Notes from CareerTools podcast about 2009 Resume Update

Resume Update 2009 - CareerTools

Career management document.

- Every job we've done in detail.

- Not on resume but provides useful information.

- Update quarterly.

- Start with most current resume and build from there

- Update with new responsibilities, new accomplishments, new skills and learning

Resume Update for 2009:

1.) show you cut costs

2.) managed budget professionally

3.) show productivity increases

Seven Survival Skills

I read a blog article recently on LeadingBlog that described seven survival skills for the new age. The material is from the book "The Global Achievement Gap" by Tony Wagner.

The article is located here:
http://www.leadershipnow.com/leadingblog/2008/11/hiring_the_right_skill_set_and.html

The seven survival skills listed by the author are:
1.) critical thinking and problem solving
2.) collaboration across networks and leading by influence
3.) agility and adaptability
4.) initiative and entrepreneurship
5.) effective oral and written communication
6,) accessing and analyzing information
7.) curiosity and imagination

By my count that is 14 but I suspect that "good at math," is not among the seven survival skills. The MBA's who led our economy into the crapper seem certainly to be lacking in that 8th skill. Well, maybe lacking in other important skills like ethics, responsibility, and accountability.

To this set, whether 7 or 14 I would immediately add the following:

8.) Zeal for learning and embracing new methods (mindmapping, managing strengths, leading by clarity) and new technology tools (MindManager, Basecamp, Collaboration Technologies). Maybe that is included in curiosity and imagination or facilitates the rest but it is important.

Please respond with your own ideas. A priority ranking perhaps? Other missing skills?

I tested this set out with my AST team and many people seemed to be in agreement so I think this is a good set to start with.

Now, the difficult part, what is ACTIONABLE? And How? This is especially tricky with training and professional development budgets being slashed during these turbulent times.

The Strengths Starting Point - My Beginning SET

The dial to the left is my starting point Strengths Engagement Track (SET). Not too bad although I believe both the present and the future levels are a little high since I knew some of the answers. The challenge for me will be to learn the lessons as if I had not been privy to where this is heading. I did have a little difficulty selecting between once-a-week and once-a-day for when I experience strengths-induced euphoria. A choice of several times a week would have been closer to what I experience.

It's not that I skewed the numbers, as I have been a strengths-advocate since being introduced to the book, Now, Discover Your Strengths. Like many who have been moved by that book, it made things more clear why I am incredibly good at some things but atrocious at others. It resonates with my personal experience and with my journey for growth.

All I have to do is to allow myself to achieve greatest growth in the areas that are my strengths. Sure, that sounds counter-intuitive. It does break the myth. Is it true? Is it right? We shall see.

It certainly puts the reigns in my own hands and makes no one responsible for my success or failure other than myself. Darn, that is too awesome a responsibility and maybe too great a challenge.

I have begun the strengths movement for myself. Step One of the book awaits. I am ready to bust some myths. The one things about the approach is that I will have to do one step per week to get the full value. I will try to make this blog and this series of articles interesting even at the incredibly slow speed of one step per week. Marcus, I trust you, others, please be patient or better yet, become involved yourself. I will get very tired of reading or hearing my own thoughts (as will you all). Onward with the journey.

Starting my own Strengths Movement -- The Beginning

If you follow this blog you have probably read the two previous articles about Marcus Buckingham and know the value I place in his views on management, leadership, and personal success. Now is the time to put this into action. To go beyond the book theory.

The book, "Go, Put Your Strengths To Work," describes a 6 week program to put my strengths to work. This series of blog postings will chronicle my experience in doing precisely that. Marcus had a great line about putting on your own oxygen mask first. While I could bring this directly to my work team I will follow that suggestion and get the oxygen flowing in my life, and then share with others.

The optimist in me wants this to be something that changes my life in what I can accomplish and the value I can bring. The skeptic worries about it being another program. I have certainly encountered many in my year of train reading. Another quote from Marcus, "programs start large and finish small, movements start small and finish large." Here's to finishing large.

The first action is the take the Strengths Engagement Track (SET) survey to establish my starting point. I will sign on to the SimplyStrengths website tomorrow and take that and will post the results.

This will mark the beginning of my journey to using my strengths. As is common at the beginning of any journey, I experience conflicting emotions, anticipation and anxiety, wonder and realization.

Feel free to take this journey as well. Others' voices are equally important as my own. Come aboard. Comment, Interact, Participate!

Introduction of New Themes for HFA Blog

Along with the existing HFA-blog themes I am adding the following:

'Clarity of Purpose' is to follow the Marcus Buckingham inspired aspect that a leader's 'One Thing' more important than any other is to provide clarity of purpose. This series will be to provide clarification of intentions, products, expectations, goals and objectives.

'Illuminatus' or articles of illumination are meant to raise awareness of interesting or important issues.

'Prosperitas' theme is to guide creativity to achieve prosperity for HFA collaborators.

Why the Latin influence in these themes? Well, after completing two books on Leonardo Da Vinci the idea of wide-ranging creativity is very attractive. Of course I would like to focus that creativity on being successful with meaningful ideas and work. He seemed more about creativity for creativities sake. Our goal, no unfinished work that has market potential.

I am looking for contributors to the MyHomeField blog within these themes or other ideas that fit within the HFA approach. Contact me with your ideas and interests. All the best!

Purpose of HFA Blog

I have been thinking about what visitors to this site might wonder about the purpose of these postings. It is fairly personal, at least for now but the title is for a "budding new company." Truth is, there is quite a bit of both. This is a launch, not quite a company launch or a product launch, but an idea launch.

The idea? The creation of an interactive on-line community of peers. That is where the Home Field Advantage name comes from. At least the 'advantage' part. Much of this is headed toward my long range vision that I call "the competitive advantage" but I don't want to give too much of that away yet. I would rather picque the interest of creative collaborators or angel investors wanting to be part of crafting the future.

Idealistic you say? Yes, and ambitious. My goal, to be successful. Of course that is very broad, purposefully so.

As to the HFA Blogsite. This is what I plan to do. I have sevefral recurring themse of entries as you might be able to see. 'Tales from the Train'are thoughts and sharing while I am riding to and from NYC on my daily commute. These may be exercises in creative writing, observational entries, or business topics. I write these on my Blackberry and submit to the blog via email. At least they are extemporaneous.

Next comes 'Mindful Musings' which are directed to specific topics. The intention of this theme is to muse about things within the profession of manager, leader, and entrepenneur. Sometimes philosophical topics intrude but maybe that is OK.

The other recurring themes include 'Photos of Life', pictures captured from my cell phone and transmitted as close to real time as possible via photo transmission method. Also there are 'Creative Images' and 'Quotes of the Day'.

What about input from viewers? Sure! All I ask is that you not be rude nor crude. People are certainly entitled to their opinions and the free exercise of speech. I will exercise my right to determine what remains on this site for me and my friends to view. Please pass this site by if your contribution to the world is vandalism.

My idea is that this an online community will form and we can then decide to take this private or by invitation. Please provide your ideas within the context of what HomeFieldAdvantage is all about.

Drop me an email if you visit the site and may return someday. Enjoy the day...