Have you ever met someone who exceeds expectations or in some way enhanced those around through professional standards?

Maybe you should let them know! If you are serious, put your money where your mouth is and provide the endorsement in a public forum for others to see. How? You could email your thoughts and offer your words to be quoted on resumes, bios or published on that person’s website. You can also endorse them on LinkedIn which has the option as part of the regular free service.  Other social networking sites where you have content control related to their profile is another way to express appreciation.

A common question from our experienced folks is whether or not they should hide or otherwise minimize a direct promotion of age on resumes. Such as graduation dates and early career positions.

My position is consistent with personality, passion and drive over the number. As a matter of fact, I love the confidence and pride that comes from people who celebrate their experience.

Put the dates on your resume, or don’t. The reader will not be far off on estimating how long you have experienced professional life anyway - believe me. If they are, I bet you are seen as being elusive and that is the worst thing for your personal brand.

Worried about age discrimination and not getting in the door because of your resume? Don’t. Focus on the value you bring highlighting the last ten years and address specific lessons learned in your longer history including changing markets and industries to changing culture with new workers entering the workforce. You get the idea.

Now, target people who value your experience. Build a personal brand online. Be realistic about compensation and your competition. Employers are buying the perceived value you bring compared to others. That is all they can do. Make hiring managers want you…that is your responsibility.

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.

He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:

For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. — And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

— John Hancock

One of the most feared moments for people in transition is when the transition is from a career or lifestyle that does not seem to have marketable skills.  I hear from many people that have banged their head against the wall trying to convince people they are qualified even though they spent significant time as a:

Stay at home parent

Caretaker

Ill

Military

or transitioning out of different or dead industries. 

The challenge is dramatic change.  Employers don’t have proof that people will be happy in their new life and have a tough time stomaching taking a chance on you.  True even if they think you can do the job.   There are to many questions?  Their own reputation is on the line if you are not up to the new lifestyle.  

How do you communicate your desire to add value lesson pain for all?

PASSION and with energy in the way you carry yourself.  Make people want to be around you.  Taking the time to be knowledgeable and prepared with enthusiastic energy can put you ahead of your competition.  Even those who do not have your baggage.  Prove it!

I know you are super busy this week going back and forth on email, text and twitter working on getting your point across, but let’s do something different this week shall we?

If it is at all possible the reader may have to reply for clarification or more information of any kind, consider picking up the phone and calling them. 

When you think about someone and wonder how they are doing or what they may need and where you can help, consider picking up the phone and calling them.

While you are at it, consider picking up the phone and calling a few contacts every week just to check in and learn how their career and life in general are moving along.  As suggested by a guest on a past Your Brand Radio show, select a time every week and start calling from your contacts with the letter ‘A’ moving through and staring again when you have called everyone.  Leaving a simple voice mail works too. 

Start this week and see what happens. 

It is com-peti-tive out there, oh man.  Always has been for things worth doing.  Both on the commonly traveled path as well as for attention on the off the beaten path ideas.  Today the time to commitment on brand acceptance is so fast your head will spin if you are not prepared.

So how do you progress in your career when you already hold the talent ticket to ride, but don’t seem to be getting ahead?  My friend, it is as simple as can be.  Take time to prepare.  Sounds simple; it is simple and perhaps that is why most do not take adequate time to prepare.   

In my experience with people whether it be as a recruiter, speaker, advisor to many people and small businesses, I have never seen someone fail because they were prepared.  I personally know when I do not get a gig, client, top candidate or get through to someone.  It is always because I could have done more to understand the company, industry, trends, communication styles, needs vs wants and if I should even be in the room.  I don’t like that feeling and we are all to busy to regret time not well spent, so, I prepare and you should too! 

In light of getting hired and hiring the best, be prepared.  Go in confident because you have knowledge and know the questions you need to ask to enhance knowledge further.  If you do not do your homework on people, company, industry trends and the like, it is your fault.  Would you hire you with the knowledge you did not value time and information?   

By the way, most prepared does not necessarily mean most time spent.  Being the best prepared does mean smart and resourceful.  We all have the same access to information.  We all know what we need to do to prepare for a competitive now and future.  We even know if we ask we shall receive, especially when we add value first.

I don’t know what you, the reader, needs right now so specific examples don’t make sense in this post.  Just understand you need to be among the most knowledgeable in your particular space for short term success and learning every day for your future.  If you, the reader, have specific needs to be prepared, take it to the appropriate forum on Your Brand Forums and start the conversation.  We all need it!    

Lot of chatter today about market, generational and other challenging conditions.  Careers, jobs, getting hired and hiring the best is the center of understanding challenge and taking risk.  After all, success breeds from risk. 

There are people with excuses and obstacles as there are people changing to meet the challenge.  The second brand of people understand that even the best of strategies change because of experience and environment.  Change is good, if you can trust intuition. 

Intuition allows direction into the unknown.  If your decisions are always right in front of your face like a radio signal or musical note, you just need the tools to identify they exist.  That is intuition.  Very powerful.  Trust yours, and create opportunity.

Like many people over the weekend, my wife, Julie, and I watched many people remember Tim Russert with personal stories and proof of their own respect for the man and professional. 

I have known for years why Russert was the one personality I looked forward to seeing on Television - his unquestionable passion for what he does everyday and his family.  No doubt about it and with a smile!

What I learned this weekend was how often the word ‘prepared’ was spoken.  Guest on Meet the Press would prepare for Russert like no other because he himself was prepared almost to an unfair advantage. 

It also occurred to me that the people I personally know who impress me the most are the best prepared.  For my executive searches, equally talented candidates where separated by preparedness for my interview.  My most productive client or board meetings are are the result of preparedness.  The difference between a good and great day of results is knowledge and preparedness.      

Seems obvious, but the bar is set by the best prepared.  Russert changed the way people prepare for interviews because he was the best and I think his example will make many professionals better for a long time to come.  I know he has made me better just from watching him work on television. 

I have also been thinking of my first mentor, Chuck Kauffman, more this weekend.  Chuck sent me in a direction of preparedness for my big goals from the day I graduated from college.  Chuck died from a heart attack young as well.  I was in San Diego when he died getting experience he put in motion for me.  I did not even know he was sick.  I thanked him often, but not enough. 

This week, start helping others be as prepared as they can be by setting the example yourself.  And, appreciate your mentors.     

Like you, I have seen the numerous polls, studies and articles about more and more people taking control of their life with a career position and/or volunteer leadership role bigger than them.  A position with purpose. 

That said, I am painfully aware of how many people are not satisfied by nature of my own career in the business of people.  Although a number are making decisions to bring purpose into their professional life, the majority are struggling to figure out what this means.  I see it on the faces while I am in Denver or other cities near highly populated corporate headquarters.  Just last week…and a few weeks prior, I was at a popular light-rail stop in Denver at a few minutes past 8:00AM.  I was watching the standing room only light-rail trains unload with individuals heading to the Qwest or Johns Manville building where they called home for most of their awake hours.  To the person - heads down as they crossed the street watching their feet and holding their coffee mugs with lids.  I was with my wife, Julie, one of these days as we witnessed this obvious disconnect with purpose.  Julie and I looked at each other and did not even need to address what we were experiencing - it was in the air - unhappy - discontent.  I could not help but start chanting “dew dew dew…here I go, off to work, dew, dew dew…”  I actually felt sad.  Then Julie asked ”can you imagine?”

As I am out and about, I see the same thing in the same intersection anywhere from 5:00 to 6:00PM.  Individuals waiting for the bus or light-rail, standing as an individual with heads down now with the coffee mug in hand dangling from an index finger looking beat up from the day. 

Heading home, dew, dew, dew heading home and do it all again tomorrow, dew, dew, dew…

Their job, as important as it is for the company, is not rewarding, but necessary for the individual to keep the home and planned vacation this summer.  Not everyone can jump ship…I think that is why the heads are down.  But what would pick that chin up?  Is there other activity and dreams to realize.  What is going through the minds of these talented people looking sad.  Are they asking: Can I add more value at work and start contributing in other ways - to family, community and company?  Can I anticipate transitioning to a dream job of purpose so I too can say “it is not work” and love it every day? 

Comment here with your thoughts or read the article from AIRS and discuss your transitional period on Your Brand Forums Personal Brand and Career Strategy

Busy Busy Busy.  Is your doing it all attitude paying off or giving you a false sense of activity? 

A challenge for you during your job search and beyond.  Fill your calendar with daily activity that can be measured in results and find yourself less busy along the way.  What? Less busy by scheduling more?

Being unemployed and conducting an active job search from home is like working from home for the telecommuter or the home base business owner.  Discipline is required to produce results every day. 

As a job seeker, you know you need to be networking, researching industries - companies - trends - your value proposition, manufacturing lists of target companies and relevant contacts, learning as well as exercising every day.  This will keep you engaged, but the other activity that is keeping you busy is a false sense of activity. 

You know people, including yourself, who have worked for months towards a goal that is not producing results.  You look back and feel tired and busy, maybe even burnt out.  But when someone like me starts digging into what you have actually been doing (or you are super honest with yourself), you realize you have not been doing what is required to measure results every day.  Now the market conditions or people who “don’t get it” are not looking like viable excuses anymore.   

I promise you, if you build daily activity with measurable results, you will accomplish your goals much quicker.  You will learn about mistakes you are making and be able to adjust plans and even your thinking fast with the ability to adjust and accomplish your ultimate goals.  

Want to discuss specifics to you that others can learn from?  Post questions for discussion on Your Brand Forums