What Does A Certified Career Management Coach Do?

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

People often ask, “What does a Certified Career Management Coach do?” In a word, my job is to help you discover your unique skills and abilities and to help you find the perfect career or job position for those skills and abilities.

A career management coach is more than a mentor. She is knowledgeable about the latest trends in job search, interviewing techniques, resume formats, and other specific job search activities. Many people, executives in particular, spend years at the same job or same company. By the time they re-enter the job market, techniques and challenges of seeking a job have changed. A coach can help you adapt and adjust your style to those changes.

It’s best to seek out the services of a certified coach because that means she has undergone a specific training regimen to be qualified to serve you.

A certified career management coach has proven skills and knowledge that can benefit you in your job search. Whether you are simply seeking a new position within your chosen profession, making a career change, or entering the job market for the first time, a coach can help you clarify your vision and coach you to achieving it successfully.

The key is successful job search techniques. What I do is not based on theory. It’s based on years of practice and keeping up with the latest in job search strategies. A coach is your personal assistance, motivator, and encourager.

Filed Under: jobseeker Tagged With: , , , ,

Freshen Your Executive Bio

December 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Many executives find their next job with a biography. An executive biography is a different format than a resume. They are generally written in full paragraph form rather than in bullet statements, but an executive bio can make you memorable and can be full of punch if written correctly.

An executive bio is more flexible than a resume. You can carry hard copies with you to carry around with you to job interviews, job fairs, and association meetings. You can also use it on your website, in your portfolio, and in other professional packages.

Many public speakers use an executive bio to help them secure more public speaking engagements. While at the venue where you deliver your speech, you can hand out copies of your executive bio to interested employers, stockholders, board members, and other VIPs for future engagements and potential future executive positions.

Your executive biography is a “take with you anywhere” document that you can use for many occasions.

Executives who are also authors use a bio for their book jackets. They often pass their bio to their agents and publishers for professional use in marketing their books and other marketing collateral.

For the best use of your bio, you should update it yearly just as you do your resume. Find out how you can freshen up your executive biography with just one phone call.

Filed Under: Career Mgt. Tagged With: , , ,

Laying Off Your Loyal Employees The Right Way

December 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

It’s understandable that certain events out of your control will force you to look at ways to cut expenses. Of course it’s no secret that one of the biggest budget items on any company’s balance sheet is payroll expenses. Sometimes, lay offs are simply unavoidable. But you will build a lot of good will among your labor base if you provide some job assistance in the process.

You’ll never make everyone happy. That’s true. But you can ease the pain of a sudden job loss if you help your laid off employees with their transition into the job market.

So what kind of assistance can you offer? Here are some ideas:

  • Career transition coaching
  • Professional bio development
  • Resume writing
  • Job search strategy coaching
  • Online identity management coaching
  • Personal branding sessions
  • And much more

You can develop a custom job transition package for your work force that will help your laid off employees make the transition from happy employee to job seeker. By putting out this expense, you are telling your employees that you care about them and that you would be willing to consider them for future employment if your situation changes in the future. Building this kind of good will will make your employees more likely to want to work for you in the future, and you build a positive PR/public image for your company.

People talk. If you want your current employees to say good things about your company after they leave, then give them good reasons to. Help them find their next job instead of simply sending them out the door with no assistance.

Filed Under: Help Others Tagged With: , , , ,

Thank You Letters for Clients

December 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

No matter what line of business you are in, sending thank you letters to clients is a good business practice. This simple move can let clients know you appreciate their business. While many businesses send out thank you letters, most are copied and sent out in mass mailings.

Why not take the time to send out handwritten cards or letters? The letter does not need to be long, a few paragraphs or even sentences will do. If you do not have perfect handwriting, ask a friend or one of your employees if they would like to help. For independent contractors, you can hire someone to write the notes for you. Sending a note to clients you have not been hired by but may work for in the future is another strategy that will let them know you may be the right employee for their service.

You may have to get a little resourceful to find the address of your client. When you wish to send out thank you letters, you may need to check your invoice information or investigate PayPal for the address of clients. It isn’t bad manners to let clients know that you send holiday cards or notes – if you can’t find their address, then you may just need to ask for it and build a list.

For job seekers interested in sending a note to an interviewer, send the note to their human resources department with ‘ATTN: Interviewer Name’. This will get the note to the person who interviewed you. Don’t go overboard and send gifts; since it may be misunderstood and can even send the message that you are desperate. Thank you gifts are best left for clients or customers who have used your services in the past and should be kept simple – something that reminds them of you, but not in a manner that is too showy. A coffee cup with your logo is acceptable. A huge bouquet of balloons with ‘Thanks for your business, come again!’ is not.

Filed Under: Job Search, Positive Attitude Tagged With: , , ,

What Does Your Online Presence Say About You?

December 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We’ve all seen it. Someone takes the time to build their profiles on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. They craft fun updates. Each and every day they agonize over just the right words to post. Followers and friends are added, slowly at first, then with more speed. After a lot of time and effort – a budding online presence has been established. But, out of the blue, something happens and that carefully crafted online brand falls to pieces due to one fatal mistake.

What is that mistake? Well, there are several, but the most deadly is the ‘freak out’. Celebrities have fallen prey to the online freak-out when a fan (or critic) says the wrong words. Pushes the wrong buttons.  Perhaps an intern forgets that they are using a company account instead of their personal to post something politically polarizing. Anything can happen online, just like in Vegas. The only problem? What happens on the internet truly does stay on the internet. Forever. Your online presence is permanent and can be marred by one big screw up.

When building your online brand, it is important to remember one key strategy: keep it professional. If your profiles are public, keep what you say or share on a professional level. You may want to think about creating personal, locked accounts for family and close friends on Facebook and Twitter. If not, be sure that you do not post anything that can compromise your brand. You are your brand, and so while you might add personal information, advice or opinions, remember that if you are using the account to generate professional interest and business, think twice about your contributions.

 

Filed Under: Online Identity Tagged With: , , , ,

Are You Using Job Boards?

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you are searching for a new job, the classifieds in your local newspaper may help. However, the internet offers many more avenues for local businesses to find employees. Not only can you find a new job with a local employer, but you may find a position with a global company that hires telecommuting employees. Most businesses have found that online job boards are the best way to reach out for qualified employees.

Using job boards isn’t hard and should be your first stop in your search for employment. Some of the best, highest salaried jobs are advertised on these boards. Forums, online classifieds, and even the websites of the companies you wish to apply at can help you revitalize your job search.

Most companies have websites. Even when a business does not have a regular site, you may find their information on other sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn. While Facebook does not have a job search function like LinkedIn, you may ‘like’ the page of a business and use their listed contact information to send in your resume.

Job boards are slightly different, as they provide listings of many companies. Some boards are paid – this means the company must pay to list their job. Others, like Craigslist, are free in many cities. New York City charges a fee for some employers to list jobs or ‘gigs’.

Beware of ‘blind’ jobs or advertisements. This means that no identifying information is listed that tells you who the company is. Never apply or respond to requests for potential employees to pay for job information, this is a scam. If a ‘job’ listing has an affiliate link or requests a sign-up for services, avoid the so-called job. This is another scam designed to part you from your money.

Reputable job forums or websites often vet the employers advertising. Do your research and pay attention to the ads. Within a short time you’ll be an expert at spotting real jobs versus scammers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: , ,

Resume Writing for a Career Transition

November 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you have been working in one industry for most of your adult life, a career transition can be frightening. While you may be excited at the prospect of changing jobs, it is understandable and expected that a tiny bit of apprehension will sit in a corner of your mind. It isn’t uncommon for those of us that change careers to sit, staring at our resume, and wonder, “Am I doing the right thing? Is this job for me? Am I crazy?”

Part of this fear stems from re-vamping our resumes. It is possible to have written a great resume only to discover it reflects just your knowledge of your previous career. This can be turned into a strength for a new resume by recycling skills already developed. Believe it or not, your previous career and hobbies have a treasure trove of qualifications that transfer to your new career.

Take a moment (or few) to consider job duties you have performed in the past. No one begins a career as an expert. Even college graduates have knowledge – not experience. As you spend time engrossed in your resume writing, consider how each experience can be listed as a qualification for your new career. For example, someone that worked in childcare may have the skills needed to work in human resources. This may sound strange until you realize that working with children requires a vast amount of patience. Problem solving skills used with children can carry over to resolving co-worker issues because children lack the same reasoning skills as adults.

Every learning experience you have had can be translated into a meaningful entry on your new resume. All it takes is a little insight, along with understanding of the career you plan to transition into. Remember that life experience can also be work experience. Don’t discount the industries you have worked in part-time. Even so-called “lowly jobs” can teach us all something useful for later positions. Don’t forget that social networking can now be considered a skill set, and as you consider how to re-write your resume, brush up on your social networking skills. You’ll make new friends, learn social media marketing, and make contacts for your career transition.

 

Filed Under: Career Change, Job Search Tagged With: , , , ,

Interview Preparation – A Tactical Approach

July 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Job seekers often confess to me that they get nervous before and during job interviews. They feel that their nervousness is often visible and has a direct effect on how they are perceived and on the results of the interview. Unfortunately they are right. To overcome their fears or at least to press on through their nervousness, the advice I always give job seekers is to prepare for the encounter before the interview.

The best way to prepare and increase your advantage over other job seekers with similar credentials is to research the company thoroughly to give you a better understanding of the company and the job being presented to you. Search the company website, industry associations, and competition and Google the company and industry. Look for information on issues the company is currently facing, what their history says about their future, and new projects or products the department is working on to get a true understanding of the company’s standings, future and culture.

If the company is large or well-known, you can also look on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and even Twitter. Find out what others are saying about the company, their products, and management. Even more importantly, conduct research to determine if this is a company you can help, succeed at, and is a good fit for you and your career goals.

Once you have a thorough understanding of what the company and position is looking for, you can determine how to showcase your specific and unique skills and experience to help the company accomplish their goals. Identifying these needs will also help you prepare for the different types of questions that will be likely asked. If you don’t have any questions available to you, search the Internet for interview questions related to your field of work.

Many questions now used are behavioral type questions. For those that aren’t familiar with this term, it is the type of question that looks to your past for examples and answers, usually sounding something similar to, “Tell me about a time when you…”. It is a good idea to practice writing out answers to typically asked questions and questions specifically related to the problems you will be facing with this position. Again, the more you prepare, the more you will present yourself in a confident and knowledgeable expert.

Don’t forget to complete a last minute preparation check list to help you stand out:

  • Know the names of the interviewers you will be meeting
  • Know where you’ll be going, double check directions
  • Err on the side of traditional and conservative when you dress for the interview
  • Bring a portfolio with your career documents and any other relevant information
  • Wash you vehicle before you drive to the interview; you never know who you’ll meet in the parking lot.

In order to succeed at anything you must practice in order to learn to do it well. Interviews are no different. Preparing information and practicing verbalizing your achievements and unique value will help you to be more confident and will demonstrate to the decision makers that you truly are the “right fit” for the job.

 

Filed Under: Interview Prep, Job Search Tagged With: , , ,

Corporate Culture and Employee Engagement: How Important is it to You?

July 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In the July/August issue of Inc. Magazine, survey results showed that 18% of 2012 graduates said their top priority when looking for a job, ‘is the company culture and perks’. While this certainly is not the majority of graduates, it does seem to be a growing sentiment.

Throughout most 2012, the overwhelming majority of my professional and executive clients talked with me about the importance of finding work in a company that has a caring, positive culture. One that works proactively to engage employees, making them feel a part of a team and more fulfilled while utilizing their strengths and values to accomplish corporate goals.

Over the last few years, companies have struggled to stay profitable and in many cases to stay afloat, while managing a reduced workforce. For the employees that remained employed during that time struggled physically and emotionally as they tried to meet the additional demands this placed on them.

Most felt they didn’t have control or a choice in the matter since leaving the job left a big uncertainty of how long they would remain unemployed. Many also felt guilty that they weren’t as grateful as they thought they should be, because they still had a job and a paycheck when many of their colleagues, friends and family had lost theirs.

As the economy continues to slowly recover, some employees feel they are now able to begin looking for new opportunities or possibly a transition into a new field or professional role. For these employees, it is very important that if a change in companies is going to be made, it must be to a company willing to invest as much in to their employees as the employees give to the companies. The employees want to feel valued and involved instead of simply working unappreciated for a company.

So, my questions for you are…

What is most important to you when looking for a new company to call home?

How important is the culture of the company?

In your last job search what was the top criteria used to find your job? Has it changed?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

Shine On job seekers!

 

Filed Under: Career Change, Job Search, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Job Search: Is it Time to Revitalize Yours?

April 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By now most of us have heard the definition of insanity as defined by Albert Einstein which states, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. Does that sound familiar to you? Have you been doing the same things in your job search? What results have you seen? Is it different outcomes or are you getting the same results? I’m not surprised! So, have you given any thought as to what you can do differently to change things up and re-energize your search?

Take a look at your current job search strategies, or the lack of strategies, and review the results. Try writing out a list of what you have been doing, the results, and the pros and cons of continuing on with the same strategies. If you are getting positive results, keep doing what you’re doing. If the “con” side of your list is longer than the “pros” and you aren’t seeing many positive results, it might be time to make some changes.

If you have been sitting in front of your computer hour after hour combing through new jobs on Monster and Career Builder and sending out your resume to new positions but never hearing anything, try following up on what is happening with the position. Not all company names are available, but for those that are it would be helpful to see what is going on with the position.

Contact the HR department for the company or do a little digging to uncover the name of the department head of the position you applied for and send an email or give them a call. This can do a couple of things for you. It can give you peace of mind in knowing the company actually received your resume and it can help you find out where they are in the hiring process. By contacting the company it reinforces your interest in the position and company, and it can help you get noticed if they haven’t yet made a decision. If the position was filled, a conversation with someone from the company might help you gain insight as to why you weren’t chosen.

What other changes can you make to your job search plan to reenergize and ramp up your motivation? How are your networking efforts going? Is building your contact list a priority? Or even a thought? If not, try stepping out and attending local networking events or local chapter events for industry associations. Getting involved in your industry and community is a great way to get the word out about your current career goals, to hear of new opportunities, and to learn about the decision makers in your field.

There is also networking going on all over the web. Make sure your profiles are updated and you are using your social media connections to learn about new opportunities or get 1st hand introductions to the movers and shakers in your target companies. Work to get involved in forums, e-lists, and online groups that are specific to your area of expertise, and start building those connections. It might be time consuming and feel a little awkward at first, but it works!

Even if you have lost your job and are embarrassed to tell people about your current situation – do it anyway! You don’t have to ask for a job, but by making them aware of what you are looking; they can keep their ears open for opportunities. Try something new today in your job search. It doesn’t have to be a big move; any move in the right direction is action worth taking!

Shine On Jobseekers!!

Filed Under: Career Mgt., Job Search, Networking Tagged With: , , ,
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