Kimberly's Korner

Recently I was asked this question by a younger client, someone who is beginning their career journey. "I don't see an opportunity to grow in my current position or at this company that fits my interest." I answered her, "If you're asking if it's time to go, you already know the answer." I gave her the task of instead of focusing on roles and titles, what is her dream job?

Titles are important to a company to place you in a salary bracket. You are more than a title though. Focus on what you're passionate about and how you can earn a living doing just that.

Yes. How many stories I have heard from colleagues and employers about the mis-guided use of company hardware. While internal chat platforms give you an opportunity to quickly ask a question to a colleague rather than an email, be mindful of the words and names you write. Every company has an IT department with an algorithm to monitor employee activity. Believe it.

You were smart to get the job. Don't be less than smart in what you write in a chat or email forum.

I am often asked this question and sometimes it boggles my mind why it isn't part of the interviewing process for everyone. Resume is important, it gets you noticed. The thank you email is your lasting impression so don't write something canned. Write something specific to the interviewer which demonstrates you were listening to them as s/he were listening to you.

Cross the finish line during the interview process with an impactful, thoughtful, and well written thank you email.

A recent client of mine came to me with the above question. Before diving deep into the various aspects of marketing, I asked her specifically, what she defines as marketing and what interests her? She gave it some thought. I asked her what brands appeal to her and why? Through probing questions and self reflection, she doesn't want to be in marketing after all.

When thinking about your career, first reflect on your why. She didn't need me to tell her marketing wasn't her passion and yet, she needed me to tell her by asking her the what, the why.

It is always a good time to pursue a new opportunity. Yes, companies hire at year end, especially managers who have open requisitions that will close if they don't. Some companies fire at year end for a number of reasons, many with a solid line to the company's bottom line.

Don't let a day of the week or year determine whether you should take a break and wait. Go after your next opportunity. It's a lot closer than you think.

One of the consulting services Apex offers is helping candidates with their resume. By helping, I mean, it's not just "oh, insert a bullet here"; "you missed a period"; or "it's too long". We ask you pointed questions beginning with "what are your career aspirations?" Too often candidates focus on titles rather than their career.

Don't define your career by the title of the job offering. Don't seek your next opportunity by the title of the job offering. Sure, it's helpful as a starting point, but shouldn't be the end point either.

There are studies upon studies, surveys, word of mouth opinions about the importance of a healthy workplace environment. When candidates ask me about the culture of one of my clients, while I cannot speak to firsthand experience, I do cite the feedback I've heard from my contractors who are sourcing for them or designing the website or writing the social media posts.

I ask each of them: what are the three adjectives you would use to describe the culture? Listen to the words and as you are, what is the feeling you have with each one?

Whenever I am asked this question, I pause. I think about who is asking me because this is important, is it a friend? Is it a family member? Is it the sales person at the car dealership or the person standing behind you in line?

What you say, how you say it, matters. You have an opportunity to tell someone something about you that will impact them in some manner. What do you know want them to know. Before answering, think about your audience, then deliver your response.