Posts Tagged ‘make a difference’

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The Difference You Make

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

My new book is coming out shortly. And more information on that and some free chapter downloads soon.

Here is why I mention this. I wrote the book to offer a process to help you know yourself, find your fit and transform your world. Another way to say that is to help you see the difference you make. It is presented as a story of two kids in college – and how they learn the five rules for a really great life. It presents this thinking:

Each of us has the ability and responsibility to invent our life. We are given amazing gifts – known as our talents and passions. We are all different; your gifts and mine are not the same. The reason for this is shared in the great quote, “we don’t get harmony when we all sing the same note.” We are all different to add to and invent an extraordinary world. When we know our talents and passions, we can bring our best to the world. But if you don’t know what you are great at and love to do, how will you share your best? Or, how will you make a difference?

So as I get the book ready to share this new approach, I ask you to start to consider what difference you make each day:
o Whose world is better because you are part of it today?
o What is one great thing you do that changes your life or someone else’s life for the better?
o What can you share today that will make someone happier?
o What can you share today that will make someone better?
o What did you learn about yourself today that reminds you of what a difference you make?
o What passions do you have that help us understand our world and connect better with others?
o What does the world need that you do well?

To make your greatest difference you must first know yourself. From your gifts, you can find where you have the greatest impact and what you can bring to the world. This is meant to be practical. Be yourself. Be great.

What difference can you make today?

Please share this with someone who can benefit from it and contact me to learn more about the five rules for a really great life.

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Say What You Need to Say in Your Job Interview

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Before you leave your job interview, be sure the hiring manager knows how you add value and how you make a difference – even if he/she doesn’t ask.

It is up to you to be sure a hiring manager knows these two things about you – because these are what drive his/her decisions. So let’s look at how you can ensure they know how you add value and what difference you will make, whether they ask or don’t ask.

First: If the hiring manager asks, be ready to share how you add value and make a difference with real examples, and that make sense for the job for which you are applying.
1. Know what matters in the job – so you can show how you can make it happen.
2. Know information about the company and how you will be able to add value and make a difference in the rest of the company.
3. Openly share your thoughts; don’t hold back.

Second: If the hiring manager does not ask about how you add value and make a difference, you need to bring it up – because you need them to know this about you.
1. Tell how what you do well will make a difference in the workplace. Start with something like, “Can I tell you how I think I can make a great difference here?”
2. Show how you created value in your last job. Again, say something like, “In my last job, I …..; this was very important for the company.”

So whether they ask you, or you have to bring it up, you have to ensure the hiring manager knows how you add value and how you make a difference. Share your story of the great things you do and have done. This is what gets you noticed for the right reasons. This is what gets you hired.

Please forward this to someone who can benefit from it and be sure to see more “get hired” information at www.LiveFiredUp.com, click on “Job Seeker.”

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Showcase How You Make A Difference; This Gets You Hired

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

When job hunting, the best way to get noticed is to show the hiring manager that you are interested in more than a job – you are interested in “making a difference.” This immediately separates you from others.

What gets hiring managers’ attention is when they see that you want more than just to do the job. People who are committed to making a difference, approach their lives and their work with greater focus and effort; they are more committed and more energized. Hiring managers want this. At a time where most companies have to get more done with less, you stand out when you showcase how you make a difference.

Here are two tips:
1. In your correspondence including your cover letter and on your resume: Summarize the difference you made with customers, your team or the results in your last job or jobs. Give details. Don’t follow the old format of boring cover letter; use your first paragraph to draw attention to your ability to be counted on and make a difference – and how you have already done this. Highlight lines on your resume where you did more than the job required and the difference it made.

2. In your interview: Ask about the most significant difference others have made in the job. Offer some ways you can add to their impact. Explain the places in your work history in which you personally made a meaningful difference. Identify the places in your life that you continue to make a difference (with your family, church, community, organizations, etc).

Today’s hiring managers want those who know what extra effort is – and have exhibited it in their work and lives. Another way to say this is that hiring managers are looking for candidates who are committed to making a difference.

For sample talent-based interview questions and my list of the hot industries and hot jobs; click on “Job Seeker.”

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Makers or Watchers

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

“The world is really made up of three types of people – the people who make things happen, the people who watch things happen and the people who ask “What happened?” Ron Barassi.

Some employees make things happen. They are engaged, passionate and connected to their work and workplace. They come to work excited to make a difference and are competent and confident in their jobs.

Some employees watch things happen. They are sideline employees who do just enough and little more. They are uninspired and bored. Their performance is average. Their customers are unimpressed.

What creates one type of employee or the other? Management.

Today’s management is responsible to hire employees who are a good fit for their roles. Employees who do not have the talents and passions to do the job, are quickly bored, uninspired and disinterested. They become watchers.

But hire an employee whose talents and passions match those needed in the job and they are activated, interested and fired up! They love what they do. They make things happen. They make a difference. They make an impact.

Right person, right job = maker. Wrong person, wrong job = watcher. “Fit” matters.

Take Action: Learn how to assess talents and which drive performance in each role. Focus on employee “fit.” Great people become poor employees when they work in the wrong jobs. At a time when we have to do more with less, we need makers not watchers.

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