Her backstory:
Alison relies on more than two decades of HR and recruitment experience to identify and connect talent with organizations, and help individuals position themselves for success in the job market. She founded Hudson River Career Resources to provide job seekers with the assistance they need to find and secure job roles they’ll thrive in. Services include resume writing and career search assistance and outplacement.
Alison co-founded and served as a past president of the Capital Region Recruiters’ Network (CRRN), and served as a long-time board member and former president of the Capital Region HR Association (CRHRA). She currently serves on several boards and volunteer organizations. She has written numerous published articles on various topics related to the job search field and her career advice is featured in a book on Monster.com.
What is the best advice a mentor or boss ever gave you?
I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of great advice from mentors, associates and bosses throughout my career. The best advice has been around the themes of how to: persevere, stay strong, avoid judgments and be confident in how you communicate.
Here’s a sampling:
Hustle is important.
A quote shared by a colleague is a good reminder of this. “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be running.”
Stop apologizing.
A manager once told me. “Your question is important. “If you have a question, don’t preface the conversation with, “I know you’re busy.” We are all busy.
Take risks.
“Every hire has an element of risk. Don’t let that hold you back.” This came from a client and it’s so true.
Just ask!
From a business partner: “If you don’t ask for the sale, you won’t get it.” Be direct, ask for what you want. People can’t read minds.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
My first manager used to say, “If the merchandise is in the stockroom, it will never sell.” This is so important to keep in mind. In business— ‘build it and they will come’ doesn’t always work out. Be strategic and plan carefully.
Convey confidence.
From my mom, an accomplished writer and editor, when writing a persuasive document, avoid: “I think” “I feel” “I believe.” Write with conviction and make clear, concise points.
Empathy matters.
Another good one from my mom, a beloved mentor: “Don’t make assumptions. You have no idea what is happening behind closed doors.”
