Yolanda M. Owens
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My American Hero

6/4/2016

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In honor of Mohammad Ali's passing on June 3, 2016,
​I’d like to share some personal thoughts...
My father was a boxer. He died when I was two. But boxing was always a part of my life and Mohammed Ali was my idol; like the father I never got to know.

My mother never talked or shared about my father's boxing career. But she always let us watch Mohammed Ali's fights or called us to watch when he interviewed or appeared on television. I'm still mesmerized by his charisma, quick wit, activism, big heart, and being unashamedly Black. When I was seven, my mom made a telethon donation because Ali was taking calls and knew how much I wanted to do my Ali and Howard Cosell impression for him (I didn't get to speak to him by the way. But the story was worth the donation).

I've never stopped following Mr. Ali or thinking of him as a father-figure. So his passing, for me, is deeply personal. And my respect and love for the man and his legend will never die.
​God brought home a true Champion. And my dad has a new sparring partner in heaven.

​Love, peace and light Mr. Ali. May your spirit, numerous gifts and lessons
you've given us live on forever. 🐝
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Yes, Your Job Search Can Benefit Your Taxes

2/13/2015

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Yes, Your Job Search Can Benefit Your Taxes
By Yolanda M. Owens

While many of you are hitting up Cupid to plan your Valentine’s Day rendezvous this month, others are speed dialing accountants to prepare for their annual tax date with Uncle Sam. Yes, my friends. It’s tax season. And while it’s not the most exciting topic (nor comes with candy and flowers) it is a necessary evil. And for all you job seekers out there, you could get a little extra something, something from dear old Uncle Sammy for your efforts this year. 

So how can your job hunt help improve the date with your tax preparer?

Believe it or not, Uncle Sam understands that pounding the pavement can put a dent in your wallet.  So there is a silver lining to all those career fairs, networking events, and sweaty palms you’ve endured on your search for employment bliss. If you’re looking for a new job (even while currently employed) there are some expenses you can deduct.

What’s Deductible?
  • Resume Preparation Costs.  So if you pay to have your resume written or revamped (ahem, check out CareerSensei Consulting) make sure to keep the receipt and bring it on your tax date.
  • Job Search Travel and Transportation Costs. Uncle Sam may be willing to cut you a break for those out-of-town career fairs and interviews.  So keep track of those frequent flier miles, parking receipts and cab fares you’ve accumulated while on the hunt.
  • Postage, Mailing and Express Delivery Fees.  While most applications processes take place online, you may find instances where snail mail (or paying to fax information) is the submission of choice. Keep the receipts.
  • Outplacement or Employment Agency Fees.  I like to call these employment matchmakers.  As long as the agency or service is matching you with a job in your same field/profession, you can submit this as a deduction. 

Prequalifiers…
C’mon. You had to know there would be some stipulations.  Uncle Sam’s not THAT easy. The fact you’re on the job market alone doesn’t give you a free ride on the deductions train.  You need to meet a few criteria first.
  • You must file an itemized tax return.  So if you’re a standard deduction filer and your tax person advises you to stay that way, you’ll have the exit the deduction train here.
  • The new job has to be in the same profession. If you decide to become a comedian after working as a dentist for the past 20 years, those Improv class expenses aren’t deductible.
  • If you’re a job search virgin – say, your first job out of college or in the job market for the first time – unfortunately, you WON’T be able to board the deduction train either. Sorry!
  • You can be currently employed. If you’re on the job but looking for greener pastures, you can still itemize your job search deductions.  Bonus -- you can do this without being offered a new job.
  • You can’t already have been reimbursed for the expenses. No double dipping! If your employer has already paid for your outplacement fees, or a company reimbursed you for interview travel expenses, you can’t deduct it on your taxes.

I realize this may have created some additional to-do items on your tax date prep list.  However, I hope it will ease your pre-date jitters and give your wallet a much needed tax break. Happy filing!


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Yolanda M. Owens is an author chick who's fluent in humor and employer dating issues. Her book How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

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5 Things Recruiters Look for in a Resume

6/23/2012

2 Comments

 
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Yolanda M. Owens is an author chick who's fluent in humor and employer dating issues. Her book How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

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5 Things Recruiters Look for in a Resume
By Yolanda M. Owens

Have Recruiters Seeing STARS!
You've heard people say that when they met that special someone, they saw fireworks. Well, when a potential employer reads your resume, they should see S.T.A.R.S. (Simple; Truthful; Assertive; Results-driven; Swagger). 

A resume should be intriguing and informative, alluring yet accurate, should tell a story, but leave room for conversation and the reader wanting more. So how do you accomplish this without sounding cliche, self-absorbed, or like you're trying to hard? Follow the S.T.A.R.S. guide below and win the attention of recruiters who will be screening your resumes.

Simple = Skip the fancy formatting! Recruiters respect the fact that you're innovative and have a knack for clipart and textbox formatting. But at the end of the day, just keep it simple, sunshine! Be more graphic about the skills and deliverables you have to offer than showing off your flair for
clip art.

Truthful =
Make your resume sound interesting but keep it accurate. In other words, save the embellishments for your outfits. Most companies conduct background checks on your resume information, so that little white lie could banish you to the unemployment line.

Assertive =
Don't be afraid to toot your own horn! That's why they call the resume a brag sheet. It's an opportunity to show what you've accomplished. But keep it professional and relevant to the position(s) you're applying for. You don't need to list every accomplishment you've made since your third grade spelling B! 

Results-Driven =
Focus on your deliverables and quantify them. This will make you stand out among the competition. Anyone can say they make widgets. But if you say you made widgets 25% more efficiently while saving the company $10k in production costs, you'll get more attention.

Swagger =
Having swagger means taking that extra step to tactfully get someone's attention and getting them to want to know more about you. This means showing you put some thought and effort into your resume before dispatching it. A well-crafted, thoughtful resume is the first step in demonstrating that you've got game.

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How to Get Out of an Employer Dating Slump

5/19/2012

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How to Get Out of an Employer Dating Slump
By Yolanda M. Owens

Dear How to Score a Date with Your Potential Employer,
I've been looking for a job for almost 6 months and haven't landed anything yet. I've posted almost 400 resumes to various job boards and still nothing. Help!  --R.A., Washington, DC

First let me say that I admire your tenacity and congratulate you on sticking with it!  It's easy to get discouraged when you don't get attention from employers right away.  But don't take your employer "dating" hat out of the ring just yet! You see, finding a job is an investment; and with any investment, you need to diversify.  You can't "date" an employer by simply posting your profile on job boards or blind contacting employers through social media. It takes more than 140 characters and some emoticons to start a relationship. So here are a few tips to amp up your job search:

Patience is a virtue. The reality is job seeking doesn’t happen overnight. Your ego and patience will have its fair share of blisters from pounding the pavement and you’re going to make a few trips around the employment search block before landing a position.  Employers will take their time in getting back to you, making decisions on where they want the relationship to go…You may find yourself involved with an all talk, no action employer or employers you just don’t have
chemistry with.  In the midst of it all, build your professional network and learn from your mistakes and successes throughout the process.  The right opportunity will come along, and your patience will be virtuously rewarded.

Hang with people who are already in a relationship. Your single friends (aka those also swimming in the job market pool with you) are your competition.  So find happier ponds to swim in by keeping in contact with friends who have jobs at companies you’d consider working for.  They’re in a better position to provide you information on current openings, names of hiring managers, and can refer you for positions through employee referral programs.  Visit sites like http://www.bettergrind.com that help you find a job where friends work.

Make yourself uncomfortable.  Stop relying solely on job boards to look for positions.  In order to find where the jobs are, you need to give a little face time. Get out and mingle.  Go outside your comfort zone of people, places and things you typically do and take plenty of business cards with you.  Contact individuals from your alumni association, be a plus-one at a company sponsored event, attend a professional networking happy hour...Unexpected things come from unexpected places so expect the unexpected and see what opportunities follow when you dare to stray from the path.  You’ll have more possibilities when you let yourself go outside the box.

Have a "pre-date" through an informational interview.  Instead of blindly contacting someone to ask them for a job, stroke their ego and build a rapport before asking them for an official "date".  Send an email or message via LinkedIn (if you don't have a LinkedIn account I STRONGLY suggest you get one!) telling the individual that you're interested in their field, company, project, etc. and would love to schedule an informational interview to discuss their involvement.  Never send your resume with your initial request.  Give the individual an opportunity to respond first so your first impression isn't tainted by looking presumptuous or
opportunistic. If you feel the need to include some professional info about yourself,  be subtle and add a link to your LinkedIn profile to your email signature. Once you've established a relationship, then you can talk about your interest in working for the company and how that individual can help you make it happen.

Mind your manners. No matter the outcome of any job search situation, always remember to follow up with a thank you.  Common courtesy goes a long way. So while you may not have landed the opportunity you applied for, taking the time to say "thank you" at the end of any job search contact could keep you top-of-mind for the next opportunity that crosses that person's desk.

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Yolanda M. Owens is an author chick who's fluent in humor and employer dating issues. Her book How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

3 Comments

Finding Summer Love in the Employment Market

5/12/2012

1 Comment

 
PictureMix resumes with your SPF
Finding Summer Love in the Employment Market
by Yolanda M. Owens
Oh, the lure of summer! Back yard barbecues, beach parties, and outdoor happy hours are the perfect summer settings for finding love; especially if you’re in the market for a new employer.  Whether the boy-next-door or the business down the street, summer is the season for everything relaxed.  So take advantage of casual dress codes, summer hours, and company picnics to scope out new employer prospects.

So how do you mix summer fun and sun in your employment search?  Here are a few tips to go along with your SPF 30…

Get Referred.  That’s right, get someone to refer you. Employee referrals take top priority with recruiters when interviewing potential candidates.  Couple that with slower markets during
the summer seasons and you have a winning combination.  Many companies and employment agencies use the summer to promote their employee referral programs and can offer referrers upwards of $5K for candidates they refer that get interviewed or hired.  So scroll through your rolodex and bring your resume along with your killer potato salad to the next cookout and see where the summer takes you.

Party  with a Purpose.  Summer is the perfect time for meeting and greeting.  Use your charms to be a plus one at company picnics, professional organizations, class reunions and alumni networking events. Get your name out there and get a sense of the hiring climate while chilling by the pool.  You never know what opportunities could be waiting poolside so be prepared to dive in when they do!

Be an Accidental Tourist. If your job search is open to relocation, consider planning your summer vacation in a place you may want to move to.  Ask your friends for contacts they may have in the area or contact your alma mater’s alumni association or career center and get a list of area alums.  Then contact them and set up meet and greets or mini reunions over
coffee/happy hour. You can also play the tourist card and sneak in an informational interview while taking in the sites with your contacts. Not only will you get the insider view of your potential new home/employer, you’ll stroke the contact’s ego by giving him/her the opportunity to show off what they love about their city.

Capture the Moment.  Follow up can be a little awkward in ordinary networking scenarios.  But summer makes it easier and much more creative with casual settings, sunsets and a little help from technology.  Take a camera with you to networking events and capture some Kodak moments.  Then forward the pictures with a “pleasure meeting you…” email.  By sharing summer memories you’ll keep your name filed away in their mental rolodex for future opportunities and have your own memory book of people you want to stay connected with.


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Yolanda M. Owens is an author chick who's fluent in humor and employer dating issues. Her book How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

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My Inspiration from "The Help"

9/24/2011

4 Comments

 

My Inspiration from "The Help"
by Yolanda M. Owens

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I was reading Kathryn Stockett's 'the Help' this morning and was inspired by a particular line…"Write about what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else."  I read this and thought to myself, what's the use of having your own blog if you only write what matters to someone else?  For those of you who know me, you know conformity is a word I can spell but has no meaning in my vocabulary or character.  So I'm taking some motherly advice from 'the Help' and channeling my inner free-spirit for this blog article.

So what, may you ask, disturbs this author chick/recruiting sensei/educator when she's not doling out employer dating tips?
     
I'm disturbed by the fact that the youthful ambition that sparks creativity often matures into an entitled apathy that produces mediocre crap.  I often say inexperience is the mother of all creation. Some of the best things in life were procreated from "duh" moments and the happenchance of not knowing what the hell you're doing.  So why does age, experience, and society make this a flaw instead of celebrating its genius?  Somewhere in history Never-Never Land was deemed an unrealistic place.  But youth should never be the place where we leave our originality and determinations to die.
   
I'm disturbed that living out loud is a buzzword trend without a filter.  Living out loud is an art that not everyone is meant to emulate.  So before you toot your own horn, keep in mind that there are times in life when it's more effective to be seen and not heard. In other words, listen before you speak and leave a little mystery.  Just because it's in real time doesn't mean the message is  appropriately on time.
  
I'm disturbed that conferences that were established to create calls to action are now merely pacifiers of tradition. Conferences have lost their purpose. They're all rhetoric with no resources.  Back in the day (I'm disturbed to be old enough to use that phrase) conferences were held to educate and equip people with resources to fill necessary gaps and make them viral.  Now conferences are politically correct vent sessions assembled to pacify collective problems and stroke collective egos.  However, the only solutions coming out of these conferences are the fact that a panel of 'experts' discussed it via moderator followed by a brief Q&A session.  It's like attending a catered staff meeting where you leave thinking "there's 3 hours of my life and $1500 I'll never get back".  People need to be empowered by more than eloquently crafted answers and hypothetical solutions.  I'm tired of attending conferences feeling like I've had a caught-up-in-the-moment experience with a check left on the nightstand.

There you have it. A glimpse of my current thought bubbles.  Will they produce any future life altering articles? Probably. Not. But exhaling my angst has been cathartic and utterly blogasmic. So be on the lookout for more rants in the future keeping in mind, it's not you (it's me) that's fueling them.

PictureYolanda M. Owens

Yolanda M. Owens is a college recruiting specialist and award-winning author of  How to Score a Date with Your Potential Employer, an employment guide for young professionals that parallels job searching with dating from the lens of a corporate recruiter.

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Casting Call

8/28/2011

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Avoiding Fashion Faux Pas on the Job Search Casting Call
by Guest Blogger Tori

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Make them that matter aware you know your role.


In a tribute to fashion week, we’re talking fashion dos and don’ts on the hunt for all things employment. So I’ve asked makeup artist guru Tori, to give readers some tips on how to look stylish while pounding the pavement in this guest blog article.



Listening to the daily chorus of high employment accented by the beat of a slow economic recovery can make for a depressing soundtrack. It can also subconsciously make your job “audition” less than stellar before you even press ‘upload’ for your resume. True, many people are up for the same position; but make your “audition” or interview one employers will never forget by dressing the part and putting on your “game” face on.

In theatre, you’re taught to research for the role you’re auditioning. The same holds true for your interview. The best way to do this is to check out the appearances of people in the position you’re applying for and the attire of the people in the role that you ultimately would like to have.

For the ladies…Unless your interview is in the fashion or beauty industry, a suit in a conservative color (blue, black, gray) is the best wardrobe choice. The jacket should not be boxy but have a tailored fit. Pants or a skirt? It’s your choice. Just make sure they’re pressed and the appropriate length. And don’t worry that wearing a suit will make you lose your personality. You can show your personality through carefully placed accessories like a tasteful broche or pashmina. If you don’t have a suit, a skirt or pants and matching sweater/cardigan will work fine. If possible, try to wear heels. Flats send the image of normal--not exceptional.

Regarding make up for the big interview, putting your game face on doesn’t mean smoky eyes and frosty gloss. It simply means covering the basics. A light powder, a tinted moisturizer, or foundation says that you are seeking a “call back”. Your eye shadow colors should be taupe, brown, gray, peach, or pink. Lipstick or gloss should be in colors like brown, bronze, pink, peach, plum, or burgundy. Notice I did NOT mention red lipstick. Red lipstick can be a distraction to the interviewer. Save the red lipstick for after you’ve landed the job.

And for the fellas…Dressing the part means a nice, well-fitting dark suit and tie. A three piece suit is not a requirement; a 2 piece suit is sufficient. Shoes should be polished and professional (no sneakers or boat shoes, please!). Game face for the gentlemen means being well groomed. If you wear a beard or mustache, make sure it’s shaven, shaped and clean. Your hair should be freshly cut and clean as well. If you wear your hair in locks, make sure they’re groomed and arranged neatly. You can put them in a ponytail or wear them down.

 Looking the part in any scenario can build your confidence and make them that matter aware you know your role.
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Tori, is a makeup artist, blogger, esthetician and creator of Face Yourself by Tori cosmetics. He has been in the beauty industry for 10 years. He currently resides in the D.C. metro area. He believes “your face is the one accessory that never goes out of style.” Check out Tori's blog at www.2faceyourself.blogspot.com

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Hooking up on LinkedIn

7/9/2011

5 Comments

 

Why people just aren’t into your LinkedIn invites…

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You’ve been there.  You meet someone inspiring at a presentation; share a wink and a gun with a few movers and shakers at a networking event; exchange some laughs with an infectious social butterfly at the local bar…You’re enamored. You want to bask in the glow of their effortless charisma. So you give in to the urge to add this professional Phenom to your social networking circle of professional life on LinkedIn only to find out they’re just not that into you.

So what do you have to do to professionally “hook up” with someone on
LinkedIn?

Don’t fret my wounded butterfly.  Your social skills will flutter again on LinkedIn. Here are a few rules of thumb to help you emerge from the cocoon…

Stop sending John Doe requests.  You know the John Doe request I’m talking about.  The “I’d like to add you to my professional network” template. I get about five of these a day and they drive me absolutely bonkers.  Why?  I interact with hundreds of candidates on campuses, via phone and online and my mental rolodex can only hold so much at the end of the day.  So when I receive one of these John Doe requests where I have no idea who you are or how we recently met, you lost me at the subject line. Luckily I’m nosy and have an inherent need to help people professionally.  So I usually open the request to see if we have someone or something in common.  However, if I’ve I come up empty after all those page clicks, not only am I ticked that you’ve added to my spam, but that’s precious time out of my day I’ll never get back.

So stop contributing to the spam epidemic and get time back on your side.  Personalize requests to individuals you’ve recently met. Instead of using the
LinkedIn template, take a few seconds to write “Hi Yolanda! I recently attended one of your workshops and would love to network with you on LinkedIn.”

Much. Better.  When someone takes the time to personalize a message to me (even if I don’t know them from a can of paint) I’ll accept the request.  But without a point of reference, there’s no point of us being
LinkedIn.

Subtract from your Common Denominators.  Six degrees of separation is certified gold in any hook up scenario.  Do a little digging and see if you and the Phenom have any friends in common.  Then ask those friends for a
LinkedIn introduction request.  Since the introduction is coming from a trusted source, you’ll elevate yourself from potential spam to friend of the inner circle.

Stroke that ego.  Flattery will get you somewhere so go ahead and work it to your advantage when personalizing your requests. For example, “Hi Yolanda! I recently attended one of your workshops and was impressed with your knowledge about XYZ. I would love the opportunity to network with you on LinkedIn and learn more about where you get your information.” Now you’ve stroked my ego, probably made my day, and have a new
LinkedIn hook up. 

Flutter. Flutter.

5 Comments

May 20th, 2011

5/20/2011

 

First Post!

1/23/2011

16 Comments

 

Fatten Your Professional Little Black Book Online and Off

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In a time where everyone is living their lives out loud and unfiltered, it's hard to determine the professional comfort zone when networking.  Whether tapping into your six degrees of separation or in cyberspace, you need to establish some professional boundaries.  Recruiters and hiring managers realize times are tough, but that does not give job seekers a get out of jail free card for invading their personal space in the name of professional networking; you need to know your role.

So let this be your litmus test.  The next time you decide to call, email or "friend" a random stranger on a social network, ask yourself, how would you feel if this person did the same thing to you? Blindly contacting someone you don't know who could possibly take you out of the unemployment line with a 30-second elevator pitch is the equivalent of drunk-dialing an ex minus the personal connection. Can you say stalkerish? And do you honestly think this makes a great first impression?  Sure it demonstrates the size of your moxy, but doesn't bode well for you in the personal judgment department.

So what is the protocol for networking (online or off) with people you've never met in the job search process?  I call it my social algorithm: six degrees of separation + a common denominator +3 contacts = trust.  In other words, in order to effectively network with individuals you don't know (without being labeled a stalker) you need a connection to their social circle, share something personal in common, and have at least three contacts with them to win their trust.  You can't expect someone who doesn't know you from a can of paint to miraculously recommend you for a job based on a blind friend request, phone call, meeting at the grocery store (fill in the social scenario blank). You have to build a rapport with them and earn their trust through the social algorithm.

So how do you get these types of vitals on said stranger who could hold your future employment in their hands?  Channel your inner 007 and legitimately use your cyber stalking skills for your intelligence.  Do a search for said stranger on LinkedIn to see who they're connected to and if you share individuals in your social circles.  If you do, contact that connection and ask them for an introduction to said stranger so you can elevate your status from stranger to acquaintance.  Now, don't assume that since the introduction has been made you have free access to immediately ask this individual to hook you up with an interview while you're in town the following week.  You have to build a rapport.  Dig deeper on LinkedIn, Google, or just ask your connection where this person went to school, whether they have kids, play the tuba...The angle here is to find out something personal you both have in common so there's a connection and a conversation piece other than the weather and the fact you need a job. 

Now that you have this information in your arsenal, you need to employ the secret phrase "Flattery will get you somewhere".  Use these common denominators to stroke the person's ego and get on their personal level.  Set up an informational interview to find out more about what they do for a living, ask them to be your tour guide next time you visit their city, give them a list of great restaurants for the vacation spot they'll be heading to for the holidays.  This is far more subtle than the blind contact elevator pitch and will get you more traction in the long run.  You'll know the equation is complete once you've had three meaningful contacts with the person.  By then you'll have established enough common ground to talk about your credentials and how your new acquaintance can help you build upon them
.


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    About Yolanda M. Owens
    Author Chick. Recruiting Sensei. Gen Y Guru. Education Enthusiast. Intern Whisperer.  Read more tips in her book "How to Score a Date with your Potential Employer".

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