Atmosphere One

There’s something about looking for work that propels me to action.   If you can remove any sense of frustration and anxiety about the process, change and the unknown, there is something really exciting about looking for a new job.  Think of all of the potential new possibilities and new horizons that are coming your way.

I believe that the opportunity for change and personal expansion, whilst confronting, ultimately leads us onto a new and better path every time. No workplace or position is perfect, right? So even if things don’t work out like you planned in the new job for whatever reason, we always learn something about ourselves, gain some new skills and hopefully make some new connections.

Depending on which door you chose to open, there’s the potential to:

• make more money,
• get better training,
• develop your skills,
• learn about how to deal with difficult situations or people,
• get a promotion,
• make new friends,
• have a better lifestyle,
• learn more about your industry,
• travel for work,
• gain great benefits,
• have a fresh start,
• meet an inspirational mentor,
• have a good stepping stone to the next thing
• or work in a positive cohesive team environment

The key to staying optimistic about looking for work and the possibilities it is bringing your way, in a nutshell, is to: work out a good plan of attack with your search, keep refining your approach, let the past go and focus on now instead, believe you can achieve what you put your mind to and be patient with a strong dose of persistence (oh if only it was as simple as it sounds!).

Good luck and keep on opening those doors!

<This blog has been censored. By order of THE AUTHORITIES>

…… Only kidding!   Still though, this concept is actually not too farfetched with the current undertone of political rhetoric.  (This blog has nothing to do with recruitment or work, though it’s my blog and I’ll rant if I want to and maybe I’ll have a sympathetic ear with you technologists).

Apparently the internet has suddenly become dangerous in the eyes of some governments.  I’m baffled to understand the sudden paranoia from our government and now from the US to want to control the flow of information. Other countries like Iran and China I can understand, but the US and Australia? It is bizarre.  I mean I’m always very objective with these things but being a journalism graduate, I will entertain conspiracy theories with a strong application of logic.  Something has to be very wrong with this picture. All cards are on the table as far as Im concerned – what is really going on? Check out all of the articles and blogs in The Age website at the moment about the ‘Toxic Net Filters,’ ‘Web Snooping Policy Shrouded in Secrecy,’ ‘Internet freedom in 2010 looks like 1984’ and ‘Obama Internet Kill Switch’ to get all the background on this.

I remember in history learning about how one of the first things Hitler did was to gain control over the media and in doing so, he had complete control over the public through propaganda. We have become so reliant on the internet, that to think that our government wants to have control over it and now allegedly (see also ZDnet: ‘Inside Australia’s data retention proposal’) wants to be able to monitor and keep records of what we look at and who we communicate with on the web, is a very, very scary concept.  Hitler was successful because no one (who lived anyway) really questioned what he did and frankly, it’s alarming that this issue isn’t so much more mainstream conversation than it currently is.  If the people don’t stop this, then what legacy are we setting up for the future? There should be applicable laws yes, with consequences for breaking them, but no individuals in government, with secret lists and agendas, should have ultimate control over the internet – EVER.  (Although I do agree with having secret agents be able to tap specific people if necessary).

Maybe they want ultimate control for our own good – for our ‘protection.’ Maybe the earth is about to be populated with aliens (taking tongue out of cheek), or maybe it is to protect us from those ‘terrorists.’  It seems to me the internet isn’t as dangerous as the potential new policies and thought fields coming from ‘the authorities’.

What are they really afraid of?  I just dont get it.

So you’ve been diligently resolving your support calls day in, day out. My mouse won’t work. Fixed. My emails are stuck in Outlook.  Job done.  Service with a smile. You’ve been ‘the face of IT’ for your company and won over those users, so they ask for you personally.  Remember to log your request. Check.

What you really want is to get your hands on the company’s servers and comms infrastructure. Bring on the chance to put into practice my Microsoft and CISCO training and get into the nitty gritty I hear you say.  Well I empathise with your situation.  Over the years, I have spoken to thousands of Helpdesk and Desktop Engineers who desperately want the chance to develop their skills to the next level, though I know as well as you, how hard it can be to get to that next level in your career.

You might be competing with ten other Desktop Engineers for that one internal System Administrator vacancy.  You don’t get it. Your Manager promises a review at next year’s performance review.

There might never even be an internal vacancy in the systems space in your company and you’ve been a loyal employee for the last four years.  The two current Engineers have been there for the last ten years and look like they’ll be there for the next ten years.

You apply for System Administration jobs online, only to not get shortlisted because there are other candidates with more Systems Administration experience and the hiring company wants a perfect match.

Catch 22.  How do you get the experience and stand out to land that job you need to propel your career forward?

Certainly there is no easy answer to the conundrum all ambitious Desktop Support Analysts face. However here are some tips to put yourself in the place of most potential:

1)      Put yourself in the place of most potential. If you work in a team of 50 Desktop Engineers the likelihood is that one opportunity for internal promotion is going to be fiercely competitive with the other 49 Desktop Support Engineers.   Also, you will probably not have a chance to work closely with the systems or comms teams, because you’re likely to be very siloed.  (That is unless the company is growing and doing a lot of project work, or they have a great way of developing their people through the company). So working in a smaller team where you have more interaction with the senior levels is great exposure for you and when a vacancy does arise, there will be fewer internal candidates going for it.

2)      Be enthusiastic, show you would do what it takes to step up and be good at articulating it. If you don’t have all of the experience required for a position, explain in an interview what you would do for a company who would give you this shot.  A lot of the time, a hiring manager will warm to taking on the more enthusiastic dedicated person who nearly matches the criteria, over a candidate who ticks every single box but who doesn’t have that ‘fire’ you do.

3)     Look for a new job in a different company. If you need to apply for work externally to move up, it might be that you need to take a sideways move in order to put yourself in the place of most potential. So more Desktop Support.  Keep on going and hope that the new company will give you more opportunities.  Make sure you ask good questions in an interview to determine the general potential. If you come across another fantastic Desktop vacancy, make sure you reassure the interviewer that whilst you’re career goal over the next few years is to develop into the systems or comms space, you enjoy Desktop Support and are happy to do it. If you harp on too much about servers, they’ll think you’re not bothered about doing Desktop Support.

4)      Show personal commitment and interest. It’s all well and good to ask for a company to give you training, though if you haven’t done any study on the side, you’re missing out on an opportunity to show how passionate you are about technology and your career.  If you can’t afford a full classroom training course, buy the textbooks and study afterhours.  Your non technical friends might tease you a little, though if you have a home network to work with, it does show another layer of interest about technology.

5)      Learn from your peers. If you are working for a company where you have more daily interaction with the server and comms teams, make the most of it by asking for tips and training.  It is however, a fine line. You don’t want to harrang the seniors too much otherwise a) your manager might think you’re not interested in the job they’ve hired you to do and b) the Engineers might not have the time to help you out or want you to stay out of their ‘patch’.  A good balance could be to say to the Engineers / your Manager that you’re keen to develop your understanding, so you might offer your help on any after hours projects (or ask to watch them at work if they don’t have anything for you to do), that way it doesn’t interfere with your day job.   The best idea I think Ive ever heard on how to develop your knowledge is a Desktop Engineer who said they made a deal with a Systems Engineer in their team to bring him a coffee everyday first thing in the morning in exchange for a new tit bit of training. The Engineer was only more than happy to help!

6)      Be realistic and try not to get frustrated or down on yourself. If you don’t get a job, or you keep trying to make that next step and you don’t get anywhere, don’t waste your energy on feeling bad, angry or frustrated – it won’t serve you. Stick at it, take on feedback and keep going.  Ask for honest feedback from your manager as to what you really need to do. If you aim for what you want it will surely come together for you eventually and that positive attitude will shine through generally.

It would be great if any Engineers or Administrators, or Infrastructure Managers reading this blog are able to offer any additional insights to help the Desktop Support Engineers.

How did you make that next step up?  Was there anything in particular you did? What do you look for if you’re promoting someone internally? Is there anything that Desktop Engineer’s shouldn’t do?

BOOM!  The fireworks go off as the second hand crosses that midnight point.  The mix of emotions from excitement, reflection, contemplation, joy, gratitude and most significantly hope.

A new year.  So full of hope and promise.  A chance to wipe the slate clean.  So many people have said to me that 2009 really sucked – good riddance they said.  I wonder what really changed as the second hand snuck over midnight?

Even in the first week of the New Year, most people have already lost their mojo around the New Year’s resolutions they had made in earnest, as 2009 came to a close.  Frankly, I’m not sure I can remember half of mine (though I think I had two pages long so was maybe a little overambitious!). There is a statistic floating around that says six months after New Years, less than half of resolutions made, have been kept.

I find it incredible that we’re nearly half way through this New Year of ours already.  They said this would happen when I was a child.  That time would speed up and before I knew it the days would roll into years. If you’re like most people who have already given up on their resolution dreams for a new beginning, or are faltering with uncertainty and the hum drum of your normal operating system, here are some ideas for you to help regroup, refocus and make it happen superhero style.

1. Ask yourself what will it really mean to you if you can make this change?  How important is it to you? Try not to forget this. Write it down. Pin it up.
2. Determination, desire and persistence will get you to the finish line.
3. You are at A and you want to get to Z.  Fill in the blanks.  Have a plan.
4. Do plenty of research – check out the personal development section at the book store.
5. Begin it NOW.  The ‘now’, is where our personal power lies – not tomorrow, or ‘after  X day’
6. Do something in your plan every day to contribute towards your goal (no, in fact, do something now)
7. Assess your inner beliefs around the resolution.  It is totally possible for things to be different (even if it’s only your perspective).
8. Be internally observant around any limiting thoughts around the change – question yourself on how these thoughts are serving you.  If they’re not, replace them with encouraging thoughts. Sensibly weigh up any risks around your change, then move forward logically.
9. Be internally observant around any limiting thoughts around the change.  This cannot be overstated. The mind can be most unhelpful and will naturally try to battle any positive change with all kinds of resistance. Try a trick from Louise Hay, say this affirmation to yourself, ‘I am willing to change and I release all resistance,’ every time a limiting belief or unconstructive thought arises.
10. Some things just aren’t possible and you can’t change it, instead focus on changing your reaction to this and work on acceptance.
11. Be continually kind to yourself, if you keep getting off track, berating yourself does not serve you – just regroup on your superhero mission again.
12. Be mindful of external, even well meaning saboteurs, eg (teasing / snigger) ‘Oh yes you’re trying to do that <enter goal here> again?’, or (patronising)‘oh well done (for losing 3KGs), eating that X won’t help you’ etc, etc.  Be open to the support and opinions or advice of others, as they may have something valid to contribute, though discard anything that brings you down or isn’t helpful.
13. Be mindful, there could be some people who may not want you to make this change.  I find it useful to try be kind and compassionate towards these people.
14. It is helpful to remember you are completely responsible for your own life, thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions.
15. Resolutions generally involve a behaviour change, which can be a struggle –enlist relevant professional or get a mentor to help in the area of your goal for support.

(Footnote: If you haven’t guessed already, the ‘giving up smoking’ was on my New Years resolutions, so Im dedicated this blog to myself for rereading every time I even think about going there!)

Recently I’ve realised that for most of my life, I’ve had a certain ‘greater level than normal’ preoccupation with the concept of freedom.  Freedom comes in many forms and manifests in many different ways – I suppose I see it as the right to create who you chose to be in this world, without breaching the rights of others. Some forms of freedom that come to my mind would be:

• Freedom from oppression
• Freedom from negative or limiting thoughts
• Freedom of speech
• Freedom of information
• Physical freedom
• Emotional freedom
• Time freedom

A week ago on Anzac Day I pondered on freedom some more – on the brave men who have died over the years in the name of our freedom.  I considered whether I personally, am truly making the most of this gift I have been given – of living in a society that has mostly untold freedom (well, aside from the prospect of our up coming internet censorship, but that’s for another blog!).  I turned my attention to anything unwanted that is holding me back, enslaving me in my life. Smoking.  So with a turn onto Tuesday, I haven’t looked back and haven’t smoked since (miraculous, since Im one of those tedious perpetually giving up smoking people – this time I think I’ve actually done it for good though).

That’s awesome Charlotte.  Pat on the back. Go and gloat some more in your smoke free-ness. But how does this relate to work and recruitment I hear you ask?  Well I suppose, I think it’s always good to be thinking about whether a higher level of freedom is yours for the taking when it comes to your work life too, especially seeing as it takes up so much of our lives. It could be that you could create more freedom for yourself if you are in a job that really sucks.  Working for a company that takes too much and gives back little. In a career you don’t want to be in. Working for a company that goes against your values.  If you’re not paid enough or can’t make ends meet. If your hours are ridiculous. If your health is suffering.  If you’re bored or uninspired. If you’d rather be living somewhere else.  If the people you work with are toxic. If you’re not using your amazing talents and abilities.

Sure, there may be valuable lessons in the current situation, though the point Im trying to make is, I believe it is possible to create your own personal best sense of freedom.  Remembering you have the power to make things change and make things happen, for you. To live your best possible life.  Things might not happen over night.  It might need a careful plan. It might be a hard slog. You might need to change, (even if it’s just your perspective for the time being). There may be sacrifices.  You might not succeed straight away.  But then again, who says you can’t? You just might.

After all my big boots talking about how Im going to write a blog more than four times a year, I clearly need to step to it. Ah the promise of a regular entry and rantings from me and alas not a peep since I set this blog up.  The truth is that I was about to dispense some advice in my next blog and it occurred to me (like a good business woman needs to think of these things) that I really need Terms of Business on this blog of mine.

Frustratingly, then having to think like a lawyer quickly killed off my writing ‘flow.’ “You must not use the Website (or material obtained from the Website) to harm, abuse, defame, harass, stalk, threaten or otherwise offend others or violate the legal rights of others or restrict or prevent another user from using and enjoying this Website.” I mean really? Nutcases.  Need to think about the nutcases. My expansive thoughts of helping you out with your confidence, or an interesting case study on a company’s green IT initiative, quickly turned to information superhighway paranoia. So, ‘1) Sort out Blog’s Terms of Business’ sat on my list of things to do for around two months, whilst I ducked in and out of thoughts about preventing others from using this blog to “to breach any applicable laws or regulations” and highlighting that, impersonating “any person or entity or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity” is not cool.

Still I got there in the end. There was a price though.  That was the fleeting mind space it took, every time I looked at that list of things to do: ‘Uggh haven’t done the Terms yet.  Need to do the Terms.  Don’t have time.  Have too many jobs to fill.  They need to be perfect, you need more time to work it out.  Do it tonight.  (Tonight comes), can’t stare at the computer anymore today, I should go to the gym.  Should do it soon though because of all your big boots blog talking. Tomorrow night.’

Had I just sat down and sorted it out without question, it would’ve been done and all that split second, annoying frustration at having something sitting there on the list for all that time, wouldn’t have been there.  Frankly, Im not at all big on cheesy buzz words, business catchphrases and acronyms, though I always remember one client of mine saying they lived by this mantra and it is actually one I like: “Do it, Dump it or Delegate it.”  Outsourced to the experts, just like it should be, delegate it I did.

Atmosphere One has just turned three. For the sake of sentimentality and for the lack of an actual official launch date, let’s say it was three years ago today.  Three years ago today, I was under pressure.  In the three weeks prior I had make sure everything was organised and ready to go – I had to choose a name for my business, make sure the name domain was free, register my business, open a bank account, complete the business plan, develop processes, buy furniture, fine tune the value proposition, get my website up and running, choose the right telco provider – everything you could possibly think of to set up a business from scratch. In that three week period, the thing that took me the longest was choosing the name.  It took an entire week.  If you imagine that I had sunk everything I owned into setting up my business and that I had four month window to succeed, you’ll understand that the name was kind of important to me.

A lot of people in business will tell you how hard it is to choose a name.  First you have to like it, second it has to work, third it has to be available and then fourth the available domain name needs to be free.  I have had a lot of different reactions about the name Atmosphere One.  From the tentative, ‘Are you sure it doesn’t sound like a nightclub?’ to the bemused ‘How did you choose THAT name?’ Well believe me when I tell you I went through the entire dictionary, ruling out the obvious ‘People, Recruitment, Resources, Search, Talent etc.  It came down to Magnetic and Atmosphere. I chose Atmosphere because truly, I believe one of the main ingredients for success in any relationship, team or company is the vibe.   How people feel at work.  How they feel when they deal with you. Do they trust you?  Are you trustworthy? Can they feel safe to be themselves? Is there inspiration? Where is it going long term? Do they feel part of something special and unique?  I only want to be a connector for teams who have a great atmosphere for the candidates I work with. Or where I can see I can help to create a great atmosphere, by adding star performers as key ingredients and the way I see it, a star performer always brings that something special – the right energy.

Blogging is an act of faith and desire.  Desire?  Because surely, to keep it up, to have the tenacity to write more than five blogs per year, you have to have some kind of motivation behind what you’re doing.  Some reason why you’re doing it in the first place.  I say ‘you’re’ when I really mean me. I am a perennial ‘shoulda woulda coulda’ when it comes to writing anything.  I have a degree in journalism and a non stop flow of ideas for documentaries, novels and movie scripts, though when it comes to actually sitting down and writing anything, I get a serious case of self indulgent procrastination and writers block.  My desire for creating a blog for Atmosphere One, was never about developing a blog because it is the thing to do. Certainly, it won’t be a forum for whinging and criticism.   My blogging desire was partly selfish to actually get my writing juices flowing and partly because well, I know a lot of really interesting people, who, if I am able to help or inspire in some way, by imparting knowledge and the sharing of ideas then my blogging desire will be totally fulfilled.

This is where I think the importance of Blogging Faith comes in. Faith is quite necessary, in any endeavor really. Blogging can feel like somewhat of a narcissistic pursuit in the beginning.  How do you know anyone is really going to read what you write in the first place?  After all, we’re talking an over saturated market here.  Every man and his dog has a blog these days and in recruitment, there will be the challenge of writing about more than just interview skills and the same rehashed topics on resume writing tips etcetera. So far so good – I’m quite pleased with myself that I didn’t call my first blog ‘Welcome.’  So I’ll keep on writing and have blogging faith that someone will get something from this – even if it’s only me.