Tag: Assessment

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The Dumb Stuff That Gets You Fired

There is the regular stuff that gets you fired; this is about the dumb stuff.

First the regular stuff that causes you and your job to go different ways: position different than advertised, working relationship with boss or key clients never really worked out, company reorganization, you were too good in your role (and it scared people), you were not very good in your job (and it also scared people), somebody senior just didn’t like you, someone bought somebody else (and your job went away) or your company went out of business.… Read the rest

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Cheap Shots: Easy Ways to Make a Bad Impression

There are lots of ways to make a good first impression.

Here are some ways – all which happened recently – to make make a bad first, second, and continuing impression.

  • If you’re doing a phone interview, use a clear phone line, preferably one of those old fashioned landlines. Unless you’re someplace without lots of other people, or hills (tough to do in Northern California), geography or mobile user density may impact your call.
… Read the rest
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Tips for Getting New Business: Can You Hurry Love?

Over hot chocolate (Peet’s non-fat, no whipped cream) this week, the search headhunter – newer to that side of the desk after running executive recruiting for one the nation’s blue chip companies on the other side of the proverbial desk  –  asked the awkward question.

His candidate search work for engagements had been outstanding; his new business development success had been missing in action.… Read the rest

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Tips for CEOs, Boards and Company Builders: 7 Succession Mistakes to Avoid

The trickle down process is in high gear.

Steve Jobs takes a second medical leave and everywhere business people are scurrying around to do or dust off CEO succession plans.

The fact of the matter is most people avoid contingency planning (Tornado? What tornado?) like Republicans and Democrats avoid candid, authentic dialogue about taxing and spending realities. Succession – particularly at the most senior levels like the CEO – invites thinking about the unthinkable; things like death, firing, or getting “your guy/gal” at the top swiped by another competitor.… Read the rest