On the Exit Strategy

Suddenly, it seems safe to quit a job again.

It’s only Tuesday and already two dramatic exit strategies have captivated our attention.

First, there was the flight attendant who quit with a little bit of profanity and drama—grabbing a couple of beers and activating the exit slide on the jet way is guaranteed to make the press.

Then there was the employee who quit by sending an e-mail that exposed her boss—his reputed loose tongue and his web surfing habits--via a series of photos telling a story via dry erase board.(It turned out to be a hoax; the girl was an actress hired by the website The Chive.)

Both of these individuals already have garnered more Facebook “likes” for their efforts than most of us will in a lifetime. It will be interesting to see where they land. (I predict jail and then a reality show for the flight attendant.)

All of this makes me wonder: What’s the right way to exit a job?

The vision of "how I am going to quit" can make a great discussion topic. My mom and I laughed until it hurt while reading "And Then We Came to the End" when a co-worker left a piece of sushi behind in a hidden office space upon departure) But in reality, I don't think it's practical. Would you hire an employee who exposed her boss online? Would you trust her to handle matters requiring discretion and confidentiality?

I’ve always advocated for the ethical straight-forward approach: following employer conventions and requests on advance notice, and leaving clear instructions for the next person to occupy your seat. I've actually heard it said that we would have gone back to the moon by now if NASA had kept better notes on how we managed to land there before. Did you know one of the Apollo tapes was accidentally recorded over?

I believe that how you leave a job says as much about your professionalism as how you land your next one. Even if a job hasn’t been a pleasant experience, leaving is generally an opportunity to practice grace.After all, if you are headed towards a better fit—why dwell on a bad one? Or leave room for a bad recommendation later?

Recognizing that there are “50 Ways to Leave Your Employer,” what is your take on the exit strategy for the less-than-perfect job?

Chandlee

P.S. If you need help with your own exit strategy, let me know how I can help.

The Twitter for Job Search Guide is Here (Celebrate with Us!)

I'm delighted to announce that the Twitter Job Search Guide rolled off the presses on March 1, and is now available through Amazon, book stores, and other news outlets.

On Monday, March 15, at 6:00 pm, my co-author Deb Dib and I will host a formal launch for the book at El Rio Grande (38th and 3rd) in Manhattan. New York's original "Gossip Girl" Liz Smith recommends that you stop by, and we'd love to see you. Come as you are!

Deb, Susan Whitcomb, and I wrote this book for job seekers, and our launch party is no exception: the event is designed to facilitate networking for job seekers and provide "tweet tips" for attendees.

If you're not on Twitter yet--or have no intention of using Twitter to find a job--that's okay. But consider these stats: 

• Over 500,000 jobs are posted through TweetMyJobs a month. Through TweetMyJobs, you can specify your job interests and location preferences and have results sent directly to your cell phone.
• As posting jobs on Twitter is very low cost for employers in comparison with other job boards and posting services, an increasing number of employers are "tweeting" jobs. In addition, many recruiters and hiring managers maintain an active presence on Twitter to build relationships and scout for new talent.
• Indeed.com, one of my favorite aggregators and job boards, named Twitter the #1 fastest-growing opportunity for employment in 2009.

Check out the book and thanks for your support!

To your success,
Chandlee

Strategy for Getting "Unstuck" and Feeling Better: Watch Lemonade

Each month, I participate in the Career Collective, a community of bloggers who congregate to answer a common question. This month's question focuses overcoming the negative aspects of job search, and what to do when you're really, really, really discouraged about your unsuccessful job search.  

Here's my advice: block out 40 minutes in your calendar, and jump on Hulu. Yes, watching videos and tv may seem counter-intuitive, and it's not a strategy that I would normally recommend--especially since most research shows that people find jobs through human interaction and connection--and not by sitting on the couch!

But there's a valuable gem of a documentary online now that deserves to be seen, and which I think you may find inspiring:

The Lemonade Movie, was the brain child of Eric Proulx, founder of Please Feed the Animals, a blog for recently unemployed advertising professionals that includes job postings and facilitates community and "uncovers opportunity in unemployment."

Did you see Up in the Air, and experience pain and empathy as you watched the layoff process? I thought the movie was very well done, but found the raw emotion and job seeker's experience difficult to watch. Lemonade starts in much the same way, as individuals (many of whom Eric Proulx-- @ericproulx --  found through Twitter) share their lay-off story. It's depressing to say the least, and not unlike swallowing a sour lemon.

But then the Lemonade Movie goes on to show how these individuals created a second act for themselves--and how they found a greater sense of fulfillment in the process. The Lemonade Movie doesn't minimize the pain of the process, but it may provide you with some ideas for your own career reinvention--and help you get unstuck. And as a follow-up, you can set a minor goal for yourself--after you've landed in your next opportunity, you can share your own story of how you made lemonade on the site.

Curious on how to get there? Read these fresh perspectives from my colleagues in steps you can take now, and know that we have faith in you. In the words of "Sad Brad Smith" from Up in the Air soundtrack, Help Yourself

I know you'll help us
when you're feeling better...

..we're willing to wait on you
We believe in everything that you can do.

When life gives you lemons...check out these other posts from my Career Collective friends and colleagues.

Job Search Made Positive, @MartinBuckland @EliteResumes

Job Search: When It All Turns Sour, @GayleHoward

Help for the Job Search Blues, @heathermundell

10 Ways to Turn Your Job Search Frown Upside-Down, @heatherhuhman,

You Can Beat the Job Search Blues: 5 + 3 Tips to Get Re-energized, @KCCareerCoach

Light at the End of the Tunnel @WalterAkana

3 Ways to Keep Your Glass Half Full @LaurieBerenson

Don't Sweat The Job Search, @resumeservice

Mind Over Matter: Moving Your Stalled Search Forward, @careersherpa

Finding Opportunity in Quicksand, @WorkWithIllness

Job-Hunting in a Weak Job Market: 5 Strategies for Staying Upbeat (and Improving Your Chances of Success), @KatCareerGal

What to do when you are discouraged with your job search @keppie_careers

It's the little things @DawnBugni

Restoring Your Joy In Job Search, @ValueIntoWords

Just "SO VERY Discouraged…”, @jobhuntorg org

Making Job Search Fun (Yeah, That's Right!), @barbarasafani

How to overcome the negativity of the Job Search Blues, @GLHoffman

Dancing in the Rain--Kicking the Job Search Blues, @ErinKennedyCPRW

Dealing with Job Search Stress: Getting to the Source of the Problem, @expatcoachmegan

 

 

Why You Don't Want to Be Called a Seagull

Do you have friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who get in touch only when they need something? If yes, I'm willing to make a bet with you: You're not as close to them as you are to those who contact you just to check in.

My friend and colleague Rob Blatt is the kind of guy who checks in regularly,and is willing to share all he knows about social media, podcasting, and online content management strategy. He helps me stay current...and is an expert in social media etiquette.

Recently, Rob warned me about "seagulls" online. Seagulls are those people who only share their expertise when it serves their need. They have little regard for participating in community dialogue. And tend to ignore proper conventions. Here's a seagull in action.

The seagull in the video, "Sam" from Aberdeen, Scotland, was caught on videotape stealing numerous bags of cheese Doritos. The formal term for Sam's behavior--is "Kleptoparasitism" or the act of stealing food or other inanimate objects. Much like web surfers who usurp community discussions by changing the conversation to focus on themselves, Kleptoparasites "score" by stealing items they couldn't obtain otherwise--or by minimizing the time and effort required. They aren't nice.

Kleptoparasitism may have worked for "Sam," but it won't work for you as a job seeker. 

Here are three ways to avoid being called a seagull or--worse yet--kleptoparasite:

1. Express interest in other people, and show your appreciation.

See something you like online? Acknowledge where you saw it, praise it, and give proper attribution if you decide to share the idea. It may seem counter-intuitive to promote the ideas of others when you need to promote yourself, but it's good etiquette and shows that you are a team player.

2. Don't go "off the grid" in your response in online forums.

The best selling book "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" showcased the value of breaking ranks with the flock on occasion. As a job seeker, it's important to differentiate your skills and your interests. But this comes with a word of caution: Don't set yourself apart by violating community conventions.

If you are contributing to a website or blog with a particular area of focus--don't "hijack" the site with a completely unrelated topic. (Ever seen a LinkedIn Q & A forum or a blog post comment with a completely self-promotional response? It may boost traffic and awareness of your work--but it also makes you look like someone who can't follow directions and isn't interested in fully participating in discussions.)

3. Maintain a consistent presence--and engage. If you are using social media as part of your career management strategy, use it regularly--not just when you need something or have something to say. If you "fly in" only to serve a particular need--others will notice--and it will be more difficult to find help when you really need it.

These are my thoughts on how to avoid looking like a seagull, I'd love to hear yours...

Cross posted on Career Hub.