The CFO Coach

TO BLOG OR NOT TO BLOG

Everyone has them. Even recruiters. Which brings me to my point!

Posting intelligent and articulate comments on blogs can be a great way to get you noticed, differentiate you from the hundreds of other candidates vying for a recruiter’s attention.

The downside – isn’t there always one? Google is the great weapon in a prospective employer’s arsenal. All he needs to do is type in your name and he has access to the kinds of public comments you are making.

The compromise. Post carefully, thoughtfully, and articulately.

WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE GOOD INTENTIONS?

Here it is … mid–March. How are you doing on those goals you set at the beginning of the year? Are you making progress, or are those things you thought were priorities – now pushed to the back burner?

If your answer is a guilty “back burner,” then I have a suggestion for you. It may well be the very best thing you can do for yourself if you are serious about hitting your goals this year. Create an accountability or master mind group. I’m sure you’ve heard about this concept in Napoleon Hill’s “Keys to Success.”

A group of like–mind people, could be as few as 3 or as many as about 8, who meet on a regular basis to motivate, encourage, and support each other in reaching their goals; brainstorm on obstacles and challenges they are facing; and share their multitude of expertise. This group of people can be invaluable in helping you to achieve things you can’t or won’t on your own, and become a powerful center of influence for you in your career goals.

If you would like to know more about how master mind groups work, read Hill’s book or email me for a copy of my article “Power of the Third Mind” published last year in Executive Update magazine.

SARBANES–OXLEY ACT

Not exactly a common household name, but it may become one. Particularly as it relates to new regulations regarding financial disclosures and the provision that companies must warehouse emails, instant messages, blog postings, and other electronic data … even new Internet phone conversation logs.

What does that have to do with you, the job seeker? If you’re employed and using company equipment and email to conduct a job search, make inquiries, or communicate with networking contacts … EVERYTHING!

I know I’ve said it before but it is worth repeating. Use a personal email account on personal time and use your personal cell phone for any job search (or other personal) conversations. Not only might it save your current position, but prospective companies may also notice the integrity you bring to the table.

Think it can’t happen to you? Google Harry C. Stonecipher, Frank Quattrone, or Henry M. Blodgett. It happened to them.

INTEGRITY

On a scale of 1–5, with 5 being greatest, how would you rate yourself on integrity? What about when you are off the clock or when you believe no one is looking, then how would you rate yourself? Are you true to your values in every situation?

I have been thinking about this word for awhile and most recently, as my almost–college–grad daughter goes to her first overnight interview. I cautioned her about making smart choices “after” the formal session was over as I was sure that her prospective employer would be watching even more closely than during the formal sessions.

Integrity. According to Webster, it means “completeness, wholeness” and an “unimpaired condition.” But how many of us are really different people when we are putting on the face of the company versus when we are behind closed doors? Or when we want something versus when someone needs or wants our help?

Integrity. There is a cliché that defines integrity as, “What you do or how you act when you think no one is watching.” It’s easy to have integrity in a room full of people – we always want others to think the best of us. It’s much harder come from a place of integrity when we think it doesn’t matter.