Office Politics: When to stand your ground and when to be diplomatic

Rather than posting another how-to article, I'd rather hear from you the reader about your questions regarding working in a multinational and the troubles or challenges you have encountered in your time there. This post our topic will be: Office Politics. Knowing how to navigate relationships, be strong, but not too strong when you encounter difficult individuals, or even knowing how to tolerate those little things that drive you nuts not only can help you advance in your career, but even provide opportunities in other organizations or avoid the ax when the time comes for your company to cut staff. What questions do you have or encounters you wish you knew how to handle before they got too crazy?

Electronic Resumes: Who's really reading them?

For years I thought that when I attached a resume to job posting site, or online job listing it was read by someone. Maybe not printed and physically held, but at least read, and taking the non-response or passing over of my resumè sometimes was a hit to my ego. "What was wrong with I wrote?", I would ask. Sometimes, it's not you, it's the candidate selection software. Like a bad date, many times companies use software that only looks specifically for a certain number of things it likes, and if it doesn't detect these keywords out goes your application from the pool. It's nothing personal, but there is something you can do as a great candidate to get your foot in the door and actually get your resumè read.

The key is research the company, their target market, and most importantly what other candidates for that role would posses in regards to skills, experience, languages you can program in or speak. Now this may sound dishonest, but if you are honest with the keywords you select for this technique, there won't be any ethical issue: type all these words, even if you have already used them in writing your resumè, at the bottom of your resume and make them the smallest possible font you can. This normally would look like a bunch of garble, and would make no sense to you or me except as a list of keywords. However, for the software the employer uses, this will look like a gold mine of information about what you can do. Your call back rate for first interviews will greatly increase, and then you will have your chance to really sell yourself.

Just make sure to remove that line of keywords from your resume before you print it, because it will still be able to be read if your interviewer looks closely enough. Happy job hunting!

References: Who to use and who to avoid

Submitting References

If you are looking for a new job, most times they will ask for references. This can be a difficult decision as you may be unsure of what they will ask, and what your reference will say. Of course you could ask friends and/or family, but the employer will ask their relationship to you, so it may be a bit suspicious if your reference has never worked with you, and what mother/wife/husband/best friend would say anything bad about you?

The key for references is two pronged: A positive opinion of you, and has experience working with you while appearing impartial. Personal references, those who haven't worked with you can be useful though, if you haven't had experience, or are still in or just coming out of university. These personal references can include professors, people you have volunteered with, etc.

Writing the Letter

Sometimes your reference will be busy, or feel that you are a great worker/individual and will say, "Write the letter and I'll sign it for you." I have had this happen before, and believe me it can be as troubling as finding a reference to begin with. What will they agree to saying? What if you exagerate accidentally? Take a breath... it'll be ok!

Just write about your experience with the reference, the projects you've worked on, how long you've worked together, and include the phrase: "I am happy to recommend [insert your name] for this position." This not only allows the reference to not be committed to your opinion beyond what they would want to say, but also sounds genuine, which is key in references.

Lastly, when you provide the letter for signing, or ask for a letter of reference, provide the envelope with postage (if you are mailing the letter) and ask them to signature seal it. This is when they sign their name over the seal of the envelope, which will show that the letter is not only professional, but also that you are not aware of what they wrote.

Resumè versus Reference

References will play a key part in your job search. Even when you are looking to move up in a company or transfer to another division or role, references will be key. Not only will they reinforce your background and education, but they will set you apart from those who have similar or better experience. All too often in the job market, some individuals try to lie on their experiences. This is not common, but it happens enough that employers will double check. Having strong references will speak loudly to your integrity, and many times will seal the deal for your work. The job market is competitive everywhere, set yourself apart!

What is a bootcamp?

When I first began looking for employment in Bogotà, the most common response I would receive is: "Your portfolio is great, and we'd love to hire you, but...". Usually following that but was some variation of, "you don't speak Spanish well enough." Too often I hear the same from friends of mine, who speak Spanish fluently, and yet haven't mastered English.

They can speak it well enough in a social setting, but when it comes to writing a cover letter, resumè, or giving a presentation they struggle. That's what made me think about what I learned in my preparation for the job market in the US, and what I could bring to the Colombian market to give others the same edge I feel now. That is where Business Bootcamp of Bogotà comes in.

The first question you may ask is, "What is a bootcamp?" No, I am not going to have you wearing an army uniform, doing exercises in the mud and screaming at you. If you enjoy that, then maybe we can work something out, but in the business sense, this "bootcamp" is working with you one-on-one to go over your cover letters and resume, tailor them for the industry and position you are targeting, understanding what your strengths are and how to show those off, and what your weaknesses are and how to over come those to get the job you deserve.

If you want to excel in your work, and become the best you can be with your bilingual skills, contact me at cconrad0825@gmail.com and we'll set up a consultation to begin the process to a better professional you!