Principal Relationships: From the first interview to the final goodbye

Donna ShannonApril 12, 2014720-452-3400

www.PersonalTouchCareerSerivces.com

The Personal Touch Career Services

• Our Mission: To help job seekers of all levels achieve their employment goals through solid, practical advice and services

• Resume services, interview coaching, job search strategy and group classes

• Over 8 years in corporate recruitment & placement

• Donna’s book, “How To Get a Job Without Going Crazy” is available on Amazon.com and the Tattered Cover in Denver

(c)2010, 2012 Donna Shannon

4 Key Time Periods

• Before contacting employers• During the job search• Course of Employment• Maintenance after the job ends

BEFORE CONTACTING EMPLOYERSKnow thyself

Positive Relationships Start with You

Love it Like it Live with it Loathe itI would happily

do more of this…I enjoy this… I can do this, if it

is essential for the job…

I would give anything to not

have to…

Communicate Clearly

• Skills section on resume:– Best way to start managing expectations– Don’t list anything you don’t want to do– Biggest problem areas: cooking, cleaning and

laundry

Resume Expectations

IMPORTANT INTERVIEW TACTICSDetermining a right fit

Applying Your 4L’s

• If sensitive issue in your Love / Like / Live /Loathe activity, be sure to ask about it

Use reflective questions

• Reflective questions dive back into the job description or something previously said by the other party:

– “You said there was some laundry involved – how much do you anticipate?”

– “I understand you would like some meal preparation: is this for the family, or just the children?”

Align or distance

• Style questions can reveal a good match:– “What is the most important quality in your ideal

nanny?”– “What did you like best about your previous

nanny?”– “What did you like the least?”

Red Flags

• Watch the way you are treated during the interview:– Common courtesy– Length of interview– Reaction to your questions

GET IT IN WRITINGNegotiations and Contracts

Negotiations

• IF working with agency, always defer to them for negotiations:– “As I am being represented by ABC Nannies, I

would prefer if you spoke to them about my salary requirements”

Know your value

• It’s NOT what the market will bear

Experience Expertise Education Value

Say your value

• “I am seeking a salary of $_______ to _________, with some flexibility based on benefits– Say it with confidence– ALWAYS talk in terms of RANGE until in final

negotiations– DON’T say anything else until the other party

speaks

Contracts

• For protection of all parties• Nebulous contracts = nebulous relationships

• Hours per day/ week• Pay rates, Vacation/ sick policy

• If concerns in the 4L’s, address it• Prepare children’s meals during the day• Housekeeping for children’s areas, limited to 5-10

hours/ week

DURING EMPLOYMENTHow close is too close?

Social Media

• Employer standards:– Some DO want it as a way to stay in touch with

children’s development and activities– Others DON’T want it to maintain privacy

– Consider a Fan Page for parents to limit access to your personal page

Social Media Comfort Level

Closedonly connected with family and personal friends

Middle will connect with friends-of-friends, openly follows fan

pages or companies

Open accepts multiple

connections, sends requests to others,

plays games openly, reposts from followed

pages

Social Media Awareness

• EVERYBODY can be found• Don’t create awkward situations…• Watch login times and when posting to

manage impressions

Boundary problems

• Once a boundary is breached, if nothing is said or done, it will be breached again

• Documentation can help both sides

Incident Log

Date Incident What happened Action

4-1-14 Stayed 2 hours late No word from Mrs. that I needed to stay- late from work

Stayed until 8 pm when Mrs. arrived

4-4-14 Stayed 2 hours late No call from Mrs., running late from work

Stayed until 8 pm

If consistent problem arises and is verified with documentation, need to set up time to speak with employers about negative trends and how to get back on track with the terms from your contract.

Approach with a solutions-based attitude to avoid finger pointing and other defensive actions on either part.

ENDING THE RELATIONSHIPWhen it’s time to go

Confidential Job Search

• Critical phrase for cover letters:

– “As my job search is confidential, please do not contact my references without my permission.”

Exit Strategy

• Tell employers when interviews are heating up• Grant 2-4 week notice• Have written procedures on how to train the

next person (in case you are already gone)

Letters of Recommendation

• More than an employment verification, these capture the essence of what you did– Specific details = credibility– Address tasks as well as personality– Collect recommendations on LinkedIn

Maintaining the Relationship

• Make conscious effort to stay in touch with past employers:– Holiday cards– Children’s birthday cards– Social media contacts (if comfortable for both

parties)– Call when job searching, just to let them know of

potential reference calls

QUESTIONS

Final Thoughts

• Control your career• Move towards your Loves and Likes • Escape the tasks you Loathe• Manage relationships with clear

expectations- on both sides

The Personal Touch Career Services

Donna Shannon, President & CEO

www.PersonalTouchCareerServices.comdonna@PersonalTouchCareerServices.com720-341-8229

www.LinkedIn.com/donnashannonTwitter: @DLShannonNetworking on Meetup.com (Denver/ Lakewood area):

The Brown Bag Job Search Group