Job Interview...Visualize Success

I really feel the next important step before that big interview is to visualize success!!

Olympic athletes visualize themselves winning their competition. You can use that same technique. (I do.) See, feel, and hear that you already have the job. Yesterday, I had an interview for a TV show. To be honest I was intimidated since several of the folks involved are big honking stars. On the drive to the interview I visualized that I was simply driving to work since I already had the job. It worked. Before the first interview was over the executives asked me to come back for a second one. Srinivasan Pillay writes a good article on The Science Of Visualization if you need to brush up on that!

Don't forget to get prepared mentally!

How To Get A Job: 10 Tips To Ace The Interview

Do you set Google alerts for the company or industry that you want to find work in?

Are you completely revamping your PPP resume for each job for which you apply?

Do you customize your PPP resume to fit the job description?

Are you using Twitter, Facebook and Linked In to network?

Have you researched each person with whom you will be interviewing on Facebook and Linked In?



If you dive into the information I have given there are tip you may not have used.



If you ARE using them it is very likely that either

1. You are getting interviews

2. Need to work on your Inner Marketing

3. Explore another industry

4. Start your own business or consulting firm about The Balanced Life

The Importance of Preparing For The Interview

As an Executive Coach I truly do know the importance of the interview. It is important to have a game plan once you have jumped through all the enormous hurdles to land an interview.

If you find you are not having luck with landing interviews, please take a look at these important articles to help get you to the interview: They will give you tools to get focused, burn your one page resume and network so that you get your foot in the door.

It's important to have your Game On! Once you are contacted for an interview respond back quickly to the internal employee who contacted you. Get all their contact information and what their role is in the interviewing/ hiring process. Be professional, accessible and engaging no matter what their role. You are being evaluated from this first contact. Take a few moments to breathe and get very centered before you call or email.

Never underestimate the power of being prepared!!

How Do You Digest Your Reality?

I am dashing about to meetings...and eating some pretty cruddy grub along the way. My digestion has been a long standing challenge. (This is dating back to my childhood where I felt powerless. I held on tight as a way to demonstrate my power.)



One thing that I am enjoying digesting is the new found interest in the body-mind connection. I use it in all my programs. Yesterday, I did a simple exercise (that you and I have probably been doing for 20 years) to demonstrate the 'funky' effect that negative thinking has on the body. This was for big honking execs at a big honking production company owned by big honking stars...



Whether I am in front of an audience in the health care industry or Hollywood executives the reaction is the same. Awe!



I am deeply encouraged that our society seems to be opening to the ancient wisdom that our inner life affects our body. Here are a few links for more on negative thinking and it's effects. http://www.charminghealth.com/negative-emotions/physical-health-conditions.htm



http://www.personalpowertraining.net/Articles/how_negative_thinking_can_hurt_you.htm



Bless You!
About Health
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Coaching: Do You Have The Oprah Effect

It is quite an honor. As a coach I am thrilled to be working with the best and brightest!

Today, I had a meeting at my entertainment attorney's office.

It is one of those offices that I used to image only existed in movies.

Three floors of the MGM building.
White orchids and art work that you see in museums- everywhere.

This is a place that has the insider knowledge of what an Oprah deal looks like. "She didn't make all that money by giving her percentage of profits away." Her experts are groomed and part of a very well oiled machine. www.oprah.com



I deeply respect her for knowing her value and demanding it.

The contraction with the woman I coached tonight were glaring. At the end of the day, this Georgia small business owner looked at her pricing and realized she was making...$8 an hours.

Oprah does the OPPOSITE of many of my coaching clients. She knows her value and insists upon it.

How To Get A Job: Be A Black Belt At Networking

More businesses are being begun by those above 40 than in any other age group. Here is a story from CNN about Baby Boomers leading in new business start ups.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/08/09/magazines/fsb/older_owners.fsb/index.htm



The biggest challenge faced by those over 40 is often their negative attitudes.



I just got off a call with Nelson Davis. He is the producer of "Making It" It has won 6 Emmys as the top show for small business owners.



It takes a great deal of grit to begin a business. 40 somethings have just as much grit as 20 somethings. However, over the age of 30 often folks begin seeing all the reasons that a business will fail. They tell themselves that it can't happen. they don't price their services to reflect the value they deliver,



For anyone starting a business I believe it is key to be part of a team. You will need to have support along the way. If you are like me there will be lots of areas that you know nothing about. I



There is so much great support of those wanting to reinvent themselves. SCORE http://www.score.org is an incredible resource. It offers free advice from successful retired executives.
About Olympics
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

How To Get A Job: Be A Black Belt At Networking

I just got back from a ..networking lunch...If you are a job seeker take notes,,,



Craig H. is the managing partner of a very large law firm. Here is what he said:



"I am looking for two (not one but two!) paralegals. I don't have time to sift through 150 resume's. I want someone to tell me about good people.The last person I got from www.Monster.com had lied about his credentials. It was a waste of time."



In the last two hours I have found out about three jobs. Craig also told me that they are hiring another attorney. If you aren't networking you are missing the boat!
About Olympics
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

How To Get A Job: Be A Black Belt At Networking

HI Kill,

I appreciate how passionate you are on this subject!



In your industry you are probably right. However, there are a legion of workers that got their job by temping. "Test driving an employee is so successful that the state of Georgia. http://billitjobs.blogspot.com/2009/05/should-you-audition-for-information.html



" The state has a program with certain employers to let people try jobs for up to eight weeks before the employer makes a hiring decision or commitment. The applicant continues to collect unemployment benefits during the period."



This is a win-win-win.

The candidate 'auditions' or temps in a job before they are hired permanently. I believe this is a trend we will be seeing more of in the future.
About Olympics
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

How To Get A Job: Be A Black Belt At Networking

This weeks column is a direct result of networking!



Nicole Spicer and I met the GOGO's (a netowrking group for high ranking women in the entertainment industry). We realized that we had skill sets that could help each other's clients. She shared her incredible knowledge in this column.



Last week we were approached by a producer to do a TV show together.



This Stuff Works,

Eli
About Olympics
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Executive Coaching: Let Yourself Be Wrong!

I had lunch today with my entertainment attorney John Mason. He has been the attorney for Sharira, ABBA, Olivia Newton John and a big honking ton of famous people. I always walk away pinching myself that I get to work with him. He is such a testimony that there are GREAT people in this business.

Here's John's Wife Bianca...Is John Having An Affair?



I Was Wrong

Dashed home to shoot coaching with the brilliant Daniel James for a show at MTV.
This came about because I was wrong. I thought that I wrote a book for women. I was wrong. Guys LOVE my book. Rich Melendez read my book and became a raging fan. He got other fan to shoot YouTube videos. Admitting that I was wrong and that this was a book for guys lead to my shoot today.


How can you grow from admitting you were wrong?

How Do I Get A Job? Get Rid of The Wog!

I just got back from the gym. Miracles of miracles...I have been working out. As an executive coach, I am doing the same thing that I am writing about.

Getting work. My interview process is with TV stations as an on air expert. I have this crazy idea that The Wog is holding me back.

In that process I have begun the Battle of The Wog. I have this weird belief that there is The Wog of fat underneath my chin. I don't think I can do chin ups to get it to go away.

One thing I have found that works in the past is to love and accept myself just as I am...The Wog and all.

Can you see it here?

Business Coach and the ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

As a business coach in Santa Monica, I am so amped that we have yet another TV meeting for our show! Here is the video that the folks at Oxygen wanted....

Let's see what the smartest minds in television do with what we are up to now...

How To Get A Job: Burn Your Resume!

Hi Angry,



"They definitely are burning their resumes because they are burning with desire to be authentic." In my coaching practice I find that to be SO, SO, SO true!



"Many of my friends have been laid off -- from Senior VP's to IT managers to paralegals and assistants. None of them are wealthy; some have kids, elderly parents; most have mortgages and credit card debt. And yet to a person, they ALL see getting let go as the best thing that could have happened to them. They get to do something different, meaningful, interesting; some will do what they always wanted to do."



YES!!! I pray that everyone reads your comment!!! What a writer you are!
About Careers
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

How Do You Get A Job? Become a Sharp Shooter

I LOVE what I do. Last night in our group coaching session, I got to hear from clients that are already making major changes in their lives- after just seven days of our program.

As an executive coach and reinvention expert, I have the incredible honor of being a part of lives utterly transforming. This last week I was coaching an executive at a major entertainment company. Getting an email that his daily life was better after a single session was both gratifying and inspiring.



In my executive coaching practice, I am seeing a trend. Most job seekers go FIRE, READY, AIM. They send buck shot resumes to hundreds of jobs that they aren't passionate about. A far better tactic is to READY, AIM, FIRE.



READY- take time to look at what you are most passionate about. Research those sectors and companies so that you know more than any of your competition.



AIM- Have a lazer focus on those jobs that you would do-even if they didn't pay you. Write a PPP so that your document shows that you are THE candidate to call for an interview.



FIRE- You have 10 seconds to get the job. When you walk in the door for a job that you are passionate about the recuriter can feel it. That fire isn't something that you can fake.

This is why taking the time to find your passions is so key and so effective.
About Careers
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Here is another great article to help you: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/storysupplement/flyp/index.htm

The Facebook Promise: Cool Or Just Cold

Dear Russell,

Thank you for this post. My opinion is that good old face-to-face conversation is the best way for me to develop intimacy and true connection.



I believe that Facebook and Twitter are part of the "McDonaldization" of communication and connection. These social networks cannibalize our time with superficial trivialities.



My connection with a FB friend isn't developed by hearing that they made pita bread or drank their first wine from a box. Facebook could be used to gather support for an idea or a project, How to get there?

I am not sure of the method. However, I am so glad that you started this conversation!



Best,

Eli Davidson
About Facebook
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

I Went To Court...For Oprah

This morning I was in court in Santa Monica. For the first time in my life someone sued me.

In my coaching sessions I am a student of what I teach. So, I knew that there was a great deal for me to learn from this "frivolous" lawsuit. I got to see my "Inner Bully" reflected in this very angry person. It was so great to have done enough inner work that I got through the challenge.

As an executive coach, I find that time and time again clients run into difficult personalities. Here was the post I did on the Huffington Post that detailed how I was handling this challenge....from the inside out.

I Went To Prison For Oprah!

Is Oprah following me?

Here is my recent post. What I Learned From Prison Inmates.It documented what I learned as an Executive Coach from prison inmates. The video of the Freedom to Choose program developed by my alma mater, The University of Santa Monica will bring you to tears.

I can hardly describe what heartfelt, kind, wise women I met. This included women who were "Lifers" whose crimes were so violent that they will spend the rest of their days behind bars.

Glenn Close and Oprah have gotten together to do a story about the incredible things going on behind prison walls. Check it out.: "I Went To Prison For Oprah". It astonishes me that as a culture, that we treat dogs better than people.

EXECUTIVE COACH PREDICTS THE THE DEATH OF ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

All of Hollywood sighed a big breath of relief when the site was found guilty of copyright infringement. As an executive coach it is my job to dig deeper. Copyright law does nothing. Industry executives are too complacent to notice.

The Radio industry invited me to help them REINVENT. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. From my vantage point I see that the entire industry is hoping that someone else will fix the problem. They won't. The movie and TV industry doesn't even vet other alternatives.

There has been no interruption in Pirate Bay. Please go on the site and see.
http://thepiratebay.org

In the last 60 minutes 18 movies have been uploaded to Pirate Bay.
http://thepiratebay.org/top

Ocean's 11
Ocean's 12
Ocean's 13
Aladdin Magic Lamp (Disney)
Atlantis (Disney)
Pocahontas (Disney)
Race to Witch Mountain (Disney)
Watchman 2009
9 people uploading and 276 people downloading right now

Crank High Voltage
2 people uploading and 267 people downloading right now

Executive Coach Sees The Death of Hollywood.

Hello Hollywood.

Kiss your BMW good bye.
As an executive coach I see behind the big fancy doors. A MAJOR TV company went from 120 employees to 5. No one knows. Thank goodness. But, it is a sign of what is about to happen.

In 5 years there won't be a movie or TV business in this town. Cut out this post and file it in the "I Told You So" Section. Look at it on May 13, 2014. If I am wrong I will buy you lunch.

Why is Hollywood about to die?
Ad dollars are down. That you know.
There is a bigger problem.Pirates are stealing content. Pirates are stealing profits. Hollywood is doing nothing about it.

There are 100 million users using Bit Torrent technology at over 10,000 sites and downloading CURRENT movies and TV.

You can't make a ring tone (where the music business if forced to find it's profits) from a 2 hour movie. Unless Hollywood slows piracy those executives driving the BMW's will need to find jobs parking them.

Executive Coach: Help! My Man Is A Sofa Surfer!

An client called me this morning in a TIZZY!!! As an executive coach in Hollywood (that translates to Santa Monica for those in the know) this happens a lot. Her boyfriend has 6 Grammy's and over 60 Gold Records. Like many in the music industry he has fallen on hard times. He was used to making millions. Now, he can't afford to have his trash cans picked up.

She is in the midst of negotiating selling a show to a major network. He asked if she would support him.

How To Bullet Proof Your Job?

Egads!

I was up at 6 to go shoot at KTLA. Do we all need to forget having a life to have a job?
I took a nap and gardened for 20 minutes. Just finished coaching.

Working out.
Drinking 2 liters of water.

Each of these is key to keeping the stamina to keep at it.

Insider Secrets: How To Get A Job -- Get Prepared Inside and Out (Part 1)

Get Prepared, Inside and Out
"Help! I need to get a job." Are you a professional finding your career in freefall, or know someone who is? You might want to follow this series of four posts.

My intention is to help you get there faster. I have asked one of the nation's top Fortune 500 recruitment experts, Nicole Spicer, to share insider secrets, tips and tricks to make your job search successful.

The first step is to get real. Take the quiz to see how you fare.

Are You Prepared To Get A Job In This Market?
Are you prepared to take a salary cut, quite possibly a severe decrease?
Are you prepared to do work you thought you had progressed far enough in your career that you wouldn't have to do again?
Are you prepared to have a full-time job finding your next job?
Are you prepared to consider and apply to many different opportunities?
Are you prepared to accept the harsh reality that there is a serious dearth of open positions?
Are you prepared to do whatever it takes, stay open to all possibilities?
Are prepared to do a fearless inventory of who you are, personally and professionally?
Are you prepared to reach out and ask for help from family and friends? 


If you didn't answer yes to each one of those questions you are out of touch with today's job market.

Step Up and Step Out

Many folks are feeling that finding a job right now is an impossible task. That isn't true. The paradigm has shifted. In order to get a job, you will need to step up and step out. Step up your game and step out of your comfort zone.
If you are not personally empowered and professionally self-aware you will not stand out among the other 500 competing applicants for the position. There are two over arching components that are systemic to a successful job search; believing in yourself and being able to promote your self professionally.

Inner and Outer Marketing
In this market you will have to know how to market yourself from the inside out. "As a recruiter, the first thing I notice in a "star" candidate is his/her confidence. It shows up early on paper and later in person. A trained eye can spot them with the first email, phone call and as they walk through the door." says Fortune 500 recruitment expert, Nicole Spicer www.OARIP.com.

So first you have to ask yourself: am I aware of my power and will it show up for me throughout the job search process?

This is not about your ego or telling someone how good you are, it is about knowing your personal power and being confident in your abilities. It is authentic; you cannot fake it (or at least not sustain it for long if you do.) If you hesitate on this concept you probably are not there - yet.
The good news is, it can be learned.

First: Your Personal Empowerment

You Are Mayor
What is it like inside your skin? Regardless of outer circumstances you have the power and responsibility to be good to yourself. It may sound cheesy, but you are the only person that can empower you. Most decisions to hire a candidate are made in the first 10 seconds. The only way to really show up is to be empowered.

Listen To Your Self
Are you so busy tweeting and texting that you have lost track of who you really are? Take at least 15 minute each day to honor the authentic wisdom of your body, mind and Spirit. I know of many a client who has gotten a job by following a "hunch."
Don't Be The Lone Ranger
Get and give support as part of a team. Mammals are pack animals. During a job search, time of stress (or any time for that matter) you need to be part of a group. Women in particular thrive when they 'Tend and Befriend' as the landmark UCLA study found.

Be Accountable
Tell someone your goals. Check in with them daily if possible. It is very easy to watch the last the episodes of Oprah instead of making sales calls if you don't. Although the statistics vary by study, most reports show that goals that have.

Second: Your Outer Marketing

Professional Promotion - Burn Your Resume!
"Don't rewrite that resume! I hate "the" resume. One size does not fit all, not in a bathing suit and not in a resume. Long before an employer meets you (if you can get that far) they will see your career profile. Burn your resume. Spicer instructs those looking for a job to write a "Professional Promotional Profile." Take it seriously, take in your entire professional career and invest some time in writing it.

Ancient History
The Professional Promotional Profile is your work bible.
Create a timeline of your entire professional history. Go back to your very first job. Write down everything you have done since then.

Organize
Your Professional Promotional Profile into action statements with the results whenever appropriate.

Head's Up
When you see or hear about a position you would like to apply for, you will pull (cut and paste) all your relevant experience off your PPP into specific document(s) for that position.

From your Professional Promotional Profile (PPP) will flow all other career documents - one of many custom profiles (resumes, if you must) specific to the position you are applying to, cover letters germane to a specific job, bio's for business networking websites, executive summaries for direct introduction and stimulating conversations for those interviews.

Once you have completed your PPP it will be easy to develop every other document you might need to promote yourself or might be required in your search. You will be at the ready with details fresh in your mind of everything your career has spawned, making it easy to sell yourself on paper and in person.

Next week we will dive into: How To Burn Your Resume To Get A Job.

****************************************

Do you have job search questions? Ask Eli a question at info@elidavidson.com or go to http://www.elidavidson.com today.

What I Learned In Prison (Part 2)

I recently worked with a part of our population that is underserved in the "Freedom to Choose Prison Project for women inmates."

My prayer is that we can break the cycle within these broken families. We need to knock down that revolving door at prison. Kids with parents in prison often end up in prison themselves.

Here are some additional facts:

• The women's prison population has grown 757 percent from 1977 through 2005, according to the Institute on Women and Criminal Justice.

• 70 percent the women in prison or under correctional supervision are mothers, according to the Department of Justice.

• 65% were single mothers.

• 1.3 million children are affected, according to the Department of Justice.

• As of December 31, 1999, 73.3% of women in California prisons were imprisoned for non-violent offenses, the majority (43.5% of total) of which were drug crimes. (CDC)

• In 1999, new female felon admissions for drug crimes reached a new high: 50.1%. (CDC, California Prisoners and Parolees 2000, Table 33)

• According to a Department of Justice Statistics report released in April 1998, 48% of women in United States jails reported being sexually or physically abused prior to their detention. Prison officials told me privately that they assessed the figure at 80%.

In the coming weeks, I will be sharing ways that you can help some of the most challenged Americans.

***
Ask Eli a question at info@elidavidson.com or go to www.elidavidson.com to send her your favorite lesson you learned.

Eli Davidson is a nationally recognized executive coach and motivational speaker.

Her book, Funky to Fabulous: Surefire Success Stories for The Savvy, Sassy and Swamped, (Oak Grove Publishing) has won three national book awards.

The Inner Life
Before you dismiss the experience of someone in prison as the polar opposite of your own...here is a quiz. Are You In Your Own Prison? • Do you identify yourself by what you do? • How about what...
Before you dismiss the experience of someone in prison as the polar opposite of your own...here is a quiz. Are You In Your Own Prison? • Do you identify yourself by what you do? • How about what...