ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602160015
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: F-6 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Working It Out
SOURCE: CAMILLE WRIGHT MILLER
Q: I'm a homemaker who hasn't worked outside the house for 20 years, but now have to go to work. I don't know what to do, what my interests are, or how to start.
A: Tina Rolen says the first step is to "become more self-aware. Research demonstrates that your general interests are closely linked to career choices and success."
Rolen, associate director of the career development center at Hollins College, said becoming more self-aware includes "identifying your interests, values and personal boundaries."
Look at what "you've done through your years at home. Skills likely include problem-solving and organizing." From this self-assessment, "identify broad career fields and specific occupations. Explore these further through reading, information interviews, volunteer activities and internships."
Rolen recommends developing job search skills, updating your personal appearance, practicing interview techniques, and seeking additional training. She often suggests computer classes to update skills.
Rolen said that once you've "explored the world of work, develop an action plan for employment. Use every source available. Network, visit the state employment office, read job boards, use the classifieds."
Rolen recommends calling companies. Request public relations, investment and recruiting packages. Read local and national business magazines for additional information on local companies. You want to get to know the companies before you interview.
Rolen said the world of work is "very competitive, but employers want good people. They want a good work ethic, someone who is on time, and someone willing to work." Women who have been working in the home have those skills and more.
Q: I'm on a team that makes presentations to potential clients. Because I'm usually early, I meet clients before other members of my team arrive. I don't want to "give away" the presentation, so I say nothing. The result is we stand around in uncomfortable silence.
A: Consider acting as host of every event - even when the event is at someone else's office. The role of host isn't to have a take-charge attitude. Rather, it's ensuring that everyone becomes comfortable in the environment.
Adopt a relaxed posture and smile. Introduce yourself and offer a firm handshake. At an easy pace, begin small talk. Comment about the surroundings. Ask individuals how long they've been with the company.
When clients talk, listen carefully. They'll give you information about themselves; build on that for further conversation. Skilled hosts often refer back to insights gained in these conversations during the actual presentation.
Build a relationship. There's a difference between presentations that start cold between two unrelated groups and those given to acquaintances, even new ones.
Your efforts to host the room will make you, your team, and your product memorable.
Q: Whenever I'm late for a meeting, I explain why. Being late is unlike me, so I feel I owe an explanation. My boss just told me to "knock off the explaining." I will, but it leaves me uncomfortable.
A: Entering late, apologizing and recounting that you "had a flat tire and couldn't find a parking place" throws the meeting off balance. Offering involved explanations for behavior is called "accounting."
Late entrants disrupt conversational rhythms. Accounting further destroys concentration. It also can be interpreted as an undeserved bid for attention.
It's enough to say "Excuse me." Then listen carefully to determine the tenor and pace of the meeting. After the meeting, you can offer an accounting to your boss.
In the meantime, review your calendar for the last several months. Note the number of times you've arrived late for meetings. If you're surprised by the number, your boss may have a similar feeling.
We sometimes inaccurately assess our own behavior. For example, we see ourselves as always prompt - except when unforeseen problems occur. Having that "exclusion clause" exempts unforeseen-problem tardiness from mental record-keeping. So, while being late is something we "don't do," we're routinely late because of too many unexpected delays.
If your boss is simply signaling recognition that meetings should be minimally disrupted, minimize your accounting. However, if the latter scenario is possible, create a new strategy for approaching your day. Build in "flat-tire time" before all meetings.
Camille Wright Miller, an organizational behavior sociologist who works in Lexington, answers questions from our readers about workplace issues. Please send them to her in care of The Roanoke Times, Business News Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
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