When The Going Gets Tough....

When The Going Gets Tough....
How Will You Make An Impact Today?

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

ACT NOW!

Hello DreaMakers,

It's been 5 months since my last blog, "How to Get Your Foot in the Door!", and I have much to share with you about what happens once you make it in. To be frank, I’ve learned you must go in prepared to ACT, because once you’re in you’ve got a short window to make an impact and maintain your position.

In my earlier years, you could simply show an interest in a career or discipline with a “can do attitude” and someone would give you the chance to prove yourself over time. Today you will find there is more “can do attitudes” than opportunities period. Just a few short years ago, the Employees were calling all the shots, changing jobs every 3 years and demanding more money. Today the pendulum is swinging in favor of the Employer. They want double the return on their investment, and should you ponder whether or not your job is worth it, remember that while you are contemplating your next move, someone else is making theirs.

Furthermore, we are living in a generation that requires you to be adaptable, hardworking and a go getter. Nothing will be given, you must go after it. In fact, if you are sitting back waiting for someone to see your potential or compliment you on your past experience you might get passed over for the one who’s vocal and getting the job done.
Equally important to know, is these days a self-managed, self-directed employee is most attractive to employers because, they too must contribute to the marketplace with innovative ideas, cutting edge technologies and quality products and services. This requires them to outrun their competitors, quite like the settlers once did to claim their piece of land here in America.

Consequently, this ability to think differently is most difficult for the 40 plus generation. This entrepreneurial attitude is somewhat foreign to most of us who have been planning to work “smarter not harder” for the past 20 years. We have to get off our rusty dusty and learn a new way to run and compete. Even though we may be smart, talented and wise in our own eyes, it’s nothing for someone to say, “Yeah I know you have 25 years, but what else you got?” This is a harsh reality that many people face today, and while they deal with anxiety and health issues over this realization, if they don’t ACT, they may find themselves worse off than before.

In light of this reality staring us in the face, the question is what do we do? We find ourselves in uncharted territory, some not knowing where to start. Well, before you ACT remember these things:

1. There is nothing new under the sun Ecclesiastes 1:9,

2. We are a generation that knows how to make something out of nothing

3. We know what to do when we don’t know what to do

Moreover, we must conclude that how we succeed in life today, will secure our future tomorrow. Not what we did over 20 years ago. To stay relevant and ahead is to be prepared to ACT when the door opens. Being adaptable is key and networking without fail with those you most admire is a great strategy. Folks that are having a tough time right now might have a better outcome if they change their vantage point.

We can all become paralyzed if we over analyze our situation. Keep your footing by sticking to the basics and remembering this framework based on the Smitty Methodology. Spend time analyzing after you’ve done your research then get your plan and execute. You are sure to have a different outcome if you ACT NOW!
Smitty Methodology

a.) Decide what you want to do,
b.) Research,
c.) Plan, and
d.) Execute.

  Tangil Smith

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

IT'S YOUR MOVE!

IT'S YOUR MOVE!


Welcome back to my blog. The end of the year is near, and I say, "don't wait til' January to make a career move." I receive inquiries throughout the nation about job opportunities, advice on how to get a foot in the door, or assistance on crafting a better resume. On a regular basis hundreds of applicants are applying for (1) one job! How do you cut down on the competition then? I say, use the "Smitty Method", it works like a charm.

Smitty Method: Developed by H. Smith Sr., my dad. He is a bright, yet simple man,

whose education was minimal, but work ethic and principles kept him employed for
35+ years. This is a four steps process:

1. Identify

2. Research

3. Plan

4. Execute
This 4-Step process, which I have adopted as "The Smitty Method", has assured my success as a working professional for the past 30 years. My dad, an avid gamer (dominoes, cards, ping pong, basketball, baseball, football) is highly competitive, and has taught me to, "always strive to be #1 no matter what the challenge and if you can't be number then be number #2 and let #1 know you were there."
Before you make your move, there are a few things you must understand about the hiring process. As a Recruiter, our job is to post openings, seek qualified applicants, screen candidates, interview, reference check and ensure potential hires are a technical and cultural fit. Throughout that list of tasks, we are making moves all day long.

As an applicant, you must know that the evaluation of your candidacy begins as soon as you make contact with the recruiter, apply online, email or inquire about a position. Don't make the wrong move and start without being prepared. I recommend using the Smitty Method, and going through this 4-Step process before you start; then make your move.

STEP 1: IDENTIFY - What you want to do?

You have to know what type of career you want before you start applying. Look at your resume, identify the trends: a) who you worked for, b) how long you worked, c) what you did, d) tools you used to do the job.

STEP 2: RESEARCH - Find out what it takes to be qualified

In order to convince others that you are the best match for a job, first you must adhere to the required qualifications. The Internet is a powerful tool, but so is networking and social media. Spend a considerable amount of time in this area: a) read multiple job descriptions on sites like Tangil Smith Blog, Linkedin or Indeed.com, b) use salary calculators and look at the cost of living for positions which you are looking to apply, c) look at the required skills: education, years of experience, industry experience, tools and software.

STEP 3: PLAN - You must decide the who, what, when, where and why

If you've played any sport or been a part of any type of team, you know that to win you must have a strategic plan. Who are your competitors? What type of position are you going after? When is the best time to engage the company? Where is the company, can you live there, where will you be in 5 years after you are hired? Why this job, why this company, why not; what are the pros and cons?

STEP 4: EXECUTE - It's your move, "Just Do It", says Nike!

Many people will get to this point and freeze. Fear over takes them with a million and one questions of, "What If!" Take Smitty's advice and I do quote, "study long, study wrong". The time to analyze was during Step 2 and Step 3, when you get to Step 4 it's time to take action.

Instead of giving advice or tips to a hundred prospective candidates individually, I decided to share this simple, yet valuable method that I have used for years. Many people that I have assisted over the years have benefited from the "Smitty Method". You may think that publishing such information will increase the competition, but the truth of the matter is everyone will not follow through.

Will you be the number one candidate? Do you have a method to follow? I've just made my move on the board, "It's Your Move!"

Saturday, September 15, 2012

WHERE IS YOUR DREAM-BOARD?

Welcome back DreaMakers,

As you may have noticed, DreaMakers has been on sabbatical. As the owner of this great consulting business, I have been MAKING DREAMS HAPPEN for myself. I have recently enrolled back in to school, attending UNC Greensboro. I can't tell you how excited I am to put a CHECK next to that on my Dream-Board. I also began a new style of living which includes better environment, healthy foods, exercise and most importantly dedicated spiritual time with God. I call this (SMEP), and it's been great! All of these things were already on my personal Dream-Board listed under, 2012 HEALTHY. So the question of the day is, "Where Is Your Dream-Board?" Life without execution of a Dream-Board is pointless!

If you are not working towards a goal, a plan, or something, "which is ultimately your dreams", then what are you doing. Are you aimlessly going around in circles? Mentally and physically exhausted, and not in the best of health? Head is spinning because everyone else’s crazy has got you in a tizzy? If yes, then you are in a cat5 (dcit) situation; can anyone say, "dog chasing its tail". Or maybe it's cat6 (dsed), "insanity"!; doing the same thing expecting a different result. How did you end up in this category? Why did you let this happen? What's the point?! Where is your Dream-Board? Some people say, "I don't have a Dream-Board per say, but I have a planner." Others say, I am good at making lists, sticky notes or the infamous, I don't need a board, and “it's all in my head!" My observation has been, the Dream-board has beaten them all in effectiveness. If you are not looking at your dreams and them looking back at you every day, how do you stay focus? Life is coming at us all so fast, bouldering new obstacles, an invasion of negligence from loved ones and friends, not to mention the mistakes you stumble upon. Where is your Dream-Board! When you wake up, "BAM!" on the wall there it should be or in your bathroom while brushing your teeth "WAP!" there it should be, or maybe it's in the kitchen or office "POW!", there it should be. Somewhere that you frequent, look, step, ponder or spend anytime should have your DREAMS VISUABLE, for you to see. The dynamics of life will always come with new things for you to focus on and try and keep you in one of those categories. I dare you to try it, and if you haven't been dreaming at all I dare you too start.

Go to your "secret place", and close your eyes in quiet, and began to think of what's important to you. GET OUT of your head everyone else’s needs, wants and plans; and you will find, “IT’S AMAZINGLY REFRESHING!” When creating my list of healthy goals I broke them down, which helped me tremendously. As I stated earlier, SMEP stands for (Spiritual, Mental, Emotional and Physical) needs; as I started making changes in these areas it has been like, breathing for the first time. This of course is a life’s journey of change and discovery, but daily you focus and work on these dreams, and daily you will achieve inroads to all of them. Often in life we are consumed with worry, problems, and tirelessly other people's stuff. This keeps your SMEP in oppression and depression. Now you can understand the need for a sabbatical.

After taking that much needed time of peace and tranquility, it has helped us focus on our needs (which must come first), goals and ideas both personally and professionally. As you can tell by now, I am a DreaMaker, and always will be. As DreaMakers LLC evolves, get your board together and change with us. When you check things off, new thing will come and new things will go; it's a living, breathing movement of your life. Why begin doing anything without one? I'm off to add new things to the board; this is exciting. I can't wait to see what else I can achieve. So DreaMaker, "Where Is Your Dream-Board?"

Please send comments to: tangil@dreamakersllc.com

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

FIND A JOB?

So it's summer and the College students are out of school; most already have there internships and are working.  There are a few stragglers and they seem to be getting at the very least interviews.  However the teens, that is a completely different story, if they did not apply back in late April early May there chances of getting a job in the local Triad area are slim to none. 



DreaMakers has a service available for Teens ages 17-19 to help make them "job ready".  This will include the following:

Resume Preparation
Interview Preparation
Presentation
Online posting
Job Referrals

Call for a free consultation.  This is not a free service, please call for more information.
336-340-3336

Tangil Smith

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

WHATEVER YOU DO MAKE SURE IT'S MUTUALLY BENEFICAL

Hello and Welcome to our DreaMakers LLC Blog.  DreaMakers LLC helps to promote People, Programs and Publications.

PEOPLE - DreaMakers LLC encourage peoples' Dreams, Goals and Ideas.  Giving them a platform in which to begin and connections that will help them build their business and or idea.

PROGRAMS - DreaMakers LLC creates programs that benefit the development and education of Women, Youth and Teens.  We have used Dream Drama for the youth, teaching 1st-5th graders how to use Drama as a tool to build self esteem, confidence and the ability to speak before an audience.  We also offered last year Dream 3-D which is a program that highlights a rising College Freshman academic obstacles and achievements and rewards them with some real life interactions with professionals in the field that they are pursuing.

PUBLICATIONS - DreaMakers LLC will produce publications such as a resource guide of local businesses, industry focused magazines and books that will engage and encourage others to make a difference at home and in their city and local community. 

During these uncertain economic times, Gen X and Y are trying to reinvent, startup and even revolutionize products and services for the future.  Working for a large corporation is no longer a driving force among these two generations.  I just learned that 3 female CEO's under the age of 30 have launched their new companies and in record time are seeing amazing returns. 

So many people that I've talked to this week here locally in the Triad, have given me nuggets of truths that I know, but had not quite comprehended.  The main thing that I heard and can't seem to forget is, "WHATEVER YOU DO MAKE SURE IT'S MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL"!  In speaking to a Healthcare professional, HR professional, a Retiree in Public Service and  a Restaurant management Retiree, I have learned that their personal goals and dreams are not tied to their current employment, marriage and raising of their children.  Somehow people of today have found themselves working in a 70/30 relationship.  Their output in any given relationship could be 70% but the return is 30% in satisfaction.  This does not work in any relationship. Someone will always feel the brunt of the work and feel unsatisfied with the overall results of the relationship.

When working on any relationship no matter if it's the business of being a mom, a son, or a friend make sure that the ROI (Return On Investment) is there; for example,  If you lavish your child with everything they ask for, with the hopes that they will honor what you ask and respect your wishes in return, you may find instead that they resent you and think you are controlling, they might turn out to be disrespectful in their responses and not 100% honest with you.  Unfortunately this Parent / Child relationship becomes only beneficial to the child on the short term because in the end it teaches them not to appreciate your giving and they are left standing on a false sense of entitlement.  This not only goes for male / female relationships, friend relationships but business relationships as well. 

The only time we think of ROI is in business.  However sometimes in effort to  get the business off the ground, some business owners have not protected themselves well and practically given away the farm just to get started.  But this is not the way.  Our message to you today is remember the Smitty Formula, and Whatever you do make sure it's mutually beneficial.  Make it a Win Win for all involved, including you!