Award winning author, journalist, and film critic Lisa Johnson Mandell, in her image transformational and results oriented book Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want, was kind enough to take the time to answer a few questions about landing the job of your dreams. Lisa shares her experiences and her ideas on personal makeovers, wardrobe updates, internet and technical savvy, and Botoxing a tired resume.

Instead of losing out on jobs to younger applicants, Lisa Johnson Mandell shows you how to beat the new rules of the employment game. Instead of being passed over, become the ideal candidate for that wonderful new career.

Thanks to Lisa Johnson Mandell for these great answers.

What was the background to writing this book
Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: In my late 40's with more than 25 years of experience, I was having a tough time going from freelance to full time. I was sending out hundreds of resumes and getting zero response. I took a look at what I was doing and decided I need a career makeover, which ended up being so successful I was featured in the Wall St. Journal and other major news outlets. I got more job offers than I could handle! I decided that if I could do it, anyone could do it, and wrote a book about how anyone can successfully apply what I learned.

Is ageism an important issue in today's hiring process, and if so, how does it affect women?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: Ageism is tough today for both women and men. Many companies today are inclined to hire younger employees, whom they perceive to be less expensive and more tech savvy. I actually think it's a little easier for women to appear fresh, hip and ageless, however, than it is for men. Wardrobe and cosmetic tweaks are more available and accepted for women. Either gender, however, can exude timeless energy that will help them overcome ageism.

While experience is often valued by employers, very often younger people get hired because they are often seen as more up to date. How can an older job applicant bridge the age gap and combine experience with youthful savvy? By exuding the above-mentioned timeless energy, emphasizing flexibility and willingness to learn, and walking into any situation with a full deck of tech-savvy cards, which includes a personal blog, an affinity for and familiarity with social networking, and a mastery of Internet skills. They are a must in almost any work environment these days.

Should a woman consider redoing her wardrobe to remove certain items, and what items are especially good add, or are bad to keep?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: Yes! I advise any woman to invite a 20-something friend or relative into her closet and help her weed out anything that makes her look frumpy and dated, such as themed sweaters; plain, boxy, solid colored dark suits; heavy, flesh-colored panty hose; anything with over-sized shoulder pads; loud prints; too many ruffles, bows or ribbons; "mom" jeans or elastic-waisted slacks; "sensible" shoes and the like. Every working wardrobe should include at least one crisp, white blouse, a black turtle neck, a pencil skirt, nice fitting dress slacks, an attractive blazer or sweater, an up-to-date pair of dark (dressy) jeans, a good pair of black pants and several colorful shirts or blouses. Those are the basics. More skirts, dresses, jackets, etc. can be added from there.



Lisa Johnson Mandell (photo left)

Should a woman consider a personal makeover to project a different image, and what should that image be?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: Everyone, of any age, can benefit from an update, and it can be as simple as going to the makeup counter of a local department store and having them show you how to use the latest season's colors. Cosmetic surgery is by no means necessary for everyone, but why not walk into the best hairstylist in your area and ask what he/she would suggest for a fresher look? The image you want to project is one of ageless energy and competence.

How important is it for a woman to be up do date on the latest technology and the internet?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: It is essential! Even the most basic jobs will probably require you to communicate over some electronic device, and if you can't do that, you'll be far behind all the other candidates.

Should a woman consider starting a blog and becoming familiar with social media including Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: Definitely. I can't stress this enough. They are essential in personally branding you to stand out from the competition, and to show employers that you are up on all the latest resources available.

In the book you mention Botox for a resume. What do you mean by that?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: Botoxing the resume means erasing the age-lines. The year you graduated school, for example, is not important -- the specific school and your major or field of studies is important. It also involves deleting any obsolete skills with software or professional equipment that is no longer used. And if you had jobs more than 15 years ago that have no relevance to the current job you're applying for, delete mention of those jobs as well. Employers are not as interested in when you did what, but they ARE interested in exactly what you've done that pertains to their particular position.

What is the first step a woman should take toward competing in today's tighter job marketplace?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: She needs to become Internet savvy. This is an invaluable tool for networking, job searching, researching, updating and learning new skills and trends.

What is next for Lisa Johnson Mandell?

Lisa Johnson Mandell: I'm currently blogging for AOL's Dime Crunch, and am looking at helping more people find jobs they love via television, radio and new media.

*************

My book review of Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want by Lisa Johnson Mandell.

Tags: Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want, Lisa Johnson Mandell, career and image management for women, business author nterviews.

READ MORE - Lisa Johnson Mandell - Career Comeback - Author interview

Career Comeback

Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want

By: Lisa Johnson Mandell

Published: January 7, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 256 pages
ISBN: 9780446549653
Publisher: Springboard Press/Hachette









"Nowadays, there are fewer jobs, and the competition for them is more fierce than ever. We certainly don't need the added burden of ageist images and prejudices to hold us back", writes award winning author, journalist, and film critic Lisa Johnson Mandell, in her image transformational and results oriented book Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want. The author helps job seeking and career stalled women wage an all out assault on ageism, by turning back the clock on age, appearance, wardrobe, resumes, and employment skills.

Lisa Johnson Mandell understands the problems facing women in today's youth oriented labor market. She experienced the effects of employers' preferences for younger men and women in her own career. She discovered, much to her surprise and shock, that her experience was not considered an advantage, but was in fact detrimental to her employment prospects. As a result, she took positive steps toward removing the age related portions of her resume, got a more modern hairstyle, modernized her wardrobe, and improved her technical expertise. It worked. She met the challenge of younger job seekers, through a combination of updated appearance, a strong emphasis on current technical savvy, and a revamped resume, and won the job of her dreams. She shares successfully, her secrets of getting the ideal job with her readers, in a practical and accessible style.



Lisa Johnson Mandell (photo left) recognizes the critical importance of being computer literate, and with at ease using social media and blogs. She recommends having a strong web presence to show off internet skills, while showing her readers how to utilize all aspects of the world wide web effectively. The author provides powerful insights into building a personal brand that carries over seamlessly from the internet to face to face networking to a successful job interview. Instead of having experience working against the job seeker, Lisa Johnson Mandell shows just how to add new skills to already existing ones to create an effective and unstoppable synergy. Through a recreating of oneself to fit the new rules of the employment game, the author gives the new career aspirant an edge over younger and less experienced people.

For me, the power of the book is how Lisa Johnson Mandell helps the older job applicant refresh their appearance, employment skills, and resume in new and exciting ways. The author shares practical and in the trenches job skills, ranging from becoming familiar with current social trends, to establishing an advanced internet and social networking presence. At the same time, the author shares the secrets of Hollywood's leading stylists on hair, makeup, and clothing that will transform any woman into an employment star. With these new advantages in place, Lisa Johnson Mandell guides the applicant through creating an updated resume, which she describes as resume Botox, that freshens up experience while downplaying age and outdated terms and technology. When the woman lands the job of her dreams, the book also includes an important section on negotiating the salary she deserves for the added value she brings to the job.

I highly recommend the indispensable career seeking guide for women Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want by Lisa Johnson Mandell, to anyone who feels the oppressive force of ageism pushing them off to the career sidelines. This book provides the necessary tools, skills, and inspiration to create the ultimate makeover of yourself, your experience, and your technological skills to land that dream job.

Read the essential life and career reinvention book Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want by Lisa Johnson Mandell, and turn the new rules of getting a great job upside down. This book will freshen up your image, reboot your resume, help you interview like a true superstar, and move your life into that wonderful new story book career.

Tags: Career Comeback: Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want, Lisa Johnson Mandell, career and image management for women, business book reviews.

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Listen to Wayne Hurlbert on Blog Talk Radio



Speaker, consultant, co-founder of The Collective Wisdom Institute, and co-author of the important and world changing book The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly, Alan Briskin, shares ideas from the emerging field of collective wisdom. He shares study and practice of more effective and satisfying ways of working with others. Groups contain extraordinary creative potential collectively. While collective wisdom doesn't arise through an act of will, you will learn six commitments you can adopt to increase the likelihood that it will appear. Discover as well the pitfalls of polarization and false agreement, and how they lead to collective folly.

Alan Briskin is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on Blog Talk Radio.

The show airs live on Thursday, January 14, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Speaker, consultant, co-founder of The Collective Wisdom Institute, and co-author of the important and world changing book The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly, Alan Briskin, shares ideas from the emerging field of collective wisdom. You will learn:

* Why the emerging field of collective wisdom is an important one

* The six stances that will help facilitate collective wisdom to arise

* How to be vigilant and watch for the pitfalls of collective folly

* How to recognize and avoid polarization and false agreement in a group



Alan Briskin, Ph.D. (photo left) is co-founder of The Collective Wisdom Institute and is a consultant, artist, and researcher. His recent book, Daily Miracles: Stories and Practices of Humanity and Excellence in Health Care, was chosen for publication by the Sigma Theta Tau International, honor society of nursing. He is a leading voice in the field of organizational development and a pioneer in the area of group learning grounded in spirit and collective wisdom.

In 1971, Alan was part of an international community in Israel, founded on the principals of the communal kibbutz. As an educator, he helped in the start up and development of a free school in Maine (1973) and was the first Director of Education for the Vermont group home that became the model program for deinstitutionalization of confined youth (1978). His interest in alternative educational settings continued for over 10 years (1995 – 2005) as the principal consultant to the George Lucas Educational Foundation.

His work with human potential and organizational learning continued as a specialist in prison reform and health care. He was the first person to research emerging theories of moral development with prison inmates and led a model program aiding inmates to bridge the chasm between cell block and useful employment. In the 1980’s he was the one of the first organizational consultants to work with senior leadership in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, western division. As a health care consultant in the mid 1990’s, he helped design programs for practicing physicians to deepen their communication skills with patients. He is a founding member of the Relationship Centered Care Network.

His book, The Stirring of Soul in the Workplace (1996), was credited with helping shape the spirit and work movement in the late 1990’s. In workshops and conference settings, he has given keynotes or facilitated dialogues on the human aspects of leadership and the role of spirit in groups. He has been invited to speak on his work throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, England, and South Africa. He has a doctorate from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and is a Professional Associate of the Grubb Institute in London. His love of photography opened his inner eye to the beauty that enfolds us.

Alan lives in Oakland, CA with his wife and son.

My book review of The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly by Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson, and Tom Callanan.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.



If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.



To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with speaker, consultant, co-founder of The Collective Wisdom Institute, and co-author of the important and world changing book The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly, Alan Briskin, as he shares ideas from the emerging field of collective wisdom. He shares study and practice of more effective and satisfying ways of working with others. Groups contain extraordinary creative potential collectively. While collective wisdom doesn't arise through an act of will, you will learn six commitments you can adopt to increase the likelihood that it will appear. Discover as well the pitfalls of polarization and false agreement, and how they lead to collective folly on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly, Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson, Tom Callanan, collective decision making, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

READ MORE - Alan Briskin: The Power Of Collective Wisdom - Blog Business Success Radio

The Power of Collective Wisdom

And the Trap of Collective Folly

By: Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson, Tom Callanan

Published: October 2009
Format: Paperback, 239pp
ISBN-13: 9781576754450
ISBN-10: 1576754456
Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers






"Collective wisdom reflects a similar capacity to learn together and evolve toward something greater and wiser than what we can do as individuals alone", write educators, founders of the Collective Wisdom Institute, and group process facilitators Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan in their important and world changing book The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly. The authors share a convincing and timely discussion of the need and desire for moving beyond individuality to a more collective mode of thinking, where wisdom can emerge spontaneously, creating effective solutions to the pressing problems and concerns of today and tomorrow.

Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan describe, through stories and examples of the necessity for people to work together to imagine and develop ideas and possibilities larger than themselves. The authors believe firmly that the old problem solving solutions, and the divisive nature of much modern thinking, are no longer effective and are even counter-productive in process and outcome. For the authors, change is not entirely at the macro level, but works even more effectively when collective wisdom applied at the individual level. Small groups of people working together, thinking of ideas and workable lasting solutions, are the basis for collective wisdom to appear and spread to others. The authors recognize that collective wisdom cannot be willed into existence, but will arise when the right climate of cooperation, understanding, and mutual respect are in place.



Alan Briskin (photo left), John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan understand the dangers of collective thinking as well. The authors warn against what they term collective folly. When groups of people get together, with the desire to solve problems, there is always the risk of polarization and of forced agreement. Both situations work against collective wisdom bu imposing group think and even the horrors of a mob mentality. Recent history and current events provide many all too familiar examples of the forces of collective folly in action. The authors show the reader how to be alert to the group dynamics that can lead away from collective wisdom and down the treacherous road toward collective folly. By knowing the warning signs, the dangers of collective folly can be avoided, and the groundwork for the spontaneous appearance of collective wisdom, can be put into place.

For me, the power of the book is how Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan describe the empowering and world changing aspects of collective wisdom through both theory and real world example. The book and its ideas are research based, on actual academic and practical study, making the concept relevant and a realistic process and goal to achieve. For the authors, human nature does not tend toward atomization and isolation, but toward collective understanding and problem solving as a group. The open and honest admission, that collective wisdom cannot be willed into existence, is important for understanding the concept and its value. If an attempt is made to force collective wisdom, that thinking process will lead instead to the pitfalls of collective folly. Through the critical six commitments presented by the authors, the likelihood that collective wisdom will appear are greatly enhanced.

I highly recommend the must read book The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly by Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan, to anyone seeking a better way to discover and make real and lasting decisions that benefit everyone, and not just the few. Instead of personal agendas, polarization, and false agreement, learn the extraordinary ability of groups to tap into extraordinary human potential.

Read the essential guide to finding the strength of co-creation The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly by Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson and Tom Callanan, and find insight through cooperation, instead of polarization.

Tags: The Power of Collective Wisdom: And the Trap of Collective Folly, Alan Briskin, John Ott, Sheryl Erickson, Tom Callanan, collective decision making, business book reviews.

READ MORE - The Power of Collective Wisdom by Alan Briskin, Sheryl Erickson, John Orr & Tom Callanan - Book review

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma based Avondale Investments LLC President Don Dillingham (photo left) and Senior Adviser J.D. Colbert were kind enough to answer a few questions about Avondale Investments LLC. They also discussed how the firm was selected to manage the wind down of the Capital Purchase Program and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act and the special challenges and opportunities presented with the contract.

Thanks to Don Dillingham, and special thanks to J.D. Colbert who sent these interesting and informative answers.

Your firm was selected as one of six companies to manage the wind down of the Capital Purchase Program and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act. What were those programs designed to do?

J.D. Colbert: The EESA was an unprecedented effort on behalf of the federal government to intervene into the nation's economy with the intention of preventing an overall "economic meltdown". The EESA bill, passed in September, 2008 was a response by the Bush Administration to severe and worsening economic dislocation in the nation's economy and an attempt to avoid still worse conditions. The EESA authorized $700 billion for this overall economic stabilization effort.

The Capital Purchase Program (CPP) was one of several programs created under the EESA. Initially, under the EESA, there was the intention to use a large portion of the $700 billion to purchase "toxic assets" from the balance sheets of financial institutions. These toxic assets were generally defaulted home loan mortgages and financial assets that had gone sour. The Bush administration quickly realized that this approach would take too much time.

In the interests of expediency, the CPP was created to where Treasury could invest monies directly into the bank by purchasing stock in banks so that the bank would then have additional liquidity with the intention of the bank making additional loans using the monies.

What size and type of financial institutions and what types of assets are included in the stabilization effort?

J.D. Colbert: All sizes and types of Financial Institutions are participating in the stabilization effort through the various programs Treasury is administering under the EESA. These include commercial banks, both large and small, and other firms such as AIG, GMAC, Chrysler Holding, and General Motors Corporation.

What are your firm's role and responsibilities in that process?

J.D. Colbert: Avondale's role will include a significant role in the ongoing evaluation and monitoring of the financial condition and financial performance of the financial institutions assigned to Avondale.



J.D. Colbert (photo left)

Will you be working closely with the Treasury department regarding the valuation of the assets involved?

J.D. Colbert: Yes. Under the contract signed between Avondale and the U.S. Treasury, known as the Financial Agency Agreement (FAA), Avondale will be responsible for periodically valuing Treasury's investments in Financial Institutions.

How important is it to you and your organization to maintain transparency and accountability as your perform your new duties?

J.D. Colbert: It is VERY important to both Avondale and the U.S. Treasury to maintain the highest standards of transparency and accountability in Avondale's fulfilling the duties and responsibilities to Treasury as outlined in the FAA. The FAA itself outlines mechanisms, procedures and policies that call for the highest standards of transparency and accountability.

How was your firm selected for this role and are there other Native American firms involved in the process?

J.D. Colbert: Avondale's selection as a Financial Agent in December, 2009 represented the culmination of a 13 month evaluation and selection process conducted by Treasury.

In early November, 2008 Treasury promulgated a Request for Proposals (RFP) in which Treasury was seeking the assistance of private sector asset management firms to help managed the assets created under the EESA. Over 200 asset management firms responded to the RFP. In the end, only 9 firms were selected and Avondale is the only Native American firm.

The evaluation and selection process included responding to the RFP, transmitting to Treasury numerous documents attesting to Avondale's capabilities, face-to-face meetings, teleconferences with Treasury and Treasury's evaluation of Avondale's internal control standards and audit processes.

Do you see yourselves and your firm as positive role models for aspiring Native American entrepreneurs?

J.D. Colbert: From the very positive response of our many contacts across Indian Country, it is fair to say that Indian Country shares our joy and honor at being selected as one of only nine firms out of over 200 firms to be awarded this important contract with Treasury.

We feel that aspiring Native American entrepreneurs will be encouraged by this unprecedented selection of a Native firm by Treasury. We also recognize the great responsibility upon Avondale to deliver excellence in our performance of the duties of the contract such that we might be able to pave the way for future Treasury contracts with other Native-owned firms.

What advice would you give to a Native American person considering a career in entrepreneurship?

J.D. Colbert: We as a general matter encourage entrepreneurship in Indian Country. At an individual level we would advise a Native American person considering entrepreneurship to remember that the most "successful" businesspeople aren't necessarily the ones who have made the most money. Success lies in doing those things that make you the most happy and those things that you are passionate about. Thus, identify that which you are most passionate about and considering building a self-perpetuating business around that passion.

What is next for Don Dillingham and JD Colbert and for Avondale Investments?

J.D. Colbert: In addition to dutifully and faithfully discharging all of the responsibilities and duties under the FAA with Treasury, we believe that this contract will facilitate additional contracts with federal agencies and Indian tribal government in the asset management area as well as facilitating Avondale's involvement in community development finance opportunities.

READ MORE - Avondale Investments: Wind Down of Capital Purchase Program & Emergency Economic Stabilization Act - interview