it is critical to research what key words are most related to your area of expertise to encourage search engines to find key words that will rank you accurately.  Place these key words throughout the blog post in a tasteful way that help the reader navigate to the information they are looking for.  Don’t forget that key words are important for images as well.

4. Be Passionate and Make Content Stickier

Increase the time visitors spend on your blog and the chances they’ll return through creating stickier content.  Use eye catching headings, include images, personalize, create a blog post series, and link internally.

5. Share Your Blog Using Social Media

Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook can be used to share your blog posts with your greater online network. Don’t forget to market your blog to others. Promoting your blog will be critically important so you are not the only person reading it.

Written by Nancy Richmond

Short-Term Goals

Job searching can take a great deal of time and the list of tasks you need to complete can feel overwhelming.  Remember you can’t do it all at once, instead set small weekly goals.  For example this week I am going to create a more effective resume and next week I am going to update my LinkedIn profile.  One small step at a time and you soon will be filling out HR paperwork for your new job.

2. Know What You Want

Determine what you want next in your career and create a strategic plan to get it.  If you are unfocused employers will be confused about what you want and why you are applying for the job.  After looking for a job for a while it is easy to say, “At this point I will take anything”.  Though plans sometimes need to be altered, don’t lose sight of your career goals.

3. Obtain Professional Job Search Advice

If you are struggling with the job search process or narrowing your focus consider making an appointment with a career advisor.

4. Think Outside the Box

Find creative ways to market yourself to others to create a stronger professional online image.  By using social media sites  like “LinkedIn” you can develop stronger connections through communicating with others online.  For example, join a LinkedIn group that is related to your field of interest and start answering questions to get your name out there.

5. Stay Positive

Feeling frustrated, overwhelmed and anxious are common feelings during the job search process.  However we know that positive people are more likely to find jobs.  The first step to finding a job is to try to think positively. Tell yourself daily that with hard work, career guidance and determination you will be able to reach your career goals.

Written by Nancy Richmond