If I could give anyone ONE piece of advice it would be to ASK.
- Ask for the sale - 25% of all sales are received this way.
- Ask for the job - most employers, HR staff and recruiters are not expecting this question.
- Ask for the raise - most employers will give you one if you deserve it.
- Ask for the date - many attractive people have fewer dates than you think. The same applies for sales and jobs. The most attractive company often gets few offers because "people think it is too hard".
The most dissatisfied person never asks for anything. They make statements ("I am broke") or they complain ("I never get the good deals").
Successful people ask and ask often. Try it.
Wednesday
Requests for references
Do you need a reference for your next job? Most likely you will.
There are two types of references, personal and professional.
Personal references can be written by anyone who knows you well. It is best however, to have someone with "authority" - a minister, doctor, family friend with a strong professional title or well-known personality.
Personal references will vouch for your character, personality, ethics and personal history.
Professional references are from former (and current) employers, co-workers and clients.
Your current employer may be reluctant to provide a reference for obvious reasons; they may not want you looking for another job! But most likely, your current employer will not provide a professional reference because of legal ramifications - if your reference does not reflect your current job status (such as promotions, pay raises, responsibility), then your employer could be sued - by you.
The exception to the rule is if you are voluntarily leaving your current company or are being released due to layoff or economic downturn.
Your former employer will usually provide some sort of professional reference. Generally it will consist of "worked from date X to date Y and eligible for rehire".
If you remain on good terms with your previous employer, you could very well receive a strong letter of reference. Keep these on file and use them again and again.
Co-workers are a good source for references which many overlook. Co-workers are especially good if they have a strong title and can reference specific projects they completed with you.
The most overlooked professional reference sources are clients and customers. If you have provided good service and have a good professional relationship, these are potential wellsprings of incredible value.
After all, professional references from customers attest to your excellent service and value you produced for a revenue source to your customer!
How to ask for a reference?
First and foremost, stay on good terms with your network of potential references. Remain in contact and don't wait until you need a reference to ask for one.
Second, offer to return the assistance in kind at the very least. At best, offer something of value to your references which they will translate as a gift of good faith - referrals, introductions, free consulting or contractual work.
Finally, have several reference sources in mind. No one who provides references wants to be hounded daily by the sad sack who has no network.
If a reference does not get back to you in a timely fashion, do not take this the wrong way - be understanding of their schedule and have an alternate plan.
A final note, do not forget to write a thank you note for the reference. This is common courtesy and should never be overlooked.
There are two types of references, personal and professional.
Personal references can be written by anyone who knows you well. It is best however, to have someone with "authority" - a minister, doctor, family friend with a strong professional title or well-known personality.
Personal references will vouch for your character, personality, ethics and personal history.
Professional references are from former (and current) employers, co-workers and clients.
Your current employer may be reluctant to provide a reference for obvious reasons; they may not want you looking for another job! But most likely, your current employer will not provide a professional reference because of legal ramifications - if your reference does not reflect your current job status (such as promotions, pay raises, responsibility), then your employer could be sued - by you.
The exception to the rule is if you are voluntarily leaving your current company or are being released due to layoff or economic downturn.
Your former employer will usually provide some sort of professional reference. Generally it will consist of "worked from date X to date Y and eligible for rehire".
If you remain on good terms with your previous employer, you could very well receive a strong letter of reference. Keep these on file and use them again and again.
Co-workers are a good source for references which many overlook. Co-workers are especially good if they have a strong title and can reference specific projects they completed with you.
The most overlooked professional reference sources are clients and customers. If you have provided good service and have a good professional relationship, these are potential wellsprings of incredible value.
After all, professional references from customers attest to your excellent service and value you produced for a revenue source to your customer!
How to ask for a reference?
First and foremost, stay on good terms with your network of potential references. Remain in contact and don't wait until you need a reference to ask for one.
Second, offer to return the assistance in kind at the very least. At best, offer something of value to your references which they will translate as a gift of good faith - referrals, introductions, free consulting or contractual work.
Finally, have several reference sources in mind. No one who provides references wants to be hounded daily by the sad sack who has no network.
If a reference does not get back to you in a timely fashion, do not take this the wrong way - be understanding of their schedule and have an alternate plan.
A final note, do not forget to write a thank you note for the reference. This is common courtesy and should never be overlooked.
Phone messages
I recently received a phone message which made me think about ways we can all improve on this important, yet neglected activity.
The Do
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Say your name, your company, your callback number and a brief reason for your call.
- Repeat your callback number at the end of the message.
The Don't
- Speak quickly, especially when leaving a callback number.
- Call while eating, coughing, or sneezing.
- Call while outside or a loud environment.
- Leave messages while carrying on a conversation.
- Leave rambling messages which exceed common courtesy.
- Leave a pitch, plea or unusual request.
- Forget to leave your name of callback number.
Voice mail is your friend. Use it wisely and with courtesy and it will pay back handsome dividends.
The Do
- Speak slowly and clearly.
- Say your name, your company, your callback number and a brief reason for your call.
- Repeat your callback number at the end of the message.
The Don't
- Speak quickly, especially when leaving a callback number.
- Call while eating, coughing, or sneezing.
- Call while outside or a loud environment.
- Leave messages while carrying on a conversation.
- Leave rambling messages which exceed common courtesy.
- Leave a pitch, plea or unusual request.
- Forget to leave your name of callback number.
Voice mail is your friend. Use it wisely and with courtesy and it will pay back handsome dividends.
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