Lisa Johnson Mandell

Hi Lisa

I read your answer to ‘How Can I find Work I really Enjoy.’  The advice was good but I am not sure of my skills and I want drastic change.  I was a restauranteur for 20-yeaars in the complicated Caribbean business climate. I sold my business 1.5 yrs ago.  Now, at 49, I want to do work that helps others and is rewarding.  I love psychology but have no degree.  I have an entrepreneurial spirit but little money and now need to get to work.  I have recently found work (volunteering) in a soup kitchen twice monthly, this excites me but will not pay the rent.  I find I offer warmth easily to people and they share deeply.  I want to care where it is needed.  Please advise.

J.

Dear J.

It sounds as if you’ve identified great skills and passion via your work in the soup kitchen. I’m sure your 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry really helps, as does your natural compassion for others in need. This is the perfect time and environment to go to all the non-profits in your area that provide food for the hungry, and see if they have any paid positions for someone with your invaluable skill sets. Charities receive a sudden influx of funds at the end of the year, as people hurry to do their annual donating before the new tax year kicks in–they need those last tax deductions for 2009. So non-profits are feeling flush.

If I were you, I’d outline a plan for the organizations you plan on approaching. How can they more efficiently (and deliciously) take care of the hungry? Is it possible for you to organize surplus food donations from restauranteurs with whom you have relationships? You’ll have plenty of opportunities to listen to, commiserate with, and help those in need while you’re administering a great food program that only you can orchestrate. Once you nail down a paid position, you can work on your psychology degree in your spare time — and be assured there are plenty of grants and scholarships available to someone who is doing so much good for others.

All the best!

Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I’ve been out of work for four months, and recently a headhunter set up an interview for me for a position that doesn’t really interest me, at a company that would be a substantial commute from my home. Should I even bother putting on makeup and driving out there when I have no intention of accepting the job?

Marcela

Dear Marcela,

In a word, “YES!” Consider this a dress rehearsal for an interview for a job you really want. Practice giving the most stunning personal presentation you possibly can. These days, it’s a major coup just to get a phone call, not to mention an interview. Be grateful for and take advantage of every opportunity the universe sends you. This will build up energy and momentum in the right direction.

Also, who knows? You might arrive at the site of the interview and find out that the working and/or corporate environment is so great it makes up for the fact that you’re not in love with the product being produced. It’s possible that you’ll find a new interest in the product or position, or there could be other opportunities at that particular company that make up for the commute. You’ll never know what kinds of possibilities are out there until you explore all options. Besides, wouldn’t you rather be out of the house, meeting new people and networking, rather than just sitting in front of your computer waiting for new job postings to appear? By all means, get up, get out, and get going in the right direction.

Dear Lisa,

I am 54-years-old and I’ve been working in purchasing as a buyer for about 2 years.  I am really not happy with my company. Most companies ask for much more experience.  Any suggestions?

S.

Dear S.

To be honest, this is not a good time for you to be looking for another position. Try to be grateful that you have a job at all, and look for ways to make the best of it. Take on new challenges at work, try to find ways to do your job better, reach out to your colleagues and consider being more supportive of them. Make new friends at work and take full advantage of all benefits offered.

If all else fails, put on your 9-5 happy face, then immerse yourself in more satisfying extracurricular activities — take up a sport, a new hobby or volunteer for a cause you believe in. By the time the economy improves, you’ll have more experience and more connections.

I wish you all the best,

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I read about you on Oprah.com. Years ago I saw a business card of a costume designer that had a picture on it of her playing dress up when she was only about 4 years old.  It was a great card!  I took her idea and used my first grade picture–vintage 1960. It’s a typical black & white school photo with bad haircut and a face with a bad attitude.  People always laugh when they see my business card and  remember me.  It’s  a good conversation starter and ice breaker because everyone remembers their old school photos.

V.

Dear V.,

Dear Lisa,

I am 57 years old, currently unemployed, have redone my resume so many times for the position I’m applying for that it makes me dizzy.  I’ve worked for an actors union in NYC along with other corporate positions. Moved to GA 20 years ago and began working for private industry and non profit organizations. Now I don’t know where to begin AGAIN…not looking to rise to the top in a corporate structure, but need and want employment that makes me want to do it. At my wit’s end and have no idea what to do.  Any suggestions greatly appreciated and thank you for your time while I vent.

At Wit’s End

Dear At Wit’s End,

I feel your pain. The good news is that at this time in you’re life, when you don’t care about clawing your way to the top, you’re in a position to truly follow your passion. Take some time to really contemplate the following, and make three separate lists:

1. What is your passion? What are you drawn to? What do you like to read about? What always catches your attention?

2. What would you like to change in the world if you could?

3. What are you good at? What are your marketable skills? Do you have any special hobbies or talents?

Now start making connections and comparisons between the lists. You obviously have great administrative skills and an interest in non-profit. Perhaps you could go for an administrative position for a cause that really matters to you. Don’t be afraid to reach, dream and be creative in your thought process.

Then skew your resume yet again so that it applies to the field(s) you pick. Botox your resume by deleting graduation dates and any work experience that’s more than 15 years old (see below). To take it a step further, start a blog or a Facebook page that positions you as an expert in that particular field–both are free and fun! Add those links to your resume. You’ll appear hip and fresh, yet experienced — that’s an irresistible combination.

Best of luck!

Lisa

Dear Lisa,

I was employed at my last job for  22 years running a collection department at a law firm before getting laid off during a down-sizing that started at the top.

How do I downplay my age on my resume when clearly with a B.A. and all that experience under my belt I am not twentysomething? I already know not to list my date of graduation.  Any other ideas?

Marcie

Dear Marcie –

Have you tried deleting any work experience that dates back more than 15 years? You might have had some terrific accomplishments back then, but let’s face it, we did things completely differently 15 years ago — before digital everything, the internet, emails, etc.  Much of that work will not be relevant to what you’re doing today. Fifteen years of experience plus a college degree would put you in your mid-thirties, if anyone cares and is doing the math. And you’re being completely honest, so don’t worry about it. Your age is nobody’s business but your own.

Hi, my name is Tyler Mirkovich, and I specialize in sports broadcasting, having recently graduated from AIFL in broadcasting. I have been looking for a job since September of last year. I had a temporary part time job, but I have nothing at the moment. I am willing to look at any opportunity. I have been trying to put my information out on the web so I can possibly be noticed. PLEASE HELP. WHAT AM I DOING WRONG?
Please see my blog: www.mirkncaab.blogspot.com
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
Tyler Mirkovich

Greetings Tyler
First of all, let’s talk about what you’re doing right: You’ve put up a colorful blog and you’re adding to it frequently. That’s a great start! A blog is a fantastic way to show potential employers what you can do and can provide invaluable self promotion. Taking a look at your blog, however, it’s apparent that you’re not using it to it’s full advantage. There’s very little about you on it. I can’t find your full name nor your picture on the home page. I had to scroll way down to find a link to your bio, which has a great photo and some contact links, but very little about you– who you are, what you’re trying to accomplish, your qualifications, etc. You should be branding yourself all over that blog! Note the gratuitous ‘Lisa’ references and images all over this blog.

You’ll also want to work on the content a bit. Make the point of your blog clear, and let readers know that you provide them with something unique and valuable that they’ll never find anywhere else. The theme of your blog is a little vague. Try to figure out what readers want and give it to them, rather than writing just what you want to put out there. Also, watch your punctuation and be consistent with it throughout. If a prominent sports editor is searching the web for someone to write for his site, you want him to see that you can produce flawless content. Have someone proof your work before you post it, or let it sit for a few minutes, then come back and proof it again.

Now that you’ve got your content sharpened a bit, it’s time to bring on the traffic! Tweeting helps. Try Tweeting a tease, like “Who’s most dangerous in Sweet 16?” That will get them in. Also, so that you’re known in the sports community, start commenting on other prominent sports blogs. Become a known as someone who makes clever comments, and include a link to your own blog. Establish your unique identity and clever perspective all over the internet.

I’ll close with a very old fashioned suggestion for getting your name and talents out there. Believe it or not, I was a sports writer in college, was stringing for a wire service by the time I was a junior, and was offered a full time job with them when I graduated. How did I start? I volunteered to cover the less glamorous sports (women’s field hockey and men’s gymnastics) for the school paper. We had a Top Ten football team at the time, and after proving myself, I gradually worked my way up to cover that. That’s when the wire service noticed me. I would suggest offering to cover minor sports for your local newspaper, or for the website of your favorite local TV station, radio station or cable sports station. Get your foot in the door and make yourself invaluable.
Good Luck!
Lisa

Dear Lisa

What a time to graduate! I now have a Masters in International Relations, speak three languages fluently, have sent out more than 300 resumes, and gotten zero response. What should I do?

Justin

Dear Justin

My sympathies are with you. This is a tough time for recent grads. I’m not sure what your resume looks like, but I’d advise you to put your skills (especially your three languages) right at the top. At this point, your skills are probably stronger than your experience, so lead with your strengths.

Also, consider creating a position for yourself. This is a bold move, but has been known to work. If you have access to someone who you know who could use your specific skills, contact them and tell them everything you can do for them. For example, if someone approached me and told me they live in the LA area, have broadcast production experience, research experience and can speak Chinese, I’d hire them on the spot. I’m not going to take an ad out, but if someone came along with those qualifications, I couldn’t resist. There ARE people out there who are hiring right now, but you have to be super-resourceful to reach them and make an impression.

All the best!

Lisa

Dear Lisa

Rick

Dear Rick

It’s a good question you pose, and there are a number of schools of thought on the subject. The picture worked well for me because I’m in the media/creative field, and would often need to represent the company to the public in some way. I believe a picture would be superfluous on your wife’s resume if she’s in a less visually-oriented field, such as finance, medicine, tech, etc. In your wife’s case, as a high level executive assistant, I would suggest NOT adding the photo, but using that great photo you took on a blog that your wife composes, and putting the link to the blog near the top of the resume. If the HR rep clicks on it, that image will leave an impression, making her more than a block of type on a white page, and showing that she’s web savvy.

Best of luck to you and your wife, and congrats on being such a supportive husband!

Lisa