Cynthia Clark: Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors Guest Speaker!

Mahwah Library is a beautiful library and the perfect place for a job searching event.

Cynthia Clark, President of Career Quest Coaching was kind enough to give a presentation to Neighbors-Helping-Neighbors on Political Campaign tactics that can be used by job seekers. The next few blogs will cover those lessons used by some of the most aggressive hunters of our country.

The ultimate job searchers are the politicians. No one is under more scrutiny, no one is interviewed more, no one is more alert to the dangers and pit falls of the wrong response to a question even if it is a terrible one. There are no illegal questions and the discrimination they can face include not only age, but certain kinds of dress, their skin color, their eye color, even the very sound of their voice.

The reasons for their rejecting can be petty, unimaginably dumb. They can also be terribly easy to avoid. The politician on campaign and in political office is on stage every day, longer than any other job seeker and remains on stage after the campaign has ended.

What can we draw from them, what can the unemployed or under employed learn from these people who willfully subject themselves to this kind of circus, the abuse, take the chance of total and complete humiliation?

Looks- They matter, but not to the level that the politico must endure. The job seeker needs to remember the following:

1. Look the part- Dress well and appropriately

2. A firm handshake- One of the most important lessons in life. This shows confidence, intelligence, focus and enthusiasm.

3. Show energy and confidence-Mind tricks. When you are in the waiting room, sit upright and cross your legs. Do this during the interview. When the interviewer comes out, stand up and approach; introduce yourself and extend your hand. A note about the crossing of the legs: It is a sign of confidence and to do that in a strenuous situation like an interview is to trick the brain into thinking confidence.

4. Do NOT give a single gram of Care-If you look like you are desperate, they are going to think you are. The best politicians never worry about the election itself, they focus on what they can control: Their performance, their appearance, their handshakes and, of course, eye contact.

5. Eye contact: Look right into their eyes, right into their soul. This shows that you are awake, alive, and very interested in what is going on and, of course, interested in them. Combine this with the above mentioned, throw out the fear and you will have a memorable performance, possibly even land a job.

Here is the contact information of the speaker. She has had years of recruiting and coaching experience and has been described as a power house of information. I was personally impressed by her energy and her knowledge as well as her positive attitude and sympathy to those who have suffered so much during these hard years.

Cynthia Clark
President
Career Quest Coaching, Inc.
www.cynthiaclarkconsulting.com
201-263-9069

 
NhN Mission

NhN is a network of volunteer peer support groups that follow a community-based approach to help under-employed and unemployed residents get back to work.  NhN embraces a ‘pay it forward’ ethos, asking all associates to contribute to other members by sharing job search techniques, related professional career development resources, personal referrals and generally providing a forum where members feeling empowered, energized and focused on the job search.

Goals
• Provide compassionate, nonjudgmental support to members through networking, coaching, leadership experience, and camaraderie.
• Partner with community business leaders to match members with job openings and volunteer and or paid consulting opportunities.
• Expand network reach throughout local communities where there is a need and interest in the New York-New Jersey metro area and the eventual expansion into other states.

Core Behaviors
• Be positive in approach and encourage others to remain positive when facing the inherent challenges of the job search.
• Be compassionate and firm, as needed, to maintain productive meeting atmosphere and consistent results orientation.
• Be active in respective home towns by developing the group and its role in each community.
• Take the extra step to help members by sharing personal network and job leads.