It's terrific if you like your job! It's even better if you like your job and have ideas about how to work more efficiently, where to find new customers, how to market things, free places to get the word out on the company, possible partners, etc., but when sharing that information, you should consider how you are coming across to co-workers and supervisors. Basically, picking the "right time and right way" to communicate ideas is crucial, and you want to sort of test out how best to do this as you go along rather than spend many hours putting together an idea email and then sending it to the wrong person or wording it in a less-than-thoughtful way.
First of all, don't think you have to share every idea you have the moment you have it. If you are new somewhere, give yourself some weeks/months to get to learn the job before you start offering observations on how it could be done differently/better. That said, there is nothing wrong with keeping a sort of personal journal of things you notice or ideas that come to you, even starting with your first day there...capture those thoughts, write them down, know that you have written them down so you can move on, and have them ready to polish and discuss/send WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. It can be tempting, but a meeting called to discuss a certain topic is not the right time to flood the folks around you with your unrefined thoughts on unrelated things, and people won't take kindly to you doing this.
Refining and polishing your ideas and trying to condense them to the essence of what matters is key. An over-long email will lose the reader, perhaps even before she starts to read it. Asking someone that you have some rapport with if you can send them some ideas you had is a reasonable request, and they'll probably reply "Yes, sure!" When that happens, make sure these early emails are about topics that the person can understand (don't fire ideas about marketing to a person that is in human resources, or if you do, make sure you are actually asking them "Who should I send this to in marketing, in your view?"), and that they are not too long and involved and tangential...like I mentioned, refine and polish your thoughts. Use bullet points, not long paragraphs, to make it easier to read and give a sense of organization when they open the email.
I'm mentioning email because it's a mode of communication that the person can open when the time is right, can come back to if they are interrupted, and they don't have to add the oddity of you watching their reaction to your ideas as they are formulating responses. Give them the courtesy of letting your ideas percolate a bit before any response is given, they might have deeper reactions after thinking about it for a few days. If you fire ideas at someone, they might have a hard time processing the various topics, get confused that things are separate ideas are merged when you really have not combined them, and generally lose the thread and specifics of what you are trying to say. Let them get to know you via the written word, which is easier for the message to ring clearly in.
Perhaps after reading your message, they'll have ideas who else to send the email to: if so, that's excellent! Or maybe they'll advise you to clean the email up even more or narrow it to one idea or another edit: take their advice to show you are really listening and are an appreciative person. The ideas that are not being concentrated on are not gone, you can just save them for future use sometime. Maybe they'll agree to forward it to someone else with their comment like "Hey Jim, take a look at the idea Mark had about advertising...possible way to save money?" and then you'll have to see what the next person has to say. Whether or not the idea gets used, showing your co-workers that you have an active mind and know how to present your ideas will only pay dividends for you, and you'll lay a foundation for broader success as you go!
Showing posts with label unique workers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label unique workers. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
What should potential employers know about your diagnosis, and when should they know this?
Often, clients have a fear how to appropriately express their conditions/diagnosis/uniqueness to possible employers, worried that once they know this, an employer won't value them as highly or make them do work that isn't exactly the kind of work the client wants to do. This is a highly personal thing, but as the years have gone by and the general awareness and understanding of the Autism Spectrum has grown, I do sense a better climate for uniquely-abled workers to be forthright about what they are good at and not so good at, and to be clear about the kind of accommodations that they would benefit from at work. Also, if you want to get technical and legal about it, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the amendments passed in 2009 mandate that employers make these accommodations for workers. This combination of the legal requirements and the general awareness and acceptance of diagnosed conditions certainly have made the climate more conducive to people on the Spectrum being more open about their needs when looking for work than in decades past.
Practicing being clear and concise about what you have been diagnosed with is absolutely necessary; for one big thing, having "the speech" down and ready for use rather than fumbling with a million thoughts will show the person you are speaking with a small example of you dealing with your condition in a positive, businesslike way. That said, I'm not sure I'd start the conversation with this topic, let it come up as the interview progresses, perhaps after they ask you (as an interviewer always does!) if you have any questions for them. "Yes, I do" you might say, "Have you had much experience with people with Asperger's Syndrome (or whatever your condition is) in the past?" See how they answer, and be ready for a quick follow up such as, "Well, I have Asperger's, and as such, sometimes I have trouble recognizing social cues, body language, and other non-verbal communication." Let them respond, but also have the positive ready, like "However, with Asperger's, I also have tremendous attention to detail and deep focus, and will really dig in deeply to the tasks I am assigned and get you the kind of results that help the company!" Again, practicing your conversational and informational bits will really stand you in good stead and help you be comfortable going in.
As for when to disclose, I think "the earlier the better," but would also include "the more comfortable the better," meaning be comfortable with the moment first, and that's hopefully sooner than later. Some want to wait until there is a job offer on the table, and while that would give you great leverage, I think the person who has been evaluating you might feel a bit taken advantage of if you did it in that way. Plus, I think you'd want to let them know about yourself and see how they react and see if they have had other workers that they have made accommodations for in the past, etc. Look, they are hiring all of you, so let them know what "all of you" really means, and then when you do get the gig, you'll know that they are welcoming the entire package!
Practicing being clear and concise about what you have been diagnosed with is absolutely necessary; for one big thing, having "the speech" down and ready for use rather than fumbling with a million thoughts will show the person you are speaking with a small example of you dealing with your condition in a positive, businesslike way. That said, I'm not sure I'd start the conversation with this topic, let it come up as the interview progresses, perhaps after they ask you (as an interviewer always does!) if you have any questions for them. "Yes, I do" you might say, "Have you had much experience with people with Asperger's Syndrome (or whatever your condition is) in the past?" See how they answer, and be ready for a quick follow up such as, "Well, I have Asperger's, and as such, sometimes I have trouble recognizing social cues, body language, and other non-verbal communication." Let them respond, but also have the positive ready, like "However, with Asperger's, I also have tremendous attention to detail and deep focus, and will really dig in deeply to the tasks I am assigned and get you the kind of results that help the company!" Again, practicing your conversational and informational bits will really stand you in good stead and help you be comfortable going in.
As for when to disclose, I think "the earlier the better," but would also include "the more comfortable the better," meaning be comfortable with the moment first, and that's hopefully sooner than later. Some want to wait until there is a job offer on the table, and while that would give you great leverage, I think the person who has been evaluating you might feel a bit taken advantage of if you did it in that way. Plus, I think you'd want to let them know about yourself and see how they react and see if they have had other workers that they have made accommodations for in the past, etc. Look, they are hiring all of you, so let them know what "all of you" really means, and then when you do get the gig, you'll know that they are welcoming the entire package!
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Developing executive function skills...start a task and see it ALL THE WAY to end!
To really develop the sometimes elusive executive function skills (sidenote: I've always thought it should be intentionally mis-pronounced "EXECUTE-ive function," as in, executing and getting things all the way done...make sense?), working with clients to start and task, break it down to manageable chunks, have a formalized schedule written down (or saved digitally with recurring reminders, or whatever the best application of schedule is), get these chunks accomplished on schedule, AND THEN HAVE A DEFINED "FINISH" TO THE TASK is key. Even if the task is recurring, having someone see the start to finish routine and grasping that it's not accomplished when "oh, most of the work is done," or "Yeah, it's going fine" is the answer to queries about the completion.
I have seen too many crumpled homework assignments pulled from the depths of backpacks or incorrectly-saved/misfiled/mislabeled work products suddenly unearthed when using a computer or checking a memory stick for something else, along with the requisite "Oh, there that is!" Yeah, there it is, 99% of the way done, with time and effort having been devoted to it weeks ago, only to have it languish somewhere and the TASK NOT BE DONE. Bosses and teachers have blank spaces for the work, or perhaps the person had to half-bake a replacement and turn it in late with the usual sturm und drang and frenzy that has come to often characterize their work or academic life.
Getting rid of that unneeded frenzy and smoothing things out is a beneficial side-effect to perfecting the entire cycle of EXECUTE-ive function, and a calmness that once it becomes noticed is something that clients like and can work towards. Having examples of getting tasks all the way done and the positive effects it has on life, work results, grades, interpersonal relationships, extra time reserves, etc., is a feeling that is pretty positive and one that I can mention in retrospect as "let's head for the way you did the work and got it turned in on time like the FULLY DONE WORK NAME HERE from last month, okay?"
That concrete example of something that THEY DID is crucial, and to get it you may have to really dig in on an assignment and be involved and re-emphasize chunk deadlines and assembly and other bits and pieces. However, once it's been accomplished, it can be use again and again for an example of a time when the person completed the cycle and reaped the benefits of the effort, and as a building block for getting better at the completion skills that are sometimes elusive but so needed!
I have seen too many crumpled homework assignments pulled from the depths of backpacks or incorrectly-saved/misfiled/mislabeled work products suddenly unearthed when using a computer or checking a memory stick for something else, along with the requisite "Oh, there that is!" Yeah, there it is, 99% of the way done, with time and effort having been devoted to it weeks ago, only to have it languish somewhere and the TASK NOT BE DONE. Bosses and teachers have blank spaces for the work, or perhaps the person had to half-bake a replacement and turn it in late with the usual sturm und drang and frenzy that has come to often characterize their work or academic life.
Getting rid of that unneeded frenzy and smoothing things out is a beneficial side-effect to perfecting the entire cycle of EXECUTE-ive function, and a calmness that once it becomes noticed is something that clients like and can work towards. Having examples of getting tasks all the way done and the positive effects it has on life, work results, grades, interpersonal relationships, extra time reserves, etc., is a feeling that is pretty positive and one that I can mention in retrospect as "let's head for the way you did the work and got it turned in on time like the FULLY DONE WORK NAME HERE from last month, okay?"
That concrete example of something that THEY DID is crucial, and to get it you may have to really dig in on an assignment and be involved and re-emphasize chunk deadlines and assembly and other bits and pieces. However, once it's been accomplished, it can be use again and again for an example of a time when the person completed the cycle and reaped the benefits of the effort, and as a building block for getting better at the completion skills that are sometimes elusive but so needed!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
"Effective speed" The more you do it, the better you get at it = the more you'll say "YES" to doing it!
There is a remarkable guy in the Bay Area, Hans Florine,( http://hansflorine.com/indexredirect.html ) and a theme that he speaks about has really resonated with me over the years after just reading it once in a magazine. In my way of saying it, the more we wholeheartedly do something, the better we get at it, and thus, the more we'll say "YES!" to doing it. This approach is useful for any person, but especially helpful for folks who are sometimes set in their ways and not enthused about trying something new, avoiding the new for any number of reasons. That sucks, it won't work, I don't do it that way, I don't have time, I do things this way only, I've never done it...the list goes on.
However, explaining to a client that something that is new can soon be something that is tried and true can sometimes weaken that resolve, and occasionally going "all in" and picking a need as "a hill to die on" to get them to try it is worthwhile. When doing that, make sure the skill and the client are indeed well-suited to each other, and provide support that perhaps goes above and beyond in order to make this experience work. Getting real buy in is key, the wholeheartedly thing, because half-baked work and then "See, it didn't work" will stunt the message and growth and the willingness to try other new things. As always, pointing out even small advances and improved abilities is crucial, giving the client "props" for doing something new and getting better at it, and generally boosting self-confidence and self-awareness with things they have done and have control over is a important tool.
Reading about what colleges to apply to can be boring and intimidating, working on improving job skills while away from work can require extra effort and concentration, searching out possible jobs and crafting cover letters and targeted resumes can be a drag, and asking people to write letters of recommendation or serve as references can take time and effort and be a bit embarrassing, but these are tasks that probably MUST be undertaken sooner than later if people want to keep positive inertia in their lives. That said, the mental acceptance approach that Hans writes and speaks about and frankly embodies (the guy is a world-class mountain speed climber, among other things) is worth keeping aware of, and perhaps mentioning to clients or people that are struggling with new ways of doing things. It's pretty simple, but very true, as the best teaching moments often are!
However, explaining to a client that something that is new can soon be something that is tried and true can sometimes weaken that resolve, and occasionally going "all in" and picking a need as "a hill to die on" to get them to try it is worthwhile. When doing that, make sure the skill and the client are indeed well-suited to each other, and provide support that perhaps goes above and beyond in order to make this experience work. Getting real buy in is key, the wholeheartedly thing, because half-baked work and then "See, it didn't work" will stunt the message and growth and the willingness to try other new things. As always, pointing out even small advances and improved abilities is crucial, giving the client "props" for doing something new and getting better at it, and generally boosting self-confidence and self-awareness with things they have done and have control over is a important tool.
Reading about what colleges to apply to can be boring and intimidating, working on improving job skills while away from work can require extra effort and concentration, searching out possible jobs and crafting cover letters and targeted resumes can be a drag, and asking people to write letters of recommendation or serve as references can take time and effort and be a bit embarrassing, but these are tasks that probably MUST be undertaken sooner than later if people want to keep positive inertia in their lives. That said, the mental acceptance approach that Hans writes and speaks about and frankly embodies (the guy is a world-class mountain speed climber, among other things) is worth keeping aware of, and perhaps mentioning to clients or people that are struggling with new ways of doing things. It's pretty simple, but very true, as the best teaching moments often are!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Easy to uncover TREASURE TROVES of helpful information are right there for you!
For cover letters, inquiry emails, informational interviews, or preparing for interviews (in person or over the phone), few things can provide as much pertinent information as reading a company's "news," "press releases," or "information"website sections, or doing an internet search with the company's name or name of some of the company leaders. This kind of "intel" can really open up great lines of communication and conversation, and show that you are putting in the kind of effort and thought that would be worthwhile having as part of the company.
That said, just tossing out facts and figures with no context is a pretty unsubtle move. What you want to do is connect your talents, experience, and interests with things that are current and happening with the company. Working this into a cover letter or conversation by communicating something like "I noticed that your company is starting to expand into new markets via an online club membership effort, and I have three years of experience setting up and maintaining loyalty club outreach work, as you may have seen on my resume." Or, "I read that (the company) is trying to expand the territory that salespeople will cover, and that reminds of the work that I did introducing (your old company) to new potential clients via cold-calling and targeted outreach to individuals and companies that I researched and put into a detailed data base." Linking what's coming up or important to the company that you would like to be hired by with your own experience and demonstrated talents slowing edges you away from "unknown commodity" status toward the "worth hiring" category. Enough of these nudges and you'll be talking to HR and filling out new hire paperwork...isn't that a nice moment to imagine?
Read the press releases the company puts out, search what newspapers or bloggers might have to say, know industry trends that might affect the company and bring these details out when the moment presents itself. If nothing else, in an interview, using this info during the "So, do you have any questions for me?" time is worthwhile. Better still is doing that linking of you and their needs when they start with the reliable "Tell me a little bit about yourself" interview gambit, and doing it then will give you momentum and confidence as the interview picks up speed.
Knowing the history of the company, some information about the person you might be speaking to in an interview, and the most up to date news on the company is information that you can process and think about and deploy when the time is right...and the right time is always sooner than later!
That said, just tossing out facts and figures with no context is a pretty unsubtle move. What you want to do is connect your talents, experience, and interests with things that are current and happening with the company. Working this into a cover letter or conversation by communicating something like "I noticed that your company is starting to expand into new markets via an online club membership effort, and I have three years of experience setting up and maintaining loyalty club outreach work, as you may have seen on my resume." Or, "I read that (the company) is trying to expand the territory that salespeople will cover, and that reminds of the work that I did introducing (your old company) to new potential clients via cold-calling and targeted outreach to individuals and companies that I researched and put into a detailed data base." Linking what's coming up or important to the company that you would like to be hired by with your own experience and demonstrated talents slowing edges you away from "unknown commodity" status toward the "worth hiring" category. Enough of these nudges and you'll be talking to HR and filling out new hire paperwork...isn't that a nice moment to imagine?
Read the press releases the company puts out, search what newspapers or bloggers might have to say, know industry trends that might affect the company and bring these details out when the moment presents itself. If nothing else, in an interview, using this info during the "So, do you have any questions for me?" time is worthwhile. Better still is doing that linking of you and their needs when they start with the reliable "Tell me a little bit about yourself" interview gambit, and doing it then will give you momentum and confidence as the interview picks up speed.
Knowing the history of the company, some information about the person you might be speaking to in an interview, and the most up to date news on the company is information that you can process and think about and deploy when the time is right...and the right time is always sooner than later!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Entry level or part time work? KEEP IT SIMPLE AND LOCAL
When someone is looking for an entry level or part-time job, "keeping it simple" may be something that eludes them. What I mean by "simple" is trying to find a job that is close to where you live, or really easy to reach if you have to commute a bit. These jobs are not going to be the only job you have in your lifetime; you'll be taking them to get experience, learn "how to work," and start filling out a resume and having some work time that you can talk about when it comes time to apply somewhere else. So, rather than make it challenging to be on time and add hassles to your new job, why not try and find a position that is close by and relatively easy to reach?
I'm not suggesting you take a terrible job just because it's close. I am suggesting that you start the search by walking to businesses that are near where you live and seeing if they have "Help Wanted" signs in the windows, stopping in and asking a manager if they are hiring (rehearse this before you try it and keep it brief) and getting an application or advice how to apply if it's via an online source, or making a list of spots that are close and then going home and doing some internet research to see if the company website has information on open jobs and how to apply.
When you have covered the walkable places, what's the next level of "easy to get to?" Is it a brief bike ride or car trip? Can you get to other businesses via reliable public transit? Finding spots that you can get to easily goes back to that idea of "keeping it simple." When you speak to someone about a possible position, MAKE SURE you let them know that you live close by, or can get to the job easily...no doubt they have hired folks in the past who had problems getting there and may not have lasted, so you separating yourself from this bunch by mentioning your proximity is already starting to get the employer saying "YES" to your possible employability.
Bringing up things like the fact that you live close by, have come to the store/business before and liked it, and/or have had an interest in working there for a prolonged period of time are all examples of things that are worth mentioning when you speak to someone about a job. By saying these things, it keeps edging you towards the moment when the employer will decide that taking the chance of hiring you is worth it, so SAY THESE THINGS rather than just figuring "Oh, she will see my address on the resume" or "he has probably seen me in here buying stuff." Don't leave helpful things unsaid!
I'm not suggesting you take a terrible job just because it's close. I am suggesting that you start the search by walking to businesses that are near where you live and seeing if they have "Help Wanted" signs in the windows, stopping in and asking a manager if they are hiring (rehearse this before you try it and keep it brief) and getting an application or advice how to apply if it's via an online source, or making a list of spots that are close and then going home and doing some internet research to see if the company website has information on open jobs and how to apply.
When you have covered the walkable places, what's the next level of "easy to get to?" Is it a brief bike ride or car trip? Can you get to other businesses via reliable public transit? Finding spots that you can get to easily goes back to that idea of "keeping it simple." When you speak to someone about a possible position, MAKE SURE you let them know that you live close by, or can get to the job easily...no doubt they have hired folks in the past who had problems getting there and may not have lasted, so you separating yourself from this bunch by mentioning your proximity is already starting to get the employer saying "YES" to your possible employability.
Bringing up things like the fact that you live close by, have come to the store/business before and liked it, and/or have had an interest in working there for a prolonged period of time are all examples of things that are worth mentioning when you speak to someone about a job. By saying these things, it keeps edging you towards the moment when the employer will decide that taking the chance of hiring you is worth it, so SAY THESE THINGS rather than just figuring "Oh, she will see my address on the resume" or "he has probably seen me in here buying stuff." Don't leave helpful things unsaid!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
"It takes all kinds" never truer than now!
"Diversity" is a catchword that in quite en vogue these days, and in addition to other kinds of diversity, "neuro diversity" is a goal of many places of employment. People coming at work from different mental places and with different abilities is a highly valuable scenario that is beneficial for the work and the company, but one something possible applicants with unique abilities and personal characteristics may miss considering and undervalue.
Hiring people with their own approaches is a low risk move that companies have become more comfortable with as the years have gone by. As long as you "fit in" enough to be someone that they evaluate as being able to do the work and be someone that does not unduly upset their established corporate culture, they will probably be open to letting you take the position and prove yourself. Additionally, depending on the position, the options of working at home or at a remote location are possibly available and ones that open even more doors for people with unique abilities or evolving personalities.
The takeaway from this post is to not be afraid or intimidated by having unconventional habits, unique social skills, or personal "quirks" that define you. Surveying the job landscape and company options and finding ones that "allow you to be you" while getting the work done in a variety of ways might be easier than you think, and don't let the unknown rule your job search with fear and doubts. You have the right to apply, pursue the job, and be involved in a mutual evaluation of whether the position is right for you and vice versa.
What a boring place any spot is where everyone is expected to act a certain way...your uniqueness may add to your charm and endear you to the people making hiring decisions and your potential co-workers, as long as you apply yourself to the tasks at hand and always try to help others when you can! Your specific "neuro diversity" may be just what they need!
Hiring people with their own approaches is a low risk move that companies have become more comfortable with as the years have gone by. As long as you "fit in" enough to be someone that they evaluate as being able to do the work and be someone that does not unduly upset their established corporate culture, they will probably be open to letting you take the position and prove yourself. Additionally, depending on the position, the options of working at home or at a remote location are possibly available and ones that open even more doors for people with unique abilities or evolving personalities.
The takeaway from this post is to not be afraid or intimidated by having unconventional habits, unique social skills, or personal "quirks" that define you. Surveying the job landscape and company options and finding ones that "allow you to be you" while getting the work done in a variety of ways might be easier than you think, and don't let the unknown rule your job search with fear and doubts. You have the right to apply, pursue the job, and be involved in a mutual evaluation of whether the position is right for you and vice versa.
What a boring place any spot is where everyone is expected to act a certain way...your uniqueness may add to your charm and endear you to the people making hiring decisions and your potential co-workers, as long as you apply yourself to the tasks at hand and always try to help others when you can! Your specific "neuro diversity" may be just what they need!
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