What do you mean I’m
FIRED!?!?!?!?
Prepared For:
Risky Business Conference
April 26, 2011
By:
Duke Balboa Halls and
Cassandra Halls
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
The 2 THE TOP Mission
“Give a man a fish and you feed him
for a day. Teach a man to fish and you
feed him for a lifetime.”
Ancient Chinese Proverb
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
2 THE TOP - Career Advancement Strategies
• Founded in 2007
• Initially provided cutting edge resume
development services nationwide
• Expanded services locally by developing
strategic partnerships
• Provide career development services to:
– Individuals
– Students
– Career Transitioners
• Project Management for career development
initiatives
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And then came DUKE BALBOA HALLS!
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
What can I learn from a DOG about
keeping my job?
• A New
Perspective
• Think Outside
the Box
• If Duke can
do it . . . . . . . .
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
How hard is it today to get a job?
• 1 month in job search for every $10,000
you want to earn
• 250-400 resumes received per job posting
• 3% chance of gaining employment by
online application
• More jobs were lost in 2008 than were
created in the last 5 years.
• In 2009, more jobs were lost than existed
in the Great Depression.
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Iowa is At-Will Employment
• You can be fired at any time for any
reason unless you have a contract that
states differently.
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
BE READY!!!!
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Only seek employment if you are serious!
Volunteer to build skills and references!
Try something new and set an example!
Do not pigeon hole yourself!
Work on a career path!
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
Most Common Causes of Termination
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Absenteeism/Being late
Dishonesty
Inability to complete assigned tasks
Personal Business
Inconsistency
Social Skills
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Absenteeism/Being late
• Common Lines:
– There was a death in the family (the same
person for the second time!)
– I have a personal emergency
– I am too sleepy
– My car is broken
– I am sick
– No daycare
– Others?
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A Quick Quiz
• When do you provide notice of needing
time off from work?
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Plan B
• Review employer handbook for policy and
comply
• Talk with your employer about any issues
that may impact your ability to make it to
work
• Identify alternate plans for transportation
and day care
• TAKE WORK SERIOUSLY!!!!!!
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Dishonesty
• Theft/Fraud
• Lying:
– On resume
– During interview
– Time sheets or expense reports
– Not taking responsibility for mistakes
• Improper use of company equipment,
documents or corporate information
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Plan B
• Implications of convictions:
– Disqualify you from particular industries
– Jail time
– Must be reported on future applications
– Perception by employers
• Just don’t take the chance!
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Inability to complete assigned tasks
• Thought you could do it, but realize now . .
• Misunderstood the job assignment when
you interviewed
• Refusing to follow directions or take orders
• Work too slowly
• Sloppy work
• Too many errors
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Plan B
• As soon as you realize this is an issue,
determine the cause:
– Do you need more training/education?
– Communicate with your supervisor
– Clarify and keep a calendar of deadlines
– Ask questions
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Personal Business
• Using company:
– Internet
– Phone
– Office supplies
– Office equipment
– Gossiping
– Using time to do unrelated work
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Plan B
• Review company policy
• Take care of personal business on lunch
hour or schedule time off to do so
• Ask for permission
• Create a schedule for yourself to keep
track of and manage personal business
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Inconsistency
• Really good at some tasks, really bad at
others
• Output is not benefiting the company
• Behavior and productivity is up and down
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Plan B
• Maximize the strengths of your team
• Consider additional training and education
• Communicate with supervisor to
understand the priorities of the assignment
• Seek medical assistance or utilize EAP to
assist with emotional issues impacting
work performance
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
Social Skills
• Not able to get along with others
• Consistently argues with supervisor
• Causing distractions in the workplace
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Plan B
• Attend networking events to learn how to
build relationships
• Share only relevant information
about yourself in the workplace
• Be positive!
• Contribute to your team!
• Do not discuss or disclose
personal problems or issues
with co-workers
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
Impact of Technology
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Be careful what you post
Separate professional and personal
Be respectful
Do NOT accept invitations from people
you don’t know
• Do NOT use inappropriate language
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The Common Question
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A Facebook Exchange
• March 8, 2011
– The post: This job applicant just didn't work
out!
– 27 Comments
•Shoes always tell the real
story.
•In this situation, you've
made the right decision.
•I think it was his business
attire!
•Good help is hard to find.
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First Impressions
• The new data:
First impressions are determined
within the first
5 SECONDS
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Common sense is not
always that common.
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Whose Market Is It?
• The Employers
So what does that mean?
• Employers set the standards.
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What the employers say . . . .
• Sharp appearance is a measure of
– Confidence
– Interest in the position
– Reduces perception
– Helps them focus on you
– Demonstrates your seriousness in the
workplace
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Another Test
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And Now This One
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But They are the Same Person!
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Mistakes to Avoid
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Trendy does not always apply
Dress better than the environment
Hair, piercings, tattoos, make up
Club clothes, wacky shoes
LOW cut tops
LOW hanging pants
Lack of Grooming
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Ask Yourself
Do I
WANT
the job?
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If You Do . . . .
• Clean, fresh appearance
• No perfume/cologne (DEODORANT)
• Business attire (suit, khakis, closed toe
shoes, pantyhose)
• Cover tattoos
• Remove piercings
• Conservative
• Comb your hair!
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
It Doesn’t Change Who You Are
ON THE INSIDE!!!!
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Great Resources on a Limited Budget
• Plymouth Women’s Career Closet
– 705 E. 2nd Street, Des Moines, IA
• Men’s Warehouse
– Commonly donate clothing to IWD
• Goodwill
• Salvation Army
• Local Churches
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INVEST IN YOURSELF
• No excuses
– The Story of Johnny
• This is your future
• It is up to you . . . . .
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In the End . . .
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How to address if you have been
terminated in the past . . . .
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What was the cause?
Let go of the emotional baggage
Practice speaking with confidence
Share the lesson your learned
Share how you will prevent this from
happening in the future
• Recognize and align yourself with new
opportunity
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
The Bottom Line
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Reliable
Problem Solver
Multi-tasker
Relationship Builder
Communicator
Teachable
Do what you say you are going to do
Driven to do good work
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You Can Do It!
“Tomorrow hopes
we have learned
something from
yesterday.”
John Wayne
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2 THE TOP
Career Advancement Strategies
Duke Balboa Halls and
Cassandra R. Halls
(515) 473 – 4980
[email protected]
www.2ttop.com
**Resources used in this presentation are available upon request.
Copyright 2008 To the Top, LLC
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