30 before 30

well, it appears there are 442 days remaining until my 30th birthday. since my life tends to revolve around to-do lists... why not have a 30 before 30 to-do list! so, here we go! feel free to give suggestions to any of these!

1. buy new towels for the bathroom & throw out the old ones
2. go to a nice restaurant downtown wearing a cocktail dress
3. run a 5K straight without walking
4. visit 1 (maybe 2) new states
5. go to see a play/musical/ballet/opera
6. treat myself to a massage
7. read 10 new books
8. get my next tattoo to celebrate the 10yr anniversary of my surgery
9. go on a trip with my sister (without the nieces)
10. take a dance class – something new
11. complete a bike/run race (muddy buddy will suffice)
12. cook thai food at home by my self
13. lose 10 pounds
14. create a morning schedule and stick to it
15. sew a pair of pants that fit correctly
16. go out of the country (preferably someplace new)
17. go skiing
18. do a 50s pinup photo shoot (the classy kind though)
19. start writing the book i’ve been talking about for years
20. spontaneously take a weekend road trip (no planning whatsoever)
21. take an art class – the real kind
22. make fresh homemade bread
23. find a good dermatologist
24. start an etsy shop for grits&lime
25. mail my postsecret
26. make a meal for my family – holiday style
27. host a party
28. complete a sprint triathlon
29. create a real savings account and leave it alone
30. buy something nice for myself from tiffany’s (it is my namesake after all)

top ten things to remember at a job fair

hi there. today i represented my company at the job fair sponsored by congressman peter roskam. in college and as an intern, i attended several job fairs as a potential employee. however, this was the first time that i had attended one as an employer. there were some things that instantly stood out to me and i thought i'd share them in my newest addition of my top ten's.

1) breathe.
the first woman i talked to today was so nervous & i simply reminded her to breathe. she instantly became more relaxed.

2) do not show up in a tshirt and jeans.
or shorts for that matter. you can't compare to the candidate next to you in a suit...

3) prepare your one minute elevator speech.
know what information you want to relay to me and keep it short & sweet.

4) do not solicit.
we're there to talk to potential employees. don't take time away from them!

5) bring a notepad.
take notes and reference the companies and jobs you're actually interested in so you can circle back to them.

6) do not stop by just for the pen.
at least talk to me... otherwise, you're wasting time for both of us.

7) pay attention to your personal hygiene.
wear deodorant, eat a breath mint, brush your hair.

8) do not assume you're going to get an interview.
you still need to sell yourself & have a great resume.

9) have a firm handshake!
a limp handshake conveys weakness and lack of self-confidence.

10) do not give your resume to every company.
you're allowed to be picky. take this time to interview the company! ask questions about culture, values, jobs, and benefits!

formspring.me (gaining computer skills)

I would like to work on developing my computer skills. Due to my current situation, I do not have a home PC. How would you recommend that I get the training I need?

Take advantage of the resources around you. First (if you are currently employed), discuss training opportunities with your current manager. There are several CBT courses available that you can do from your desk. Additionally, check with the local library. Often they have computers for use. As well, there are multiple training classes you can take online. Lastly, check with local colleges or universities. Typically, they offer continued education classes and you may find something related to gaining computer skills. Best of luck!

Ask me anything

formspring.me (creating a professional image)

I'm wanting to enhance my professional image but don't know how to do that? Suggestions?

You professional image is very important to developing your career. First, consider the qualities that you want to portray. Then, make a list of people you admire that represent those same qualities. The list may start out with "famous" people. When it comes to dressing for success, you may want to consider mimicking their style. Make sure that you add people to your list that work at your current organization, as well as people in your network (school, professionals in the same field, church, or other social activities). Take the time to sit down with these people. Ask them questions about tips they have for you to develop your personal image.

Ask me anything

check it out

Well, well.... Who would have known? I am attempting to be tech-savvy. Thanks to the help from Nicole! Thankfully Blogger makes it fairly easy to be tech savvy. It's mostly point, click, copy & paste. Phew!

Anyways, I've added the feature on the right-hand side giving you the opportunity to ask me anything related to training or recruiting. I guess you could ask personal questions too... But that doesn't mean I'll answer them...

a small sense of accomplishment

I lead several management training classes on giving feedback, both positive and constructive, and completing performance appraisals. The main piece of advice that I give my managers is that you need to document conversations had throughout the year whether its a notebook, file of pieces of paper, or in electronic format.

Last year, this concept got me thinking a little more about myself and the feedback that I receive throughout the year. So, at the start of 2009, I decided to keep a list of all my accomplishments throughout the year. This simple list turned out to have multiple uses in the long run!

* When it came time this week to complete my 2009 self-appraisal at work, this list helped support my reasoning for "Meeting Expectations" and, even more so, in those cases where I felt like I had "Exceeded Expectations." Merit raises are attached to our performance score. If I can document that I not only stepped up to the plate, but actually hit a grand slam, I'll more likely be eligible for a higher increase! Fingers crossed!!!

* Currently, I'm in the process of updating my resume. Not because I'm looking for a new job, because let's face it.... I have my dream job and I work for a GREAT company! However, it's always beneficial to have an updated resume (but that's a completely separate post). Having this list will help me clearly define my job responsibilities and accomplishments!

* I think the most important use of this list is that it helps build a sense of self and in the best way too. This list shows that I am talented and that when I put my mind to something, I can create and deliver wonderful things! This list proves one thing. I. am proud. of me.

Some of you may be thinking... Tiffany, this sounds very similar to your new year's resolution. Well, you're right. This small list of work-related accomplishments reminded me that I've accomplished many other things in my personal life as well.

So, here are a few of my favorite accomplishments from 2009 that I'm most proud of:
* Designed and implemented a training & certification program for our online tool
* Proposed, Sold the Concept, Designed, & Implemented an internal Career Fair designed to build retention and encourage career development
* Introduced & lead new training program for managers
* Took over responsibility to write articles for the Training & Development portion of our monthly newsletters
* Designed three new online surveys to encourage feedback and obtain metrics on satisfaction for Training & Recruitment
* Successfully filled 24 positions (10 of which were internal transfers!!!)
* Documented the recruitment process & joined our Quality Improvement Process team to improve upon the Internal Transfer Process

how long is a new year?

How long does a new year last? Well, at least until you stop referring to it as the new year? Well, we're still here and I'm keeping up with my new year's resolution! Although, they say that it takes three weeks to make something a habit... Day 17 - not so bad. Although, check back with me in three months... That will be an accomplishment!

Day 10. Not only do I thrive in situations where I can learn something new, but also in those that allow me to be creative (i.e. previous post)
Day 11. While at the townhall meetings for my company, I learned the results of 2009 and the goals for 2010. Most importantly, I was reminded why I love working for LeasePlan
Day 12. I can use my creativity to hone in on my insomnia issues. If I get the idea out of my head and on paper/ on canvas/ on fabric, I'll be able to sleep easier.
Day 13. The notion of starting my own company with my best friend is becoming a reality. Welcome grits&lime!!!
Day 14. I read a great article about self image and ways to remind your how special you are.
Day 15. Sometimes all you need is a good night's sleep for a little fresh perspective.
Day 16. Always go with your gut. It usually steers you in the right direction.
Day 17. I finished my first sample for grits&lime and couldn't be more excited and proud of myself.

a little inspiration: with a twist

This blog was originally created to provide tips, feedback, new ideas, and suggestions about recruiting, training, and career development as a whole. Some of the information is geared toward my fellow recruiters and trainers, although even more so for my fellow followers, friends, and those looking to distinguish themselves. More importantly, this blog was designed to be a creative outlet for myself. In a way, it was really a chance for me to distinguish myself.

In recent months, I've come to realize that I am, in fact, a creative person. Not only do I thrive in situations where I am continually learning something new, but in situations where I can be creative and put my hands to work. I've been sewing as long as I can remember and have always loved making gifts for my family. Most recently, I started painting which has been an amazing release for me. Now, you may be asking yourself why I'm so surprised at realizing this about myself... Well, I'm always great at using the analytical side of my brain. I've always been good at math, love working with spreadsheets, and even come up with random equations in my head while running (trust me, I know how odd that sounds). My entire family is like this and I've always been steered in that direction because its what made the most sense.

Well, it may have taken almost 28 years to figure this out about myself, but I couldn't be more excited. Actually, let me rephrase that. I couldn't be more inspired. That inspiration has lead me to work with one of the dearest and most creative friends I know, Nicole, to start grits & lime. So follow us @gritsandlime for updates on what's to come and check out {nicole galletta} for a great explanation of how we came up with the name!

tiffany's top ten for interviewing internally

Hello All. Most Americans are feeling the pains when it comes to searching for a job, and it seems as if there simply are not any out there. The reality of the situation is that most companies are simply not filling roles, and if they are, they're filling them internally. As a recruiter, I feel that my role is not simply to weed out candidates, but rather nurture and grow my current employee base.

Top Ten Tips for Interviewing Internally

1. When applying, always provide a resume even if not asked for one.
Managers from another department may not be aware of your prior work experience or accomplishments.

2. Provide a letter of recommendation or job-related kudos.
You may be pleasantly surprised about the supportiveness of your supervisor when it comes to helping you advance.

3. Emphasize your specific experience and extensive knowledge of the company.
Discuss how this knowledge makes you the ideal person for the job, but provide details. Don't assume the interviewer knows all about your past accomplishments.

4. User your "insider knowledge."
Come up with answers to expected questions that will target what the interview wants to hear. For example, if they continually emphasize the importance of customer service, be sure to talk specifically about how you've enhanced customer service in your current role.

5. Research the position for which you are applying.
Talk to people who work in that department; find out what they're currently working on, and their goals - then prepare to talk about how you can help to achieve those goals during the interview.

6. Come prepared to the interview.
Prep for some of the "most asked" questions; as well, come with your own questions as well. Internal candidates often forget that they are interviewing the manager as well to guarantee this is the right fit for them.

7. Think outside-the-box with your responses.
In case the hiring supervisor is thinking about bringing in an external candidate because they feel a need for a fresh perspective and/or new ideas, be sure to work your creativity into your answers. Show that you can be innovative and inventive, and are full of "fresh" ideas yourself!

8. "Sell" yourself just as if you were interviewing for another company.
Be careful not to sound too casual or overly confident, especially if you and your interviewer know each other well. You may have a great advantage over external candidates, but don't assume that's all you'll need.

9. Don't assume you will know the interviewer(s).
They may bring in additional interviewers from other departments to provide an unbiased interview panel.

10. Always, always, always ask what the next steps are.
This simple step shows that you are truly interested in the position. This is also a great way for you to hone in our your investigative skills to see how interested they are in you. Interested managers will share the process in detail. Hiring managers that are not interested tend to be vague.

summer time reviews...

Wow! I can't believe we're already in the middle of June. Where did the year go? We've hit the summer months which typically means that it's time for mid-year reviews. This is a time for you and your manager to look at what you’ve accomplished since the beginning of the year and what you plan to do in the remainder.

In preparation for your review, here are some guidelines to help you, the employee, with your role in the process.

Planning & Preparation
* Review performance expectations and competencies and ask for clarification if needed.
* Prepare a list of your accomplishments and progress to date.
* Make note of difficulties or obstacles you’ve encountered in completing your goals for the year.
* Obtain feedback from others when necessary.

Completing Your Self Appraisal
* Keep an objective perspective when completing your self-appraisal.
* Consider the wording of the goal carefully before selecting whether you meet expectations.
* Provide examples of successes and difficulties.
* Save your appraisal as a draft until you are comfortable with your self-appraisal.

Meeting with Your Supervisor
* Be an active participant in the discussion with your supervisor.
* Remain open and receptive to the feedback from your supervisor.
* Make the discussion easier by asking questions like, “What else could I have done to improve X” or “Do you have any suggestions for me?” Then listen carefully.
* Provide specific examples of what you’ve done particularly well and where you would like to improve.
* Discuss what you plan to achieve by the end of the fiscal year, and ask what your supervisor expects you to achieve in this timeframe.
* Share progress you have made toward your own development plan with your supervisor.

Completion & Follow-up
* Thank your supervisor for their feedback.
* Recommit yourself to a successful year.
* Periodically ask for additional feedback on your performance.
* Seek out coaching and informal update opportunities.
* Consider special projects/assignments.
* Actively seek learning opportunities and bring to the attention of your supervisor.
* Take responsibility for personal continuous improvement and development.

another top 10

Have you ever left an interview and thought to yourself, "Dang, I had the perfect answer for that!" knowing that you completely froze when you were asked it... Well, the key to a great interview is being prepared. Take the time to actually write out your answers to these top ten interview questions, and it wouldn't hurt to practice in the mirror either. Trust me! It helps!

Top Ten Interview Questions to Prepare For

1. Tell me about yourself.
Tip: Talk about a couple of your key achievements making sure to focus on highlights of your resume.

2. Tell me about your current/last position. What did you like best about it? Least?
Tip: Be prepared to provide specifics.

3. What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
Tip: Discuss your number one strength making sure to provide a good example. For your weakness, find something that you are currently working on. Provide an example of how you’re working to improve on it.

4. Can you provide me an example of when you provided great customer service?
Tip: Explain the problem/project, discuss the action you took, and provide what the results were.

5. What motivates you in the workplace?
Tip: Challenge, creativity, success, and opportunity are the most used. You can also mention specific skills that you enjoy using such as problem solving, decision making, listening, or counseling others.

6. Did you gain any relevant experience during this time period?
Tip: Most likely, they’re referring to gaps in your work history. Keep your answers professional and work-related. Talk about skills you developed, gained, or worked on while un-employed. You may want to talk about time management skills, how to deal with adversity, problem solving, decision making, etc.

7. What is the most difficult situation you’ve ever faced?
Tip: Pick an example which you successfully resolved a tough situation in the work place. Tell the story briefly and try to reveal as many good qualities as possible. The interviewer is looking for qualities such as perseverance, good judgment, and maturity in a work situation.

8. What experience do you have that will make you the ideal candidate for this position?
Tip: This is a great opportunity to sell you. Talk about your strengths (including ones you did not mention previously) and how they fit the needs of the company. Do your research on both the company and the position before going into the interview.

9. What is the most important thing you are looking for in a job?
Tip: Figure out what it is that you value most in a company and position. You may value challenge, good working conditions, training, or friendly co-workers. Talk about one or two of those items.

10. Have you ever been convicted by any Federal, State or any other law enforcement authorities for any violation of Federal, State, County, or municipal law, regulation, or ordinance?
Tip: This may appear on your application. If so, answer truthfully. If you are offered the job, they will most likely do a background check and its better to be forth-coming with this information. For many companies, this does not omit you as a candidate for the position. If asked about it during the interview, find the positive and talk about how you have moved on from this discretion. There is no need to go into detail. If the interviewer is concerned about your credibility, mention that you can provide a list of professional references that would be able to vouch for your character.

a little inspiration goes a long way

My friend, Nicole, has recently been on this huge kick of finding something positive in all this doom and gloom, and I've decided its about time to join her!

Even more recently, Nicole (yeap! the same one!) has been let go from her job. Although this was a swift kick in the gut (as I'm sure it would be for anyone out there going through a similar situation), Nicole has taken on an immensely positive attitude. Nicole looked at her situation, not as a mark of bad fortune, but as an opportunity and is taking life into her own hands.

Although the afore-mentioned job was here in Alpharetta where we both reside, we call Savannah home. Nicole's been comtemplating her move back to Savannah for some time now, and losing her job really and truly did offer her the right timing and opportunity to make this work for her.

In the past two weeks, I've watched Nicole take the next step (and a giant one at that) in her career. She's put herself in an opportunity to be very happy in the town we both love and call home and make herself known in the industry she loves and (i know) she will thrive in. She's already applied for a few jobs in the Savannah area that are right up her alley and exactly what she wants to be doing. Not only that, but 1) she's teamed up with two other talented individuals to create their own team to design websites, 2) she's being asked by companies what her consultative fee is for marketing advice, 3) she's already been asked to plan a wedding, and 4) a press release she wrote at the afore-mentioned job was just picked up by msnbc!

It's people like Nicole that inspire me to keep doing what I love! Good things CAN happen, even in crappy times like these. Like I always say - the decision is yours! What are you going to do with your career? What opportunities have just been presented to you?

its all about you

Career Development can be a really vague term at times, but what it really boils down to is what are YOU doing to make yourself a better candidate, employee, boss, or even co-worker?

Earlier in the year, I put together an internal Career Development Fair for my company. We got a huge response, which was exactly what I had hoped for. However, I think that people tend to forget or not grasp the most important part of Career Development. I can teach as many classes in one day, one week, one year as possible, but if you're not playing an active part in that session, what's the point? Don't get me wrong... I LOVE what I do! I feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world! I love providing support to those who want to do something for themselves... but I can't hold your hand through all the steps. You have to actively participate in your own career development, because I can tell you - It's not going to be handed to you.

What's the moral of the story? Get inspired! Think about the changes you want to make and GO FOR IT!!! If you realize you're lacking a certain skill, step up to the plate and find a way to acquire or develop that skill. If you're wanting to learn something new, take the initiative and go out and buy a book, do some research, take a class! Your life is in your hands and there are endless opportunities!

doing what i love... with purpose

I really am lucky. I do love what I do. What I love even more is being able to help others while doing what I love to do!!! I recently had the opportunity to do so.

Last Friday, I was able to go downtown to the Atlanta Children's Shelter. They are a day-care facility for homeless children. They also offer programs to assist the parents in their home and job search. I lead a session on the Do's & Don'ts of Interviewing. It was a really great session and I was really impressed with the questions they asked once they finally opened up.

The experience was the best part of it all. I was actually able to take what I do on a day-to-day basis and use it to help those in need and provide reassurance for each of them in the job market. It was such an uplifting day.

learn, act, grow!

I'm so ridiculously excited!!! This is my baby!!! I proposed this idea less than a year ago when I was applying to be the new Trainer & its actually coming to fruition!!! This is such an amazing experience! I'll keep you updated!!!


Are you interested in getting your undergraduate degree? Or going back for your master's? But you're not sure if you're ready?

Would you like to have someone take a look at resume to make sure it's ready to go when the next opportunity arises?

Are you thinking about making a career shift here at LeasePlan, but want some questions answered first?

Not exactly sure how to handle stress in your personal/professional life & would like the opportunity to talk to others on how they handle it?

Would you like to know more about Tuition Reimbursement and what colleges are local?

Ready to make your New Year's Resolution, but not exactly sure how to set the goal & stick with it?

Not great at Networking and would like some tips & tricks of the trade?


These questions and MORE will be answered during LeasePlan Academy's Career Fair "Learn, Act, Grow!"

Mark your calendars the week of February 9th and keep an eye out for more information to come!

and the winner is...

Hello all!!! I'm sorry I've been away for the past couple of weeks, but I'm back!

Just a quick update on our Women's Professional Development Series which I mentioned in the last entry. The third program just started up so we've got a fresh new set of women ready to development their careers! It's very exciting! I love working for company that continually finds new & interesting ways to develop their employees.

On another extremely exciting note - this program helped LeasePlan win a Client Advisor Award!!! The Client Advisor Awards are designed to set the standards for best practice behavior and results in the relationships between professional services firms (in this case, the company we partnered with to design the program was PathBuilders) and their clients (us). Both the professional services firms & the clients can be nominated for the award, and in this case, LeasePlan was nominated for our group and we won the award as well!!!

what are your strengths?

Last year, I participated in a 4 day series (that lasted over the course of 8 months) that my company offers to the women of the organization. We use an outside vendor that specializes in career development for women. The course is designed to talk about many issues women face in the workplace & how to set yourself up to succeed. Over the course of this blog, I'll be sure to touch on several of the topics we covered.

Before we even started the series, we each read "Now, Discover Your Strengths" by Marcus Buckingham. This was such an eye-opening book to read. It discusses the idea that in order to succeed & be happy, you must first discover what your strengths are & focus on those rather than focusing on trying to strengthen your weaknesses. You also take the StrengthsFinder test which helps determine what your top 5 strengths are. Let me tell you, this test could not have hit the nail more squarely on the head. It was me to a tee (no pun intended). My #1 strength is that I'm a Learner. Let me tell you - This really put my whole life into perspective for me. My entire life, I've been the wierd kid that loves going to school. If there is one thing that I've learned from reading this book is that I thrive in situations where I'm learning new things. Finally explains why I always enjoyed going to school, reading books, watching educational movies/shows, and why I always wanted to be a teacher. Some may ask why I didn't become a teacher; well, let's say that I learned very early on in college that I did not want to spend 8 hours a day with the little ones. I realized after reading this book & taking the course that I need to be in a job that allows me to learn new things on a daily basis. That's when I realized I should (and wanted to) become a trainer.

I guess the point that I'm trying to make is find out what you're good at... You can figure it out pretty easily by paying attention to what makes you happy during the day. When we succeed, something triggers inside our heads & we immediately feel happy. So find out what your strength is & figure out how to make it work for you. Find the job or the aspects of your job that truly make you happy. Take the work out of your job!!!!

On another note, the Wall Stret Journal recently picked up the story of the program. Take a look and stay tuned for more. Also, we're (along with the 3rd party firm that created the program for us) are finalist for a 2008 Client Advisor Award, an award to honor clients & advisors who consistantly and cooperatively foster and grow successful client advisor relationships. This program has just started its third round & I believe there will be several more.

welcome!!!

Hello all & welcome to my blog! I've been juggling the idea of starting a blog designed to specifically talk about recruiting, training, & career development. I've always enjoyed blogging, and helping people find their place in the world is my passion - so why not bring the two of them together.

So, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have a B.S. in Speech Communication from Georgia Southern University. My professional background includes roles in Sales & Account Management Support, Account Management, Recruiting, & Training. My current role is Recruitment & Development Specialist. I'm responsible for developing & maintaining our recruitment program, as well as responsible for the on-boarding of our new hires. I conduct several training classes designed to assist in the development of our current emloyee base, including New Hire Orientation, online training, & career development courses.