now2planBlog

You've Earned that Degree - Now What?

It's summer and you have just graduated from college. How is that degree working for you?

Thinking about putting off life and going to graduate school? Working a (hopefully) temporary job - one that requires you to say, 'Let me tell you about tonight's specials.'? Sitting on the sofa in your parents' home watching The Price is Right?

"Why didn't I at least go to my university's Career Services office?  Wouldn't they have gotten me a job?"

"How can I get a job if I don't even know what I want to do?"

If this is your first serious job search, it may be comforting to know that the job search is a process or project with manageable and measurable steps. Like all projects, there is a beginning, middle and an end. The end of your job search project is you starting your first career-worthy position. 

Want to get started?

Stay tuned...

Find A Port in the Storm

Recently, I read an article about young adults moving home after college graduation.  One statistic says that 80% of 2009 college graduates are jobless and living with their parents!

Elina Furman, author of Boomerang Nation, suggests that these 'quarterlifers' think that 'if they can't find a job in their chosen career, they don't have to be working.' WRONG! 

Ms. Furman goes on to suggest finding a 'survival' job while searching for the ideal position.

I call this 'survival' job a port in the storm, a bridge position, a stop-gap measure.  This employment strategy applies to all job seekers - not just the boomerangers. 

I believe that it is vital to fill in the gap while in job search. I know of executives who work at big box retailers for minimum wage, high-salaried folk who volunteer for no pay, and other job seekers who take positions well below their skill level. The point is that these job seekers are taking control of their situation when they lost their job. They are "out there" doing what they can to stay sharp, be around others and fill that time gap between their last position and their future opportunity.

How will you answer the question, "what have you been doing since you left your last employer?'"

On to 2010 . . .

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

The New Year and a new decade are upon us.  As you are thinking about your year ahead, are you viewing it as an opportunity to put your words on the blank pages of 2010? What do you want January 1, 2011 to look like? 

The beginning of a new year is an opportunity to reflect and to plan steps toward your goals. Where do you want to be at the end of this new year?  Where are you now?  

A coach can work with you to personalize your goals, hold you accountable, and encourage you along the way. You do not have to try so hard by yourself. A coach will partner with you to focus solely on you and what you want to be different. The coach/client relationship is powerful and IT WORKS. You can find a credentialed coach at the International Coach Federation site.  

Happy New Year!  Happy New Opportunity!

Now is Your Time ...

The unthinkable has happened. You have been laid off by your company and find yourself in job search.  

Have you thought about all of the things that you wish that you had done when you were employed? "Why didn't I keep up with my network of friends and colleagues?  or learn basic computer skills?  or take advantage of the tuition reimbursement benefit that my company offered?"

Living in the past will not benefit you or your career.  So instead, ask yourself, "What can I do now to add to my skill set and enhance my career?"

Now is your time to:

1.  Learn or improve your computer skills.  Your local career center or library offers computer training classes. Buy or borrow one of the Dummies series of books and teach yourself a new set of skills.

2.  Go back to school. There are many programs available for adult learners and most programs have schedules that will not take away from the time you are devoting to your job search.  You may be eligible to receive funds through The Workforce Investment Act.  Learn more about WIA providers here.

3.  Volunteer.  Select an organization whose mission you believe in and give of your time and talents.

4.  Network.   Find a career support group or a class that focuses on one of your hobbies.

5.  Improve your speaking skills.  Toastmasters International says, "because communication isn't optional."  Particularly when you are in job search.

Now that it is your time, what will YOU do?

Women, the Current Economy & Stress

A recent column posted at Forbes.com looks at women and stress. The columnist, Heidi Brown, states that, "research shows more women than men are stressed about the economy."  She goes on to say that instead of jamming more into their days, women need to carve out "me" time. Lowering stress levels contributes to greater overall health whereas increased levels of stress can lead to weight gain, heart problems and dementia-like symptoms.

You are worth taking care of!  Here are some simple suggestions found in the article:

1. Learn to say "no."
2. Delegate. 
3. Schedule time for yourself. 
4. Take a 5-minute break. 
5. Go to church. 
6. Take a nightly bath. 

Plus more ideas.  

Try one or more of these tips this coming week.  Be deliberate in taking care of yourself and notice the difference in your life. 

Networking 101

"So what is networking, anyway?"

Networking is simply trading information.  A friend asks you about a restaurant in your neighborhood - "is the food good? expensive?"  

You ask your friend where they purchased their Christmas tree - "are the trees there fresh? does that lot support the Boy Scouts?"

Networking is the way to find positions that are not advertised; it's the way to make a career change; it has a 75% success rate.  It is also an active, you-in-control method to search for a job.

"I don't have a network."

Yes, you do!  You have relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors, church friends, former classmates, and hopefully a dentist and a doctor.  There are your children's friends' parents who are affiliated with their neighbors, relatives, etc.  Still not convinced?  Then join LinkedIn, Facebook or if you are near Nashville, Tennessee, attend the Monday Night Career Transition Group Meeting at Brentwood United Methodist Church.

"Okay, I have a network - so what?"

Well, what do you want to know?  Are you in a job transition?  Are you looking for a contact inside a particular company?  Do you want to know about the trends and opportunities within your profession?  What about salary information?  What about feedback on your resume or your job search strategies?  Ask, listen to your contacts' answers and GIVE BACK.  (more on "Giving Back" on the next Blog installment)

In my work with people who have lost their jobs, I often hear, "I wish that I had kept up with my network."    There are legitimate excuses - working long hours, too much trouble, don't want to be a bother...

What these folks are saying is that the small investment in time and energy through ongoing networking makes it easier to call on your network during career transition or during some other need.  An energetic friend of mine, Beth, makes a point to attend and volunteer at a lot of social gatherings, church events, and community activities.  When she suddenly found herself in need of folks who could look in on her nursing home-bound mother while she was out of town, Beth simply asked 1 person in her network for help.  That 1 person spread the news and Beth's mother had daily visitors and special treats for each of the 7 days that Beth was out of town.  Beth's giving nature and ongoing networking with people led to these acts of generosity.

What can you do today to build and nurture your network?

Blessing in Disguise

Getting laid off is unpleasant at best, frightening and immobilizing at worse.

Most who experience a layoff or firing are in a state of shock.  There are stages of grief associated with losing one's job which are (in no particular order): denial or disbelief, bargaining, anger, sadness, fear and acceptance.   I wish it were as simple as going through these stages one-by-one and getting over them in a few days.  The truth is that we cycle through these stages for weeks or even months.  Generally, the strongest emotions subside and acceptance comes when you land and are settled in a new position.

It's hard to believe but most clients with whom I have worked consider being laid off as a "blessing in disguise" or "the best thing that could have happened to me" or "a relief because I was so unhappy".   I do not hear this at the beginning but I hear these sentiments a lot as clients land new opportunities.

These are the characteristics of individuals who move through the job loss-job search process and feel blessed on the other side. These job seekers tend to:

• Give themselves the time to experience their loss.  I hear stories of folks who allow themselves 2 weeks to have a pity party, sleep and watch tv all day, eat chocolate and pizza, clean closets and visit their folks.  Once the 2 weeks are up, they get down to the business of a job search.
• Be willing to get out of the house, go to networking events and meet with people for advice and contacts.  (In Nashville, a free and wonderfully helpful networking event takes place most Monday evenings at the Brentwood United Methodist Church.   Click here for more information.)  
• Have an attitude of giving - not just taking.  People will avoid and run from you if they sense that you are a "taker" and "are in it only for yourself".  Have you noticed that your calls/emails are not being returned?  
• Allow for time and assessment of one's career goals and career fulfillment.  A career coach can help you discover your skills, strengths and interests as well as help you determine your preferred work environment. 
• Be open minded about possibilities and friends' suggestions.  Knowing that there may be options will help you feel less stuck. 

This time in your life is not fun and may go on longer than you wish.  In working with clients, I have observed that oftentimes, blessing and opportunities hide themselves in seemingly disastrous life events. 

 

What if...?

Several weeks ago, you may have allowed yourself the luxury of thinking about finding a new position.  Can't stand my boss, want more meaningful work, a better commute, higher pay. 

Now, with 401k's turning into 201k's, you have abandoned such thoughts, haven't you?  You're hoping that you can survive this economic instability (okay... mess) with your job intact.  Maybe you're telling yourself, my job isn't so bad... what was even thinking?  Leave my job and my generous/kind boss?!?

What if you get fired?  What if tomorrow you are called into HR, walk in to a room with a group of somber looking co-workers who tell you, "This isn't your fault, it's a business decision.  We're going to have to let you go."

What if they cannot pay you a severance?

An old saying states, "Hope for the best; prepare for the worst."  So how do you prepare for the worst?

1. Update your resume.  Invest your time in thinking about your accomplishments, the projects in which you participated, and your unpaid work.  The best accomplishments are ones that you can quantify.
2. Think about who you will ask to serve on your list of references.
3. Is your contact management system up-to-date?  (What is a contact management system??)  It can be as simple as a basket full of business cards (I confess - this was my 'system.') or your email address book.
4. Have you stayed in touch with friends and colleagues?  Perhaps now is a good time to reconnect - coffee before work, lunch with friends.  You will be glad that you have made the time and effort IN CASE the 'What If" happens.

What if you are stuck and can't get moving to prepare for the worst?  A good career coach can partner with you on your journey.

Hiring a Professional Resume Writer

The Wall Street Journal's Career section is a great resource for career seekers. In last Tuesday's print edition, there was a helpful article written by Joann S Lublin. In her article, Finding a Master Resume Writer, Ms Lubin states, "in today's tight market, the right resume can land you the right interviews..." She correctly suggests that job seekers who need resume writing services do the following:

• Shop carefully and ask for writing samples.
• Ask for recommendations from satisfied customers.
• Know what you are paying for. Ask for a proposal in writing and find out when you will receive your initial draft.
• Make sure your resume accurately depicts your background and accomplishments. In most cases, your deceptions will be discovered.

The purpose of your resume is to get you an interview. It also serves you when you network and interview. Want to know how? Hire and ask a reputable resume writer.

Fearing Fear Itself

It's a scary time.  I can't even watch the news.   Rising unemployment, threats of more taxes, investments and retirements disappearing, uncertain futures. 

Focusing on bad news is an exercise in futility.  I  have no control over what the market is doing, congress passing $800 trillion in bail outs, and gasoline prices.  What I can control are my reactions and my focus. 

Who is in charge of what's going on out there?  My belief is that there is a merciful God who was not surprised about the market dropping, gas prices rising or even ferocious weather.  He's still in charge; day turns to night, and seasons still change.  There - that gives me some peace.

What can I do to help someone else?  When I focus on helping those who are in need, my worries seem to diminish. 

How grateful am I for my good health?  Exercise seems to clear the mind and reduce stress.

During WWII, our President said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."  What wisdom. Fear paralyzes; fear causes us to panic; fear causes us to retreat and keeps us isolated.

Times will continue to be scary and there will always be bad news.  Can I focus outward?  Will I give the effort needed 'to convert retreat into advance'?  And not fear fear itself?