How many Lucille Ball fans do we have in Spartan Nation who get that reference? My Lucy may have some explaining to do, just not as much as she seems to think. Of course, her name isn’t really Lucy.
Lucy thinks she has a big problem. Despite her brains, down right likability, dedication and the fact she’s been consistently employed since the age of pimples and Friday night trips to the mall with girlfriends, she thinks one job she left a decade ago is an obstacle for her in her current job search.
What happened? Prepare yourself for a horrid tale of deceit, greed and cataclysmic failure. Lucy took on too much in her professional and personal life and resigned from her job so she could get things back into balance. Disappointed the story wasn’t juicier? Yeah, I was too. The way Lucy gasped for breath and her pulse visibly thumped in her neck while telling me the awful truth of the matter, I was sure I was in for a Jerry Springer moment. It wasn’t to be. That’s good news for Lucy.
Lucy does have an obstacle in her job search, however. Like many on a job search, it’s the self-made mountain she has to climb over every time she needs to explain why she left a job. The reason it has to be explained from time-to-time is that Lucy’s career shifted as a result of that age old decision. So why did I call it a self-made mountain? The mountain isn’t the fact she resigned from a job. Hardly. Most people have made the decision to leave jobs through the course of their careers. In fact, having the good sense to walk away from something when you aren’t able to give it your all ranks as a plus in my book. It’s the fact she insists on making it a bigger deal than it needs to be.
I learned early on in sales customers usually follow your lead when it comes to deciding how upset to be about something. If you think you’ve got bad news or something that should preclude you from consideration, the person you are sharing your story with is likely to believe to the same. How could they not? The best way to ensure something that is no big deal remains that way is to believe it yourself. Keeping explanations honest and simple while taking care to not throw emotion, drama and perspiration into the process is the best way to go.
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Lisa joined the Michigan State University Alumni Association as Director of Alumni Career & Business Services on May 1, 2012. Her primary focus is to develop effective networking and resource channels for experienced alumni interested in professional development and job search strategy assistance. Additionally, Lisa works directly with corporate, education, foundation and government partners seeking to attract qualified talent, retain and develop good employees, and establish collaborative relationships in line with their established goals and objectives.
