Are You Powering Your Company?

During the 2016 presidential primaries, former Florida governor Jeb Bush was mocked by one of his more animated opponents for being far too low energy. Isn't it funny how we can just look across at someone and immediately recognize some feature about them that stands out. In this case - to many debate observers - Jeb Bush came across as very sedate, reserved and largely introverted (certainly not exuberant and excited), as compared to some other primary candidates. At times, he seemed (excuse the pun) "bushwhacked" by other candidates with quicker whit jabbing away at him with zingers and counter-punches.

High Energy Comes in Different Shades

Not all high energy people look and act exactly the same. Some may exhibit a strong physicality and display a great deal of "fitness;" while others come across as having strong outgoing personas, forceful minds and high endurance. They seem to power the whole room with their presence and exude a great deal of positive energy with every statement they make and action they take. Others feed off of high energy people and want to be around them more than slackers, "Debbie Downers" or those simply going through the motions - each day - without displaying one ounce of passion.

Amusement Park Ride Operators Always Seemed So Detached and Disinterested

I remember as a child, the ride operators at amusements parks. I thought of most of them as very sad clowns. Their faces often showed total boredom and disinterest in their jobs and they often seemed unfazed and disconnected from the joy being experienced by excited riders, young and older. So much fun being met with so much lack of emotion seemed so contrary to what might be expected in an entertainment environment.

When I ran a boardwalk water gun game as a teen on the Asbury Park Boardwalk (NJ), I was just as excited for my game contestants as they were during each game. I hooted and howled and encouraged them to win. I was so happy to be part of their fun and enjoyment and it obviously showed. The more joyful they saw me, the more games they wanted to play and the more money they would spend playing.

My youthful high energy level carried into and throughout my entire adult, professional life. I'm now 60 and I doubt I will ever change. In fact, I may be even more high energy today than I was in those earlier years. Why? Because I love who I am; love what I have; and love what I do. And, I love people and am thrilled to be part of their joy, excitement and love for life.

Even after Esophageal Cancer surgery back in 2005, I was the patient the nurses preferred to wheel around the floor to talk to others, who already considered themselves goners. They called me the "Mayor," because I brought smiles to so many faces and hope to my fellow cancer patients when telling them that their disease was beatable and life could still be good AFTER cancer. As tired as my surgically-scarred, chemo- ravaged and blood-shorted body was, I still emoted to others with high energy and it brought hope and smiles to everyone around me.

They say "laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Cry and you cry alone." There is so much truth to that. It speaks just as much to having a positive attitude rather than a negative one and a high energy personality rather than that of a mope. People just prefer being around others who lift them up and make them feel good.

High energy is contagious, too. In the workplace, it is even more desired by employers, because high-energy coupled with overall competence is a wining formula for success.

To Exhibit High Energy, You Must First Be High Energy

To exude high energy, you must first be a high energy type. Not everyone is. You must be passionate about things that matter to the people around you. If you don't enjoy playing golf, chances are you will not be as strong a golf club salesperson as someone who does. And, if you love golf and sell those golf clubs, you are probably someone who can easily let his or her excitement about it show through. Guarded people have much difficulty letting go and showing their innermost joy to others.

It's no sin to be reserved and more controlled than others. Some people are much too high energy and blow back those that are more introverted and have a more difficult time trying to process the waves of incoming personal energy coming right at them. This can be a problem, too. There ARE business roles for lower energy people (often introverts), where they find themselves in "back office jobs" not requiring much personal contact with others. But, let's not forget that most employers still expect some degree of high energy from every employee, especially when it comes to worker productivity.

When it comes to measuring your own energy level or accepting criticism from other regarding what they see from you, just remember the following: If you move at a snail's pace, you get much less accomplished than a race horse already in the winner's circle.Strive to be that race horse as much as you can.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer, Edgewood Properties (Company), or any other entity of the company or ownership.

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Want to learn about Property Management Job Openings? Go to: www.edgewoodproperties.com/careers.

Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CareersatEdgewoodProperties

Author Bio: Marc LeVine is currently employed by Edgewood Properties as its full-time corporate recruiting specialist; charged with building an employment function from the bottom up, staffing the company and developing and administering full-cycle employment policies and procedures.

In collaboration with corporate marketing and internal systems, Marc functions as architect of an employment branding strategy designed to establish an employee value proposition message fashioned to attract, reward and retain talent.

A highly sought after Digital Strategist for e-Recruiting, Writer, Speaker & Social Media Consultant & Trainer, Marc has a diversified background in BOTH B2C and B2B Social Media initiatives, Marc uniquely bridges Recruiting Strategy,Targeted Objectives and ROI with Social Media, Recruiting & Staffing, Digital Media, Public Relations and Traditional Marketing Initiatives.

Mr. LeVine is also a respected thought-leader, whose popular Social Media Blog has caught the attention of many major trade publications interested in publishing his insightful works.Mr. LeVine is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and previously served as Director of Social Media Marketing for RiaEnjolie, a division of InfoPro Worldwide, Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the former operator of Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and NJ101.5, as well as General Manager for Brickforce Staffing.

Specialties:RECRUITING/STAFFING* e-Recruiting & "Employer of Choice" Strategies

You may reach Marc at 732-985-1900 x1140 or by email at mlevine@edgewoodproperties.com.

Sometimes, What is New Should Be Old Again - Especially, Making a Good First Impression

Many of today's job applicants need to go back to the future.  It is quite apparent that human collective consciousness does not include anything about accepted job seeking protocol. In fact, important things that used to be taken for granted in job interview preparation are being forgotten or - perhaps - are even being ignored.  

The actions and behaviors; no one can claim are millennial-appropriate for 2015 or any other year, decade or century.  They are immutable for all time in human interactions surrounding first impressions, including those of interviewing.

Case in point.  It has always been advised that job seekers dress appropriately for the type of position they are applying for.  No one should ever criticize a male laborer applicant for interviewing in a clean pair of khaki's and open collared shirt (rather than a formal business suit).  Likewise, a well-groomed woman applying for a bookkeeper position is often welcome to appear in a nice skirt and blouse without a suit jacket.  Then, there are the unacceptable extremes!

More often than ever, some of my colleagues and I are seeing women and men dressed to interviews as if they just emerged from a mosh pit at a heavy metal rock concert.  Revealed tattoos and body piercings; low cut tops and micro mini skirts; and grungy jeans are no ticket to a second interview. Hair hanging in one's face and walked off shoe heals are not, either.  What are some people thinking?  Obviously, they are not.

Cleanliness, tidiness and respectable appearance are still the rules of the day in every single case. Why?  because, you will always only get one chance to make a good impression.  Humans are just wired this way.  We view and we quickly judge one by their personal appearance.

Another recent trend is that so many job applicants are heading out to their interviews without hard copies of their resume. Apparently, they are assuming that because they applied electronically the recruiter will have sufficient copies on hand. We all know about "assuming." Perhaps, the employer's printer isn't working on a given day or the interview is taking place far away from his or her office? People need to be prepared for surprises.

Too many of today's interview candidates are also arriving at interviews having not visited the employer's website even once. Many know little or nothing about the company they supposedly want a job at.  In addition, even fewer have prepared any intelligent questions they would like to ask the employer. "What are you paying" and "how many days do I get off" are not good substitutes for "what are some of your company's biggest challenges" and "what qualities are you looking for in a successful job candidate for this position?"  See the point?

What is a hiring employer to think about all this lack of thoughtfulness and preparation? After all, if this is the kind of preparation someone puts into getting a job, what kind of thoughtfulness and preparation will they put into doing the work, itself?

PEOPLE!  Ask yourselves this?  Would you hire you?  If you say "YES" ask yourself that question again and ask yourselves if you really have done everything in your power to deserve such an important offer.

_______________________________________________________

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in his private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of his employer, Edgewood Properties (Company), or any other entity of the company or ownership.

_______________________________________________________

Want to learn about Property Management Job Openings?  Go to:www.edgewoodproperties.com/careers.  Like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CareersatEdgewoodProperties

Author Bio:

Marc LeVine is currently employed by Edgewood Properties as its full-time corporate recruiting specialist; charged with building an employment function from the bottom up, staffing the company and developing and administering full-cycle employment policies and procedures. In collaboration with corporate marketing and internal systems, Marc functions as architect of an employment branding strategy designed to establish an employee value proposition message fashioned to attract, reward and retain talent.

A highly sought after Digital Strategist for e-Recruiting, Writer, Speaker & Social Media Consultant & Trainer, Marc has a diversified background in BOTH B2C and B2B Social Media initiatives, Marc uniquely bridges Recruiting Strategy,Targeted Objectives and ROI with Social Media, Recruiting & Staffing, Digital Media, Public Relations and Traditional Marketing Initiatives.

Mr. LeVine is also a respected thought-leader, whose popular Social Media Blog has caught the attention of many major trade publications interested in publishing his insightful works.

Mr. LeVine is a proud graduate of Syracuse University and previously served as Director of Social Media Marketing for RiaEnjolie, a division of InfoPro Worldwide, Director of Human Resources for Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and NJ101.5, as well as General Manager for Brickforce Staffing.

Specialties:

RECRUITING/STAFFING

* e-Recruiting & "Employer of Choice" Strategies

You may reach Marc at 732-985-1900 x1140 or by email atmlevine@edgewoodproperties.com.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

HOW TO KEEP THE JOB NOW THAT YOU ARE HIRED 

A company's decision to hire you is an indication that you have the ability to become a productive and valued employee. As a new employee, your goal is to prove by performing well in the job that the company made a good hiring decision. Job retention will depend on good job performance. Moreover, future salary increases, promotion, and job/professional development are linked to how well you perform in the job and fit in with the company.

In this guide, we offer some suggestions on how you can keep your job after you have been hired.

• Use good work habits 
• Maintain a good attendance record. 
• Notify your boss of any absence. 
• Inform him or her beforehand if you have to leave early, come late, or take a longer lunch hour. Arriving promptly each day is important. 
• Staying late does not compensate for tardiness. Your not being there at the start of the day may interfere with others being able to do their jobs. 
• Be willing to work overtime to meet deadlines. 
• You want to convince your supervisor and co-workers that you are a hard and willing worker. 
• Keep your immediate work station or area clean and organized. 
• Follow your company's safety rules and practices in the workplace in order to avoid accidents and injuries. 
• Dress appropriately Dress in a way that suits your job. Look around during your initial interview and notice how people in the company dress. When in doubt, be conservative and wear simple clothes until you get to know what is accepted. 
• Learn your new company's values, norms, and culture Companies tend to always hire in their own image. If you were chosen, someone must have thought you would fit in with the values, norms, and culture of the company. 

The burden is on you, then, to learn the jargon, the way of thinking, and the operating style of the company.

Values - general ideas about what is good and bad
Norms - specific expectations about how people should behave in certain situations
Culture - the prevailing system of values and norms Jargon- industry specific language, usually technical in nature

Plan and prioritize your work. Teaching yourself to work intelligently, rather than long and hard, requires planning. More time spent in planning up front saves time at the other end. A good plan involves an honest analysis of your situation, written objectives, specific steps or ways of obtaining these objectives, and a follow-up evaluation. No plan will work unless you learn to prioritize.

Order your daily objectives or work and keep that focus. When you don't know, ask. There is no such thing as a "stupid question." Your supervisor wants you to become productive as soon as possible. A productive person is regarded as a good employee. One of the most common causes of poor job performance is employee fear of asking questions.

Follow your company's telephone guidelines Be sure to follow your new company's policies or special format when answering incoming or making outgoing calls. Avoid making and receiving personal calls, unless absolutely necessary. If they are required, keep them short.

Learn about your company's activities Read your company's memorandums and news releases, as well as its annual and quarterly reports. The more you understand about your company's total business, the better you can understand how your job fits into others' jobs and the more successful you are apt to be in developing or generating cost-saving procedures/policies for the company.

Show enthusiasm Energetically support company goals and objectives. If you were a supervisor, would you like someone who seemed interested in what he or she did for a living? Know job performance expectations Job performance expectations should cover the range of job duties and responsibilities assigned to you. Performance expectations focus on the goals or objectives you are to achieve in the job and describe the conditions that constitute satisfactory job performance. Both your supervisor and you (employee) "must" have the same perception of what job performance is expected.

In your orientation session with the supervisor, job performance expectations should be discussed and clearly understood. Evaluate your job performance Generally, the results of your job performance can be measured using four factors: Quantity, Quality, Cost and Timeliness. Quantity - How much did I accomplish or produce? How does that compare to what was expected? Did any circumstances beyond my control affect the amount of results achieved - either positively or negatively? Quality - How good were the results? How does actual work done compare to the quality expected? Cost - What costs were incurred in the process of achieving the results? Consider such things as materials, tools, and services. Timeliness - Is work completed on time? If not, why not? Are delays due to circumstances beyond my control or are the delays because of poor planning and organization? This type of self-appraisal (which may be done daily, weekly, or monthly) will help you evaluate your job performance.

Most supervisors will measure or evaluate job performance using a similar approach and give specific feedback on how your performance is viewed by the company. Expect job performance to be monitored With job performance expectations established, the next step is progress monitoring by your supervisor.

Monitoring your performance may include:

• Personal inspection - going to the work area to inspect products being produced or personally reviewing letters, reports, studies etc., generated in an office setting 
• Progress reviews - private oral review, group oral review, or written review is often used to monitor employees on special assignments or projects 
• Client contact by the supervisor - when services to another part of the organization or to outside companies are provided Record keeping as well as monitoring your PC, e-mail, and phone use 

Enhance your value to the organization by improving or learning new job skills Take and complete company-sponsored training programs and post-secondary courses, as well as attend skill workshops and seminars.

Membership in professional associations may provide firsthand information through publications, newsletters, and meetings on emerging trends or technology in your field of work or industry and may help in developing business contacts.

Other tips for helping you keep your job:

• Listen, watch, and learn your supervisor's priorities and make them yours. 
• Make it your business to get along with your co-workers and be a good team player. 
• Look for opportunities to take on new responsibilities. 
• Be aware that incompetency, stealing, or alcohol/drug abuse will usually result in a company terminating your employment. 
• Avoid workplace romances. 

Don't Play to Win - Play to Succeed, When You Are Looking For A New Job

Some people can be competitive in every endeavor in which they participate. They fight hard to win at sports, cards, grades, income, social standing and in just about any other where someone can come out on top. Guess what?  People compete for jobs, too!  They do not just compete against the competition; but more importantly the honed skill of the interviewer(s).  Perhaps, it's just human nature for many of us to "play to win" every time we perceive something as a game.

Here's the problem, when gaming meets careers.  Job candidates often forget that not only are they being interviewed for a particular job, but that they are also interviewing the employer about the same job opportunity.  That's right.  A job is a two way street.  You must fit the company's job description for the job; and the company culture must be an equally good fit for you.

Marrying the prettiest girl in the room is no guaranty that the marriage will last.  Perhaps, you and she have differing values, likes and dislikes.  You may have wooed and won her, but beyond the expensive night out and long stem roses, is the devil waiting to rear his ugly head.  Ever hear the expression, "be careful what you wish for?"  This is the kind of failed situation that was being talked about when that phrase was coined.

So, you like the challenge of beating an experienced interviewer at his or her game?  You like making him/her sweat? They ask their toughest questions and you know how to get around each one of them; turn the negatives into positives; and avoid bad-mouthing your past manager - though you really want to tell all the world what a jerk he was.  To what end is all of this maneuvering and positioning, anyway?  What's the end game?  What's the prize?

The job involves lots of travel; working many weekends; and dealing with irate customers most of the time.  You know you have had jobs like this one before and they haven't worked out.  What makes you think this one will be any different?

But, there is that great feeling that comes with "winning" the job offer and knowing you were the best one competing for the job.  But, stop a second to think.  Is every job worth having and is taking a bad job now, better than walking away and going after those better suited to your interests and skills?

Yes...DO be careful what you wish for and stop trying to win prizes you don't really want to put on your mantle.

You Can Mumble Your Way Right Out of Employment Consideration

Have you heard the new "Mathnasium" tutoring school radio commercials where students of various ages laud the school for helping them get better grades?

The first student sounds like a little 9 or 10 year old girl, who clearly and powerfully announces, "I LOVE coming to Mathnasium."

That's followed by two teenage girls, who also speak clearly and eloquently  about the reasons they attend Mathnasium.  "I want to be best in class," explains one.

Why they chose to include the last student, I can't figure.  Her valley-girl mumbling is almost indecipherable as she blurts out something about "My parents @#%@%@% ask me hey how'd you get an A on that test...?  I say I go to Ma#^#^##^#^."  Sounds like her parents really needed to send their daughter to Speaknasium, instead of Mathnasium.

Perhaps, this young mumbling student gets a pass for her age, but I have to tell you that mumbling is a chronic problem for many jobseekers in their twenties, thirties and beyond.  In fact, it is also quite apparent that leaving clear and understandable phone messages for and speaking properly with employers is a real problem for a lot of job applicants.

I can't tell you how many times job candidates call or leave me messages starting off with blurting out their names so fast and garbled that there is no way of me telling who is calling.  PLEASE, help yourselves by making sure you speak clearly and slowly into the telephone, especially when it comes to letting the person on the other end, who is calling; for what reason(s); and how you can be reached to return the call.

Furthermore, if you are calling a company recruiter to follow up on a resume you may have submitted (sometimes, many months ago) or even after a recent quick and casual meeting, please give some thought to that person possibly not remembering you, since he or she meets and speaks to dozens of job seekers each day.

Believe it or not, I get two or three phone calls daily that go something like this: "Hey Marc! This is Fr@#@%@% (no last name given) what did you think of my resume?"  Like his or hers was the only resume I received that day!?!  Sorry. At least, give me a hint as to who you are and for what position you are applying BEFORE you get into the "I'm your newest best friend" speech that inevitably follows.  I love meeting new people and care about and respect everyone I meet, but this "too familiar" stuff really makes it difficult to discuss possible employment in a professional way. Slow down when you speak and don't think you can "just add water" and a lifelong friendship will begin between recruiter and applicant that will lead to a immediate hire.  It can't and it won't.  Slow down. State your name and job interest clearly each time you call employers first time and every time.  And, don't try to act "too familiar." because you are clearly not - not yet.

Be aware that mumbling also sends the wrong message about you as a person.  It is accepted by most that mumbling is the talk of lazy people, who seem too tired to want to bother expressing themselves articulately and with a conviction of words.  "Blah, blah, blah" is more than just a way of talking, it is also a signal of lack of energy. It is also disrespectful to the listener, who struggles to find out who you are and what you seek from him or her.

Speak clearly and with authority if you want to be heard and seen as an impressive communicator and serious employment candidate.

What You Say is "Not My Job," May End Up Meaning You No Longer Have One!

A few years ago, I read an interesting article in Forbes magazine that talked about those employees, who refuse to do anything they consider not being part of their own job description.  The well-written and thoughtful piece left such a powerful impression on me that I went searching for it again, over the past weekend. I found it, re-read it and immediately realized that it offers some timeless advice.

The article was appropriately titled "When You Say It's Not My Job, You End Up Ruining Your Career." It was written by Vivian Giang for the September 20, 2012 issue of Forbes.


In her own contribution to Forbes, Giang quotes from another Forbes' contributor , Ericka Anderson. Giang paraphrases what Anderson wrote about, in her own words.  "Eventually, your career goals will diminish and all of your jobs will be just that — jobs".  What she was referring to is that if you do not expand within or to outside the "box" you work in your career will eventually whither and die.  Anderson's direct quote is as follows and offers some terrific advice for everyone:

"The folks who embrace challenge – say yes to taking on new responsibilities, take advantage of chances to improve their skills, volunteer for start-up projects – tend to build more viable careers. They’re seen as focusing on mutual benefit; on wanting to help the company while improving themselves. That’s the kind of employee that companies want to keep and groom for bigger things."  -- Ericka Anderson

There was a time when the expression "It's not my job" was a humorous expression.  Not anymore is it the least bit funny!  Not in the complex and highly competitive employment world of the early twenty-first century! In fact, by refusing to pitch in and help make for a stronger team effort, you are absolutely shortchanging yourself and your future career potential.  Someone else will undoubtedly jump in  -  unselfishly and without complaint - to join the effort and end up becoming better skilled and much more marketable; universally well-liked and appreciated; and much more valuable to the present and or future employers. Those sitting on the sidelines while others step up are generally considered as "prima donnas" and mediocre employees -  often something even worse.

Why jump in to an effort and step outside of your employment and job description "box?"

Seth Godin writes the following for Business Insider;

"The work you’re doing on project X right now is keeping you from pushing through the Dip on project Y. If you fire your worst clients, if you quit your deadest tactics, if you stop working with the people who return the least, then you free up an astounding number of resources. Direct those resources at a Dip worth conquering and your odds of success go way up." - Seth Godin

If you work within a box, you'll just end up being re-cycled along with the other useless cardboard.  If you are not a team player for your employer, you may very well be kicked off the team, entirely. Thrown to the side and discarded.

If you are not smart enough to discover the opportunity the lies outside the box you think you work in, you will never discover the true talents the lie inside you or the value others will eventually pay for it.

Note: My views on topics are my own based on personal experiences and are not reflective of any others.