This is a great article I would like to share with you. Part of the reason I like this article so much is because I can relate to it.
Read this article here: Finding Your Dream Job from the Bathroom Floor
I remember crying in mom’s kitchen and actually the bathroom at work (several times). I felt I was part of the “lost generation” in my 20’s. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and where I should go. I didn’t realize the first step I had to take; just like the lady in this article.
I needed to figure out who I was and I what I wanted in the first place. After all my crying I gained some clarity in a workshop with a career coach, and I started getting back on track. But I had to go through that whole process to get where I am today. Many things have changed since then (i.e. technology, the economy slump.) One thing that doesn’t change is the fact that you need to know yourself and know what you want before you will get anywhere.
If you are ready to gain some clarity in your career direction, check out our 5 Keys to Finding Your Ideal Career E-book.
Hallie Crawford
Career Help Coach
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
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.
It’s interesting to me how so many people set their New Year’s resolutions but fail within a few weeks (if not a few days). Why is that? I think that the problem is that most resolutions are unrealistic or general (I will lose weight, I will eat healthy, I will spend more time doing ____).
What’s your resolution? Do you see this pattern? Here’s some help…
Anytime you set goals you need to remember two things:
- Your level of commitment is crucialIf you are not ready to commit to change, whether it is a career change, losing weight, learning how to ride a horse, etc it won’t happen. You have to be committed to make it happen. Before you set your goal think about how committed you are to it. I have my career coaching clients measure their commitment to career change on a scale of 1-10. If it’s not at a 10, I ask them to think about what would make it a 10. How can they move it up the scale? You can read more about the importance of commitment here.
- Your goals must be SMART goals
Yes most of you have heard about SMART goals by now (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Results-oriented {realistic/relevant}, Timely). The problem is that most people know what SMART goals are, but not that many are successful at creating SMART goals for themselves. You need to be able to set specific steps for you to be able to reach your big goal.I find that my clients are able to reach their goals when they create weekly and monthly checklists with small action steps. This helps keep their goal top of mind with tiny baby steps to reach it.
Here’s an example – Many people say they want to lose weight in the New Year. That’s great – but how can it be a SMART Goal. My suggestion would be not to focus on the full year. Start smaller. So for example you might want to say that by April 1st you will have lost 10 pounds (specific – not just lose weight). It is a measureable, attainable, realistic, timely goal. Your baby steps in your checklist for week 1 might be to have a salad every day. Week 2 might be to add 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week.
Let us know what your New Year’s Resolution is and how you have set SMART goals for yourself in the comment box below.
Happy New Year!
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
This 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
It’s that time of year again. The time to reflect on the years past, and decide what you want your future to hold. What will your New Year’s resolution be? Start the new year off with this Goal Setting Worksheet.
When you’re setting goals (resolutions), it’s important to create a structure for doing so and to write them down. Remember it’s not real until it’s in writing! A big reason to set goals in the first place is to create the life you want right!?! At the end of your life do you want to say you tried to achieve what you want or that you didn’t try at all? A goal that’s not written down is just a wish.
If you would like some extra help in setting goals for yourself and your career direction, please contact us today for a complimentary consultation. We look forward to hearing from you - Happy New Year!
P.S. Are you in the ideal career for you? Find out if you are on the right track with this quick Ideal Career Quiz!
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
