Bruno the Dog's Job Hunting Lesson - Latest from Job Hunting HERO Method

The following is an excerpt from my latest book on the Job HERO Method, 

 Get Your Copy HERE!

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In order to meet and defeat the challenges you are facing, you need to practice what you have learned before you go out to meet the employers.  First of all, practice what you are going to say.  

Do not take my word for it; 

consider the story of Stan and Bruno, the talking dog:

Stan, a man down on his luck and with little money, sat quietly with his dog Bruno in a park at favorite bench near the river.  Stan sighed and idly asked his dog what he wanted to do.   To his surprise the dog said “I bet you’d like to take a swim.  Hey, I’d like to join you.”  

Stan just stared as the silence between them grew.  The dog spoke again “Hey, those Yankees are doing pretty well, huh?  They have a great coach.”

“Bruno!  You can talk!  We’re going to be rich!!  A talking dog, yahoo!  We’re going to that talent agent downtown right now!”

Bruno said, “Hey, Stan, we should practice what we are going to say!”  
Stan said “no time to waste, we’ll just start talking – it will be great!”

They reached the office building with a huge sign reading "Cash in on your talent” on top, then walked down the long hallway of photos of stars and into the talent agent's office.
The agent said “this better be good, most animal acts are not worth my time. “

Stan: “No problem.  Hey Bruno, what is on top of this building?”
Bruno: “Roof!  Roof!”
The agent just stared.

Stan: “Let’s... let's try this one – Bruno.  Tell her about the hard times we have had, me without a job…”
Bruno: “Rough, rough”.
The agent said “One last chance or I throw you out.”

Stan:  “OK, OK, Bruno… you’re a big baseball fan, you love the Yankees, right?  Who is the greatest Yankee ballplayer of all time?”
Bruno smiled and proudly said “Ruth, Ruth!”
The agent kicked them out of her office. 

Stan and Bruno sadly walked back to their bench.  Bruno looked sadly at Stan and said “We really should have practiced. And I probably should have said Joe DiMaggio.”

Folks, don’t be like Stan – 

listen to your inner Bruno and always practice aloud the answers 

you may bring to an interview.

Building The Blog - Name Your Favorite Job Sites...

Updating!!
Real Estate Link Exchange Directory
Free link exchange and link building service for real estate themed websites.

1.  We are making a list of the favorite job hunting sites our readers know on the net... what are your favorite sites?

2. My wife Karen has joined the team in the Job Hunting HERO Method and "Valentine's Diner"!   She has been an integral part of putting up with my work but now is psyched to join in the workings.
Welcome, Karen!!

3. We are building our video library and looking to link with other blogs and websites dedicated to helping people win at that most frustrating part of life - job hunting...
If you would like to link to our sites, share our videos... just comment to this blog post.  Go ahead...

Relax and enjoy another video from the vault here at Valentine's Diner... have a blessed day.

George V 

Just In Time: Funny Valentine's Diner Job Hunting Videos

Happy Valentine's Week Eve!  To celebrate, here are some popular videos on the employer's point of view in your job hunt called :

Valentine's Diner

Enjoy!!

Is There Too Much Frosting On Your Resume?

Make Sure Your References Aren't Just ANIMALS

Ending With a Period...

FREE Workshop and Video #11: The Job Hunting HERO Method Edge

So What IS the Job Hunting HERO Method

and How Can It Give ME an edge?

For years I have watched as job hunters were becoming frustrated by resumes that did not tell of just how qualified they were for the jobs they wanted.

They were thinking like job hunters - 

worrying about their clothes in an interview, the fonts used in their resumes - 

and not thinking like the person who's opinion REALLY matters in the interview, 

the employer.  

They did not know the four essentials of any job and how to tell the employer 

how they excel in those areas.  

THAT is why I created the HERO Method and why 

it gives YOU the edge in your job search.  

                               Search for MORE "Job Hunting HERO Method" videos HERE! 

HEART:

If you have cared for a disabled or elderly person

if you can see and understand the perspective and expectations of another person 

then you have the heart to see the needs of an employer's clients. 

If you have part of a team - sports, projects, etc.

you can see the perspectives of other team mates.

Often you can see the point of view of others who 

may be stakeholders - see the video for more on this. 

Get YOUR copy of the HERO |Method Workbook HERE!

ENERGY:

If you have cared for a child late at night or 

worked an unexpected double shift or

 worked till you were tired then kept on going...

you may be able to show you have drive the employer is looking for. 

RE-LEARNING:

Are you elderly and had to adapt to new technologies?

Did you have to learn new medical information to help others, or yourself?

 HERE you show the employer that through work 

and/or personal experience you CAN 

learn effectively and can adapt as needs change.  

OWNING IT:

Have you taken responsibility for past mistakes?

Show that you have grown and changed from what you did in the past - 

left high school but earned your equivalency - 

broken the law but served your time - 

fill in YOUR errors HERE.

And be ready to show the next employer you will be conscientious for her. 

Search for MORE "Job Hunting HERO Method" videos HERE! 

Quick Lesson #9 - Need Help Interviewing? Get a (stuffed) dog!

Want help with your job hunt? Get a dog! (Or a stuffed bear...)

Come see what I mean in The latest Job Hunting HERO Method video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jtnyL02GdM

FREE Lesson #8 and Funny Video - Ending with a Period

Employer's Point of View - Lessons from a Seven Year Old. 

End with a period

Growing up with my big sister, we had that sibling rivalry thing down pretty well.   One day we were drying dishes together when she dropped a dish (kblambo) and it shattered on the floor.  Sh-sh-sh-shoomph she flew out of the kitchen like a low-flying jet. 

I bent over to pick up the broken dish when my mother walked in, angry about the kblambo she heard from the other room.  I explained to her with no real energy or conviction”well, my sister did it... She dropped it...  really...?”

Though I knew the truth (complete with sound effects), when I explained it, it sounded like I wasn't sure...?  Like maybe I was making it up...?

How does this help you?  Before seeing an employer, review what you plan to say about your skills/experience that will make you a valuable employee. 

Practice it out loud making certain you end statements with a period.  Like you know what you're talking about because you know you better than anybody else.

Remember: whenever an employer's mind wanders, it wanders away from you.  When something is open to misunderstanding NOT in your favor, that's generally the direction it will go because the employer tries to avoid guessing and tries to never guess wrong about hiring.  If you leave room for mind wandering, they will wander away from positive thoughts about you. 

How to keep them from wandering?  Know your points and express them with a period.   Only way to that is practice out loud.

Making It Work:

Review what makes you qualified for the job, your answers to the three main interview questions |(why hire YOU, why do you want to work for me and "tell me about yourself), your commercial, other aspects of the interview and sound confident, out loud with what you have to say.   Practice three times on three different days to get it right.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Check out other videos searching for job hunting HERO Method

Workshop 5 Essentials: Comparing yourself to Buddy...

Comparing Yourself to Buddy

You have great gifts and talents inside of you.  For those of you thinking 'hey, George, you don’t KNOW me, how can you be so sure?'  I know because I know “Buddy”.

Compare yourself to your favorite stuffed animal, like my favorite fictional person, Buddy - - a 'person' without ANY real skills or motivation (OK, he knows how to breathe in and out, but that is about it.)

From the days I taught preschool kids, I have loved the lazy bones who is “Buddy”.  Take a moment and picture him, folks.  He never went to school and has only hung around watching television, not developing any work skills, responsibilities, social skills or hobbies.   Now down to business...

Making It Work:

Below write down 25 ways you are different from Buddy.  

For a more advanced version, compare yourself to a 'Buddy' at your job, school or neighborhood  (Hint: you can spot him pretty easily at work, he acts a lot like the potted plants in the lobby).  Need help?

** List ways others have given you responsibility & you have performed well.  

** Write the skills you have gained, from playing guitar to cooking 

to not mixing darks & lights in the laundry.  

** Abilities for dealing with people, from selling cookies at fundraisers 

to giving compassion to others in their time of need.  

**   Ways you have proven being trustworthy (honest), loyal & brave (such as how you meet and beat the challenges you face each day).  

**  List how you have worked independently meeting goals/responsibilities.   

**   How do you respond to the needs of others? 

Remember when you babysat the terrible Tanner triplets 

and you all survived the night?  

Or when you had to learn about new medications 

your grandmother was on so you could better care for her?  

Or that school project you completed with others as a team? 

Have fun letting your mind wander when building your list.  Compare yourself to that stuffed animal or co-worker who never helps train other employees, never works overtime on short notice or working with difficult clients.  Keep in mind, how are you different from “Buddy” and do not worry about being too full of yourself because you are comparing yourself to a blank slate after all. 

Let your imagination roam to areas that may not seem job related, but that show your character and skills. 

Once you have listed the first 25 examples

add 20 more.

These set you apart from your job hunting competition.  Now put letters next to the items on your list:
H: Which ones are related to how you relate well to others?
E: Which relate to how you have energy and drive?
R: Which show your ability to learn things?
O: Which show you have integrity and honesty?

Keep this list handy, it will come up again in the Tool Kit and in preparing for your future.   Onward!

My ‘Buddy’ List

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4th FREE Workshop & Video - Are Your References Animals?!

Keep Your References From Becoming ANIMALS!

The Job Hunting Tool Kit provides the employer's point of view to help job hunters and the counselors and families that care for them.  
For now we return to Valentine's Diner with a message for you. 

I am George Valentine, owner of "Valentine's Diner", the best Diner on the 'net - here to give job hunters and counselors the point of view the employer - the only point of view that really matters in the job interview, right?  

Like references!  You would think an applicant would treat them well, but by the time I call them many have turned into animals. Here's how to keep this crushing mistake from happening to you.

First Up, the Owl!
Yesterday I got an applicant Willie Makit wanting a job at my diner.  First reference was Sadie Agen who quickly turned from a woman into an owl.  I mentioned Willie's name and she just kept saying "Whooooo?  Whooooo?" not recognizing his name.

It could have turned out better for Willie if he had tried to make Sadie feel like part of his success and keep her up-to-date on the job hunt.    He will get a job someday and Sadie could help him celebrate - but she's forgotten she is a reference and Willie has strike one.

Rough call
Next up is a woman named Betty Kant and she turned into a sheepdog!  I mentioned that Willie was hoping to work in a diner and I wondered if she thought it was a good or bad idea for him to work there.  I asked if working here would be a good fit for his skills and capabilities.  

She said "rough, rough".  After more thought about the fit, she said  "baaaad".

If Willie had talked with her of his experience and connected it with Betty to how his skills matched the work here at the diner, it may have worked but for now it is 'strike two'.

Fishy
Next reference looked encouraging, the Pepto Diner.  Quickly, the person I talked to there only mentioned date of hire and date of dismissal from the job.  Then that person turned into a fish!  All that person said was "glub, glub, glub".  No information at all.

I appreciate that in the 21st century, there will be employers hesitant to say more than this fish talk.  Willie should know that for ever one of these references, I need a real person.  Call that one a foul ball, still strike two.

Now I come to a fellow named Noah Wei, a personal reference.  When I called and asked about Willie's readiness to go to work, would he give a positive review?  Noah turned into a goat!  Every question was met with a "nahhhhh".  Come to find out that Noah was angry with Willie ever since he asked Noah to "use him as a reference".  In short, Noah felt just that way, used.

If only Willie had shown appreciation for his friend helping by taking an unannounced call from a stranger - that is what a reference does after all.  Take that as a lesson and show appreciation and don't strike out.

Making It Work:
Follow these four steps to keeping your references on your side - 

1. Keep your references up to date on your hunt and your efforts to find a job.  Don't say "no I did not find a job again today" but "here is where I am applying, I am still motivated". 

2. Related to that remember to tell people where you are applying and remind them of your experience with them as a helpful, thoughtful and valuable person.  

3. Know the employers who will give just the basic information.  You cannot change them but know that the next employer wants more so you will need another reference.

4.  Do not USE people as references but instead ask them to be part of your success.  Show them you appreciate their time and support even BEFORE you land that job. 

Now I have to go, I am all set to bring my grandson to the zoo to meet some real animals.   In the meantime, take my advice and keep your references connected, focused and appreciated.

JobHunting Tool Kit Essentials: Lesson 7 - |How to Use Your Cheeseburger Voice!!

Building Up Your Cheeseburger Voice

for your job hunt

Hear the tale of Little Johnny Uzzi in the funny video - 
Click here >>>   Building YOUR Cheeseburger Voice!!!

Using Your Cheeseburger Voice:

One of the great questions you need to answer before hunting is how to talk with a prospective employer while making a first impression. 

Your tone of voice needs to portray assertiveness and self-assurance.  Your voice should not sound pushy or boastful; be polite and respectful, but not too soft-spoken.  In short, be blended like a fine wine (not a whine).  

HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO GET IT RIGHT?

First of all, do not buy expensive job hunting books or hire speech coaches hoping that you hit just the right sound when talking to the employer.   It’s already inside of you.

Folks, you have that voice inside of you and here's how to use it:  Quick!  Raise your hand if you have ever ordered a cheeseburger (or soy burger for our vegetarian friends).   THERE!  THAT is the tone of voice you need!!   That commanding yet friendly tone is what you are hungering for.   Relax and picture yourself ready to order and say out loud “I want a cheeseburger.”  WOW! Say it again, slowly: “I want a cheeeeseburrrger.” 

Hey, you really mean it!  You said it straight up, plain and seriously.  Sounds like you aren't leaving this place without that cheeseburger.  Hey, you are not making excuses or apologies for what it is you want to say.  You are not bragging or angry, just direct.

You want to get the right tone in talking with the employer?  Use your cheeseburger voice from saying hello to getting through the interview:

•        it's sensitive without being whiney

•        it gets your point across easily

•        it doesn't frighten or put-off employers

•         it’s a well-known and accepted tone and it gets the burger every time.

The cheeseburger voice helps you in other areas (like “getting past the bull dog”, “ending with a period” and “don't think like a job hunter”).  For now, practice it & enjoy it. With relish.

Making It Work:

Practice this tone of voice. Try saying other things you will be saying with that tone, like “I want to see the employer” or “I have the experience you are looking for.”  Make a list of 15 statements you will want to say to the employer and other statements you want to make to friends/teachers/coaches then practice them with that cheeseburger voice of yours.

1.)--------------------------------------------------2.)--------------------------------------------------3.)--------------------------------------------------4.)--------------------------------------------------5.)--------------------------------------------------6.)--------------------------------------------------7.)--------------------------------------------------8.)--------------------------------------------------9.)--------------------------------------------------10.)-------------------------------------------------11.)-------------------------------------------------12.)-------------------------------------------------13.)-------------------------------------------------14.)-------------------------------------------------15.)-------------------------------------------------

Practice your cheeseburger voice with friends, a stuffed animal, anywhere you can hear the sound of your own voice.  More on this later.