Archive for Career Transition
Keep your eye on the ball in your career
Posted by: | CommentsWatch my latest video as I expand on the advice from an article I liked on Forbes.com. In this video I discuss how your career path may not look quite like how you expected it to. People typically have pre-conceived notions about how they want things to play out or unfold. Including how they want their career to progress. Sometimes things don’t happen the way you expect them to, so you need to learn to be flexible.
Read the article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2012/01/03/finding-your-dream-job-from-the-bathroom-floor/
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Implementing micro-changes in your career strategy
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Change is scary! Many times we ask ourselves to bite off more than we can chew in terms of how much we expect to exercise, or how quickly we push ourselves to find a new job. When we fall short of our lofty expectation, we feel discouraged and set back. In career coaching I like to employ the micro-change strategy.
For example, a current client of mine is suffering considerable stress from her job and wants to make healthy changes to reduce the effects of stress and negativity. At first she suggested doing yoga each morning, but after reframing the idea in terms of a small, manageable change, she determined her micro-change would be to play a motivating song in the morning as she readies for work and then to take one deep breath just before getting into her car. While this may seem insignificant, it is an encouraging change that she can easily accomplish and see as progress.
Ultimately, these small behavioral changes help to reinforce the new positive thoughts and internal messages we are seeking to sustain so that we can break down barriers and pave the way toward career clarity.
Stacy Smyk-Santiago
Certified Career Coach
It is the season for job searching
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This article, Job Search: ‘Tis the Season… So Get Out There! is from late November, but I think it is still worth reading. I wanted to share with you this excerpt….
January and February represent the strongest hiring period of the year. New projects, initiatives, and budgets are put into place and hiring generally skyrockets at the beginning of the year. Although not every January can promise a boom in the marketplace, by actively networking and positioning yourself as a valuable and enthusiastic candidate, you’ll be well on your way to getting that all important call for an interview on January 2nd.
In my Mercer MBA workshop last week, we talked about the concept of sharpening the saw from Steven Covey. Keep your skills sharp so you remain competitive in your job search. Always be looking for a way you can stand out from your peers.
If you found this helpful, and want help taking the next step in your job search, please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
P.S. Be sure to join us for our FREE TELECLASS: How to Find Your Dream Job in 2012. Register here.
Quit planning, start talking
Posted by: | CommentsThis YouTube video is reminder of the enormous value of talking to people you know about your career. Brainstorm with others and conduct informational interviews in fields you’re interested in, even if you’re not sure they’re a fit yet. Everything you learn can bring you closer to the right career path.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Should you just take any old job?
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I was talking to a career coaching client recently whose husband works at a large rental car corporation. He has been posting for a job opening for over a month. They have received very few, if any responses to the job listing. I know that most people don’t want to take a job they don’t like or one that would lower their morale. It can be frustrating to think you have to settle with any old job, especially something that is lower paying, and feels possibly menial to you. Another thing to consider is if you start working again, you won’t qualify for unemployment.
I give my career coaching clients this advice, if taking a lower paying job is going to make you more frustrated and lose your unemployment benefits then maybe it’s not the best thing to do. Having a job, even if it’s not your dream job, can still be a good thing though. After all, it’s income, it gets you out of the house, it can boost your self esteem in many ways, and it’s a networking opportunity. So it may not be what you want to do long term, but worst case scenario you can try it out.
In this economy, to have a job opening go unfilled is very unfortunate. I encourage you to be smart and strategic about your options, but also consider things you have not considered before. Even if it means taking something just to take it for the time being. If it serves a purpose for you, so be it.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
How do you stand out in this tough job market?
Posted by: | CommentsI was honored to be featured on TV in Macon recently where I discussed the importance of Soft Skills in a tough economy. There are so many people who are unemployed, that the employers can pick whoever they want. The way you can stand out is to focus on your soft skills. What do you have to offer in this tough job market?
You can watch the news segment here: http://www.41nbc.com/blogs/coreen/8813-career-coach-urges-you-to-promote-soft-skills
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Step outside yourself
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On a recent group coaching call, two of my clients mentioned that they had just completed Taming Your Gremlin: A Surprisingly Simple Method for Getting Out of Your Own Way by Rick Carson, and got so much out of it.
I wanted to share what Beth said because it was so perfect to describe how you need to step outside ourselves sometimes in order to get beyond our fears or negative thinking. She said the book reminded her that, “You are not your negative thoughts or beliefs!” You can overcome those things in order to pursue your goals. It takes time and effort, but it can be done.
So remember, even though you might be experiencing worry, fear or anything negative due to changing careers, you can’t let it define you. There’s no need for it – You are able to step outside yourself and rise above.
Hallie Crawford
Career Transition Coach
P.S. If you’re interested in further help with your career transition, check out our FREE REPORT: Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities today.
Narrow down your options with informational interviews
Posted by: | CommentsWatch my latest video as I discuss the importance of informational interviews. One of my career coaching clients recently conducted two informational interviews and was able to determine what career path he wanted to pursue. This can be a crucial step to determining what career is a fit for you. Talk to people in the field you are interested in, because that is how you will get firsthand knowledge about what it’s like to work there.
Hallie Crawford
Career Transition Coach
