From Olympian to Top-Tier Sales Leader Barry Kuzminski Shares What it Takes to Succeed Building Your Future Now

From Olympian to Top-Tier Sales Leader Barry Kuzminski Shares What it Takes to Succeed Building Your Future Now Careers in Focus Article by Brian Trota Barry Kuzminski remembers the 1984 Olympics like it was yesterday. When I stood on the hill in Los Angeles at Dodgers Stadium..and turned around I noticed my sister and her husband who flew in. I couldnt believe I was kicking dirt on the very mound that [future Hall of Fame] pitcher Fernando Venezuela had pitched from a few days before. Kuzminski recounts, I turned around and stopped my warm-ups because there was a big jumbotron and my name and my hometown was up there in lights. I thought to myself: I made it. Thats when I realized all that hardwork and sacrifice has paid off. The Alberta-native spent his childhood on a farm and at the age of 14, the first true harsh reality of life taught Kuzminski a valuable lesson when his father suddenly died. Although the debts were insured by the bank, Kuzminskis father didnt have life insurance which made life a bit tougher for the family (it would also serve the young Kuzminski as the basis of a poweful story he would use as a successful insurance advising career in the future.) Despite the tragedy, the Kuzminski family persevered and did the best they could for the next few years. The years of gruelling farm life prepared the young Kuzminski for whatever life was ready to throw at him. By the late 1970s Kuzminski was off to school at the University of Alberta where he studied economics and agriculture. However, it was a chance meeting with a baseball player whos alma mater was the University of Neveda-Reno where Kuzminski found himself with the life-altering option of going to school in the United States on a baseball scholarship. The thing about athletic an scholarship is that they are only good for that first year. Its up to you make it on the team every year and after that to keep it and thats the hard part especially while studying. Kuzminski dedicated himself to balancing studying and athletics. After showing that he was an integral part of team as a relief pitcher in the 11-man rotation, he found himself with a sudden opportunity. One of the starters got injured and in turn I got his starting role. I set 4 or 5 university pitching records. What made Kuzminski such a tough competitor was he needed to do to succeed: This started early in life with me: I assessed who I was competing against and in this case the baseball team and I made sure I did better then they did. I watched them all (the pitchers) and I knew I could do it. He continues: I assessed myself and what I had to doso who was I up against? Nobody told me what to do or coached me. I was just self-taught and thats how I started making it and understanding that I would never let an opportunity go. As Kuzminskis was nearing his graduation, he was also continuing to garner attention from Major League Baseball teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. I had to make a hard decisionI heard the Canadian National team had a chance to qualify for the Olympicsalthough my arm was great, I had a bad knee. Kuzminski says, I was a realistI wasnt going to spend 5 years in the minors and get out with nothing. I had one chance to go to the Olympics so I made the decision to go. After going to the Olympics in Los Angeles and pitching in a lions share of games, Kuzminski stayed on the National team for another year. It was in 1985 that he made the decision to retire from the baseball and to start making a living. Kuzminski got right to work as a bellboy and then as a herbicide sales representative but it wasnt until his next role in insurance sales that he really hit his stride. I had a story to tell in my community because everyone knew my father and what he was to the community. Notes Kuzminski, I could use my story to help me sell. I set records at Sunlife my first year. My story was relatable, reliable and truthful. Stories truly make the difference. The former Olympian understood quickly that he was a natural storyteller whose story resonated with people who he spoke to. The success in anything is your ability to tell a story and if its a personal story its easier to tell. And if you cant find a good story to attach to your career or business then you better find one and make it yours on some level. Success in the field gave Kuzminski a chance to be a sales manager in Edmonton and by 1999 he had a chance to truly put his experience and knowledge to the test when he took over the Brantford office where he oversaw a faltering branch and turned into it into a top-10 national wide producer by aggressively recruiting and training talent. Kuzminski ended up retiring from the insurance industry in 2014 and turned his sights to the employment field. You know what the funny thing is? After all this time and I had never put a resume together in my life because I never had to. Kuzminski notes when he was on the hunt for his next career opportunity, After posting it on Indeed the owners at Express Employment Professionals reached out. Fast forward to 2019Kuzminski is the Business Development Representative at the Express Employment Professionals office in Brantford. Its a role where Kuzminski has thrived in where he helps clients figure out what kind of talent they need within the local market. Along with his strong work ethic and ability to engage with people Kuzminski continues to live by another simple saying. As Dr. Dre has said: If you are prepared to do the little things that the others arent thats what is going to make you successful. Careers in Focus is a special article published every Friday spotlighing a talented professional and highlighting their career. Image courtesy of Barry Kuzminski

Know When to Move On - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Know When to Move On - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Recently I was talking with a few friends at Microsoft. They had all done something that might seem a little crazy. They resigned from their current positions. They moved on! Prompting me to wonder… When is the right time to move on? Asking this question is important. It’s important to think about moving on. It’s important to know three things: Where you are today Where you want to be What youre  willing to do to get there These sound pretty obvious. And, they are. You need to have a good feel for where you are. That shows situational awareness. You should have an idea of where you want to  be. This can  be 100% from your own mind, but  it’s better if you can have some guidance from a few trusted advisors.  And, finally, you should have a solid understanding of what you are willing to do in order to make your next transition. I’m not suggesting you obsess about your next career move. However, I am suggesting you should know what you want to do… next. Having a plan to move on may involve a very specific path. Some roles and some industries have stages for advancement. Whether or not your chosen career has a path or not isn’t critical. Just be aware of it and be prepared to plan for it. The best way to predict the future is to create it. ~ Peter Drucker In the modern work world there is a need to know where you are and where you want to  be. This is driven as much by Gig Economy workers as it is by people working along the traditional career ladder. More and more in modern business workplaces roles are being created that have never existed  â€" formally or informally. Be on the lookout for unfulfilled customer engagement opportunities. If you can become especially attuned to these unmet needs you will stand out in your career. I’m sure we all know people that seem amazingly good at picking just the right role, at the right company, and at the right time. It’s an art and a skill that, truth be told, is combined with a little bit of luck. So, how do you know? Sometimes it’s not 100% within your doing to move on. However, you should always be thinking about what you want to do next. Whether in your current company, starting your own thing, or changing industries all together.  Plan ahead and do your best to… know when its time to move on Ultimately you should do what you came to do. Whether it’s a personal commitment on a handshake deal or a more formal  2 year apprenticeship. When you do move on… This might come across as a bit too “new age” oriented, but  I believe people and companies will begin to pay more attention to the HOW you transitioned out of your last job as they do to the WHY. In these cases it will be as much about leaving the job, the program, the effort, and even the earth… a little better than when you arrived. Meaning, leave things better than when you arrived. If you can do this consistently you will stand out in your career. One way to think about this is to Never Burn a Bridge Making The Move In order to make it easier to move on there are a few things you can do. Create a set of milestones  â€" Put SMART goals around them Build a One Folder Hand Off plan And, Learn How You Can Say No Like a Pro One of the most important things to consider in a transition is that whatever you do will follow you. It will become part of your legacy and something that precedes you. It’s important to note that last point. You may be very interested in a new job or landing a new client, but one critical point to keep in mind is that you may not get a chance to tell your story. People will ask about you. It is incumbent upon you to make sure that story that precedes you is the one you want it to be.

John P. Engel on How To Recover From Loss of a Dream Job - VocationVillage

John P. Engel on How To Recover From Loss of a Dream Job - VocationVillage John P. Engel responds to a music business professional who asks for career advice after losing his dream job.Hello,I refuse to call you Ex-Music Bizzer. You may have lost a job but you certainly did not lose your passion. With your background in sales and marketing you should be able to create your own job in the music industry. If youre not ready for that, you most likely have the moxy to sell the product that you know the best, yourself, as a music executive. Now you just need to figure out where you want to be in the industry. Can you identify an unmet need or something you could do better than anyone else? Youre in better shape than a lot of people out there because you have already found your passion and youre not willing to give up on it. You just need to reinvent yourself.Ten years ago a publisher of a global music magazine called me in tears. The invention of MP3s had caused the labels to cut back on their advertising for niche markets. She thought she was going to lose her magazine. Instead we found other ways to grow subscribers and identified new revenue sources. We created partnerships with other publications that served her target market. We convinced embassies to sponsor issues and bring in advertisers from their countries. We found new advertisers like Lonely Planet and XM radio. In the end, she was making more money they she ever had and she sold the business for over a million dollars and started a nonprofit in Africa to provide fresh drinking water. This is a major change in your life but if you embrace it and use your creativity and sales skills you might find a yourself in a much better life. Create your bucket list and start making it happen.You could start a music festival, become a promoter, start your own radio station, create a music magazine, become a wholesale rep for a instrument manufacturer. Music is a huge industry. The opportunities are endless.I wrote a book with advice for students on how to be successful in school and in life . I believe it can help you and its free: ProjectBeTheChange.com. Now anyone anywhere in the world can get advice from some of the most successful people in the world for free! How cool is that?John P. Engel, Motivational Speaker. Read another guest opinion about how to recover from loss of a dream job.

New Years Resolutions Dreams Vs. Reality

New Years Resolutions Dreams Vs. Reality New Years Resolutions A lot of us make them, but how many of us actually stick to them? It always seems like a good idea to approach the new year with a big optimistic career plan about how were going to use it as a fresh start, to become better, more successful people; whether it be by landing your dream job, getting a promotion or getting a degree. But nearly a year on, I wonder how these ground breaking goals have really panned out. Here are a few examples of some of the most common new years resolutions that people make about their careers each year vs. a more realistic take on them! DREAM: I will land my dream job this year! REALITY: Do a better job of pretending to look for a job. #RealisticResolutions @midnight Rick G. Rosner (@dumbassgenius) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will approach each day with a positive attitude and a spring in my step! REALITY: My New Years Resolution Is To Make It To Work The Next Day After #TrippyNYE pic.twitter.com/lJIeBmP8yE ???? (@_RobertMayfield) November 30, 2015 DREAM: I will put extra hours in at work this year to get that promotion!   REALITY: Follow my dreams by sleeping more.#RealisticResolutions @midnight Jessica Lynn Verdi (@jessicaverdi) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will improve my relationships with colleagues!   REALITY: Remember peoples names and their proper titles. #RealisticResolutions @midnight pic.twitter.com/10UQFxl14z Carlos Marquez (@Dr_C_LOS) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will reduce stress levels this year! REALITY: I need to reduce my level of stress soooo, Ill stop replying to work emails. #RealisticResolutions @midnight I??NR (@bubbleboo17) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will stop procrastinating at work! REALITY: https://twitter.com/miggystardust/status/674812363955023872 DREAM: I will achieve a great work-life-balance! REALITY: Improve my work/life balance by getting myself fired.#RealisticResolutions @midnight Misophonic Spree (@MisophonicSpree) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will maintain a healthy lifestyle! REALITY: Stop drowning my sorrows in beer. Ive got a good job now. I can afford Scotch. #RealisticResolutions #PointsMe @midnight Richard Jeter (@MilesToGo13) December 10, 2015 DREAM: I will take pride in my appearance in professional situations! REALITY: https://twitter.com/NotSpiral/status/674869532780068864 DREAM: https://twitter.com/TheeAWalt/status/671436543165337600/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw REALITY:  I guess I could get a job in recruitment. [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Pursuing a Career With a Purpose How to Move Forward - CareerMetis.com

Pursuing a Career With a Purpose How to Move Forward Source â€" Pexels.comYou never know when the self-doubt will strike: are you really doing what you love at your job?For many working adults, their career is just that: work. It doesn’t matter if you come home at the end of the day â€" exhausted, bored, and ready to zone out on your couch â€" as long as you’re getting paid a healthy paycheck, does it really matter what you’re doing?However, many other people in the working world need a little something extra: a purpose.evalThis is especially true for millennials, who not only crave a balance between work and life, but also need to have an achievable goal or the ability to make a difference to motivate them at their job.Unlike past generations that were simply happy to get a paycheck, millennials want to work for a company that aligns with their values, treats them well, and provides them with a purpose that directly impacts their community or the world.Most millennials are diverse, passionate, and require a company culture that can match their enthusiasm for change.But millennials aren’t the only generation of people who can benefit from finding a purpose in their career. Anyone â€" from baby boomers to Generation Z â€" can benefit from directly impacting the world around them. After all, you tend to be more successful in the long-runwhen you can enjoy what you’re doing.Unfortunately, switching careers can be a daunting task for anyone, and for many people that want to find a purpose, they might have to start over from square one.Are you struggling to be motivated or happy at your job? Are you hoping to find a purpose in your career that can help you stay engaged and excited? Or are you struggling to see a fulfilling future with your current career path?It could be that switching to a more fulfilling career is just what you need to feel better about your working life. Here’s how to find fulfillment in your career, and how you can make the transition to a more purposeful path.Finding Purpose in Any Fi eld or IndustryevalevalDiscovering your purpose requires you to ask yourself some questions. Ashley Stahl, a career coach and Forbes contributor, suggests starting with these four questions to help you better understand where your calling is and how you can define your purpose:1. Are you happy?Being happy at your job can be difficult, and it’s normal to have bad days, weeks, or even months.However, there is a large difference between going through your daily motions because you enjoy it, and going through the motions because you don’t know what else to do. Ask yourself if you’re happy, and assess your workload.Are you burnt out? Would taking a vacation help, or would you still hate coming into work? Are you exhausted because you’re overworked, or because you’re not doing something you enjoy?2. Who are you proving yourself to be?evalThis question is all about your expectations: are you living up to your own ideas of what you want to do, or someone else’s? Stahl writes: †œYou will never find real satisfaction if proving yourself to others is the biggest motivator in your career.Take a moment and be sure your actions are motivated by the right reasons.3. Is there another way?It’s easy to become consumed by your work, or possibly even obsessed. You spend a large chunk of your life working, and oftentimes you might find that you’re pushing yourself too hard on the little projects. You’re focused on controlling your calendar day-by-day instead of looking at the bigger picture.Stahl suggests taking a step back and removing your limitations. If you could do anything, would it be this? What do you really want to do; what are your goals and aspirations; what makes you want to get up in the morning and come into work?It’s possible that your goals are still clear, but there are other ways to achieve them. Stahl uses her own experience as an example: after working years as a foreign diplomat, she realized there were other ways to travel the world and m ake a steady paycheck without burning herself out.Once she was able to see beyond that rigid plan for herself, her possibilities really opened up. Yours might too if you take a step back.4. What has to happen?This question can be hard to answer, as it requires you to give up some control in your work schedule and simply assess the flow: what wants to happen? If you stop pushing and running full throttle, what can you put more focus on and what will stand out as the most important project or goal in your life?Stahl recommends ceasing your constant need to make things happen, and slowing down to really be present in the moment and get perspective.Of course, there are also other things to consider when finding your purpose. For example, do you know if you’re working within the right industry, but maybe not in the right company?evalDoes the company culture suite your expectations, or do you need to find a company that is more aligned with your personal values? Lastly, if you do find t hat your purpose is lacking and you need to make a big career switch, what all does that entail?It can be truly daunting to make big career changes, but it’s not impossible â€" no matter what age you are.Remind yourself that your happiness, mental and emotional wellbeing, and your ability to succeed are all dependant on doing something you love and feeling fulfilled by your career.Jobs With a PurposeWhether you’re hoping to change career paths entirely, or are just getting your career figured out, you might find that your future lies in a purposeful career. Although every career path can have a purpose, some careers are more focused on making an impact than others.This includes careers that are specifically designed to help individuals or the environment.evalPerhaps you’re someone who loves to help others succeed. This could mean your future is in teaching, social work, counseling, or nursing â€" all of which provide you with direct access to people in need and the tools and a bilities to help them.Potentially, you might be interested in helping out the environment or specific species of animals. There are plenty of career paths that can also offer you successful opportunities, including environmental work, conservation, and more.Sometimes making a difference on a larger scale can start with a small focus. If you’ve discovered your purpose, but aren’t sure how to turn that into a career, look at these possibilities:Helping Others: Social Work, Volunteering, and NursingIf you find that helping others is not only fulfilling, but aligns perfectly with your purpose, then there are a variety of opportunities available for you to pursue.Here are some options, as well as some information to consider about each career path:a) Social WorkThis career path gives you the opportunity to play off your morals or advocate for social justice issues that matter to you. If you are passionate about a social movement, or simply want to help marginalized communities gain a ccess to essential services, then social work may be right for you.There are many similarities between social work and human services, but social work education provides you with unique clinical opportunities or access to education around counseling and similar services. Social work is also a rapidly growing market, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates an above-average growth of about 16 percent over the next eight years.b) Nonprofit ManagementSimilar to social work, working within the nonprofit sector can help you directly impact the community and work alongside causes that matter to you. If you already have experience within the business sector, you can use that to your advantage to move into the nonprofit sector.However, it’s important to remember that nonprofits have their own unique culture that is quite different from that of a traditional business. Many nonprofits are collaborative in nature and have a unique set of challenges when it comes to receiving financi al or community support.This Fortune article lays out some of the additional challenges for switching from corporate leadership to nonprofit. Of course, if you don’t have the management experience, you can still help nonprofits through volunteer work or by becoming a non-leadership member of their staff.There are many different nonprofits out there, with many different career opportunities contained within them, and you may find that one of them is perfect for you.c) NursingIf there’s any calling that will always be in high demand and will always be full of purpose, it’s nursing. Nursing is certainly not a calling for the faint of heart, but there are many different ways to participate within the field. This can include anything from working within the emergency room, to working with small-town clinics, working with children in schools or pediatric offices, or to traveling the world and working abroad.Additionally, difficult health decisions are often sensitive and trying time s for families or individuals, which gives you the opportunity to show compassion, empathize, and make a genuine impact on people that are struggling to stay hopeful.Not only is nursing one of the most purposeful careers, but it will always be in high demand: the BLS estimates that registered nurses are expected to grow by 15 percent or more over the next eight years.Home health aides are also one of the fastest growing careers in the country. Much of this is due to the large Baby Boomer generation which is reaching retirement age and struggling with chronic illnesses.Source freestockphotos.bizHelping the World: Green Jobs and ConservationOf course, if direct interaction with people isn’t your strong suite, there are also a plethora of jobs outside of the human world that are full of purpose.Whether you’re an introvert, or you just love nature more than you love people, consider these growing job fields that might be right for you:1. Green Energy Engineering and ConstructionOne of the fastest growing industries in the world right now is that of green energy. This includes the construction of wind turbines, solar panel fields, as well as the manufacturing and maintenance of renewable energy sources. Currently, there are about 5 million Americans working within the “green energy” sector, and this industry is expected to continue to grow for some time as the world shifts from fossil fuels to more clean energy sources.Luckily, not only is this career path booming, but it also is full of opportunities that would align with your purpose and can provide you with a healthy paycheck. Maybe you’re someone who has thrived in engineering or some other STEM field, but you were unsure of how to apply that knowledge to better the world around you.Within green energy, there is a high-demand for technology proficient individuals, as well as those that are eager to improve both the industry and the community or world.2. Biology and Conservation SciencesPerhaps your lo ve for the world comes with a genuine love and appreciation for animals. If that’s the case, then there are plenty of potential career paths for you in biology and conservation sciences. You can become a leading climate change scientist, explore the hidden ecosystems of the world, or work directly with endangered animals that need the help of human intervention.According to the BLS, conservationists and forestry jobs are growing at a semi-regular pace of about 6 percent, and many of them receive a traditional middle class income.However, the opportunities that conservation can provide you are endless: from traveling the world to discovering never-before-seen species. It is well known that biologists and conservations scientists are passionate about their calling, and it could be that that passion is what your career has been missing.Finding Your CallingNo matter what stage you are in with your career, defining and evaluating your purpose can always be beneficial. It’s possible t hat you’re already working within a field that you are passionate about, but you just need to take the time to reevaluate your position.Or it’s possible that you are feeling like a cog in the machine, and want to break out of your mundane and unhappy path.Whatever your situation may be, defining your purpose can help you better understand how you directly impact the world around you and how you should pursue your future.Even if the jobs listed above aren’t right for you, it’s possible to find purpose in any career path that you pursue.All you need to do is ask yourself questions, find your flow, and take the time to slow down and get perspective.

No More Performance Evaluation Disasters

No More Performance Evaluation Disasters That knot in the pit of your stomach has a tendency to reappear about twice per year â€" and you can generally predict the date and even the time of day for the first symptoms. Next Tuesday is your Performance Evaluation discussion with your boss where you’ll sit there and wait to find out whether you’re performing acceptably â€" or destined for job oblivion. If you’re like many you’ll pop another antacid and walk into that meeting with the same trepidation the accused in a capital crime might â€" hoping the jury’s decision exonerates. Powerless. I asked Tim Cole, the CEO of The Compass Alliance and the author of The Compass Solution: A Guide to Winning Your Career, why so many suffer through performance evaluations. The answers might surprise you! So, what’s happening with reviews? Are we really just victims waiting to hear what the boss has to say? No! In fact, with basic guidance and a more informed approach every employee can change that dynamic. Say more about that â€" are you saying there are steps we all should take in preparing for performance reviews? Here are ten difference makers: Make certain you know the expectations for your job. It might sound stupid but remember that your interpretation of your role and your manager’s could differ â€" sometimes radically. Make sure you understand how you will be trained. Without training you are being set up for failure. Take ownership in soliciting and in receiving feedback and do it as early and as often as possible. It’s your career. You either drive or you are a passive reactor. Take the steering wheel. Ask for as many examples of excellence as you can handle. It’s hard to demonstrate outstanding performance if you don’t know what it looks like to begin with. Take notes when the subject of performance arises. Too many people fly by the seat of their pants. Dont be one of them. Decide that your performance evaluation is something you can heavily influence. Every formal meeting with your manager should include some degree of discussion around how you’re tracking on performance. Call out early on that you expect to be a top performer. Engage your manager in that undertaking. Challenge them to help you get there. Document your successes. Make that a dynamic record. The alternative is Creative Writing 101â€"the mindless search to justify your greatness and to meet the time line for your review. Never pass on the opportunity to comment in writing on your review. That electronic summary is a legal document. Treat it accordingly. Retain every Performance Review you receive. Plan to reference those documents as a potential Free Agent for the rest of your professional life. The decision to lead through your review is yours. Like so much of life â€" and your career â€" it’s the choices we make that dictate the quality of the journey. Join Dana Manciagli’s Job Search Master Class now and get the most comprehensive job search system available!

How to Write a Resume That Is Job-Ready

How to Write a Resume That Is Job-ReadyAre you searching for ways on how to write a resume that is truly job-ready? If so, then read on. Here are some tips that will help you with the job application process.Before getting into the nitty-gritty of writing a resume, you need to understand how the resume is to be presented to the hiring company. In most cases, the resume is written from the perspective of the candidate, which means that it should be organized and clean at the same time. The resume should also include essential information about you, as well as any accomplishments that have been made.The process of creating a resume is relatively simple. First, you will choose one or more particular job categories. From there, you will put together a list of your skills and qualifications needed for that job. Since you want your resume to be a guide to career advancement, you will also include keywords related to that particular category.Now, you will begin writing the specific details about your experience in that specific field. However, remember that you will be able to craft your resume if you put yourself in a place where you can really benefit from the information given to you. For example, if you have been in a position previously, but the responsibilities have been slightly different, you may include that in your resume as an area that you think would improve your current job.The next step is to write your resume in the format required by the employer. This means that you should divide the document into three sections. This may include the contact information, professional and organizational history, and your most recent accomplishments. You will then divide the remaining sections into sections that pertain to the required responsibilities.Make sure that you clearly explain how your skills, education, and work experience have given you value to the company. In addition, it is important to emphasize all areas of expertise that can make you an asset to the c ompany. Finally, always include your references, which are usually the people that will interview you if you are hired.Always remember that what you put on the resume are guidelines that the hiring company uses to determine whether or not you will get the job, not definitive requirements for the job. Remember that when applying for jobs, you will be required to submit a complete application that includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and personal statement.These tips on how to write a resume that is job-ready will help you create a well-organized document that will not leave the impression that you have been here to 'waste' your time. Remember that when submitting your resume, you must provide a resume that has all the essential details about you, while ensuring that it meets the requirements of the job.