Archive for Atlanta career coach
Don’t be lazy in your job search
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People often apply for jobs online because they’re trying to find an easy way out of their job search. Job seekers also post online because it can give them immediate gratification. It feels good to say, “I applied for X number of jobs today.” It makes you feel like you have accomplished something and gives an instant sense of accomplishment. What’s interesting is that statistics show that most jobs are not found or secured through online job postings. Instead they are typically found through the hidden job market, but with networking it’s harder to get that gratifying feeling instantly. Networking takes longer because you have to develop relationships and you have to spend time creating new ones, and with that comes a higher rate of return. Don’t be lazy and overlook such a crucial part of job search.
Another area where people tend to slack off is with their references. What job seekers often don’t realize is that you have to prepare your references in advance. Tell your references that they will need to say something specific depending on your potential job’s requirements. Your references need to speak to the skills that will you will be using at a specific job. If you don’t prepare for this, your references won’t be as effective.
One last job search tip is to stay focused on finding the right job for you! Look for a job where you will want to stay put and will enjoy long term. This job needs to be something that you can bring value to, as well as challenges you. Remember, you don’t want to come back to the job hunting process again in 6 months.
Need more help with your job search? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. Are you frustrated with your job search? Check out our FREE REPORT: ”Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities”.
Don’t let bad credit get in the way of your job search
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I was recently honored to be featured in this US News article, How to Convince a Prospective Employer to Overlook Poor Credit. There are many obstacles people have to overcome when applying for job search and bad credit is a common concern among job seekers. A potential employer cannot check it without your consent, but this could be seen as a red flag and decrease your chances of getting hired. You’re better off consenting to it and being honest with them. Be upfront with them and mention any possible issues and explain the situation.
Credit is a slippery slope. The reason why people have bad credit varies greatly, so part of the answer lies in why you have it. If it was because you lost your job due to downsizing and you had to live on credit for a bit while in career transition, that’s one thing. Bad money management, that’s another.
Here are some additional questions regarding bad credit:
- Does my income and net worth affect my credit score? No, it doesn’t.
- What accounts for my credit score? Most of it is your record of paying installment and revolving credit that’s on time. Also included are collection actions, civil judgments and tax liens against you or bankruptcies.
- What’s one of best ways to improve my score? Pay down your credit card debt, starting with the account that has the highest interest rate. Also, try to use no more than 10% of the credit limit on any account.
- Do early payments on credit card charges improve my score? No, there isn’t anything on your credit report that talks about when a bill was paid.
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. Get one of the most information-rich career newsletters on the web delivered straight to your email inbox! Check out our Free Newsletter to help you along your career journey today!
10 Tips to Help You Retire Without an Identity Crisis
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If you are still in the world of gainful employment, you probably think you are too busy to think about retirement – after all, it is 3-7 years out. Or, you may be thinking you can just figure it out when you retire because you will have all the time in the world then. But be careful. That thinking can get you into trouble… and unexpectedly create an identity crisis down the line!
Whether you are pushed out of your job, or leave on your own accord and on your own terms, you can feel a sense of loss. The emotional turmoil can be overwhelming and begin to chip away at your identity. So, what do you do? First, you have to work on your emotions and self worth. Then, follow these 10 tips to shift your mindset and shape what you want to do next with your life. Here are 10 tips to help you avoid this identity crisis:
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Accept that retirement is one of the biggest transitions in life.
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Take time to grieve for what has been lost and then move forward.
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Realize that you have the freedom of choice and time to do some long, overdue self reflection.
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Tap into your passions, interests, strengths and values to create an ideal encore career or life.
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View life as an opportunity.
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Appreciate that your life experiences provide more options.
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Capitalize on the skills you have learned over the last 35-40+ years and leverage them.
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Bask in the glory of your mature perspective and listen to and follow your inner voice.
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Enjoy the thrill of new horizons.
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Cry a little, laugh a lot.
Your old job is not your identity – it does not define you as a person. You are unique and have many gifts to share with the world. This time in your life is an encore performance for you. You can say to yourself, “Watch out world, here I come.”
To learn more about our encore coaching with Katie Weiser, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford and Katie Weiser
Atlanta Career Coaching
P.S. Do you want more help with your job search and networking? Check out our Free Resources Page today!
Scared in your job search?
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Happy Halloween! Are you scared in your job search? Are you ready to take the risks needed? Are you ready to overcome your individual obstacles?
I met with a former career coaching client for coffee yesterday. We worked together last year and she is now in a job she loves! She is very risk averse (she said so herself) but she didn’t let her fear stand in the way of transitioning into a smaller law firm out of her corporate in house counsel job at a large bank here in Atlanta. She said “it wasn’t as hard to let go of the paycheck as I thought”. What can you do to address the fears in your job search?
Here are some steps to help you get started:
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Identify what your fears are. Take a minute to write down the three biggest fears you have about making a career change
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Analyze these fears. Are they accurate? Realistic? Are you blowing things out of proportion? Do this three step process with each fear: Where did this fear come from? Is it true? What can you do to address it?
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Take action. Identify the steps that you can take to observe these fears, rather than be their victim. Is it an affirmation? Positive thinking? Do you need to do something specific, like take a class to address the “I don’t have experience” fear?. You need to bring the fear outside of you so that you can “see it” and do something about it. Don’t let it run the show inside of your head.
“Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of cowering before them, we should make up our minds to walk boldly through them.” ~Orison Swett Marden
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. Are you frustrated with your job search? Check out our FREE REPORT: ”Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities”.
Find a bridge job to get you to your dream job!
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I was talking with my career coaching client Scott in New York when I was reminded of the concept of finding a bridge job. A job that will get you the experience or skills you need to land your dream job long term. Not many people can just walk right into their dream job. Most of us have to have something in between to get our foot in the odor, and that’s okay. It’s part of the process and something you need to consider in order to keep you moving forward.
When you’re looking at your long-term, career path goals, remember that 9 times out of 10 people need to have 1-2 jobs to help them get that long term position. The key is to plan, set goals and stay focused on the long term vision. Set a time frame for how long that bridge job will be so that you’re clear about how long it should take you, and when it’s time to move on. This will make you feel like you’re in control and will move you forward when it’s time to leave.
I needed a bridge job when I was starting my coaching practice. It took me 2 years in a part time position to help me pay my bills while I coached on the side. After that time, when my income from career coaching matched my income from the part time job, I was ready to fly the coop! You can too, just plan for it and stay focused.
If you’d like more help with your career path, please contact us today.
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. If you would like more help with your job search and networking, be sure to check out our Free Resources Page today!
Have you narrowed down your career ideas too much?
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I recently spoke with my career coaching client, Damon. He said something to me that I often hear as a career coach and I wanted to share it with you. He said,
“Don’t just focus on 1-2 aspects of your life or what you want in a job because that was where I went off track before. I hadn’t looked at other areas of my life to help me determine the big picture of what I wanted in a career.”
You want to narrow down your career ideas to just a few in order to help you make a decision, but be careful of narrowing down too soon. If you focus too much on 1-2 things in identifying your ideal career direction, you could be narrowing your options TOO quickly and end up with something that’s not a fit.
Try to look at the big picture as well. Consider what would be fulfilling to you, in addition to what you’re good at and the salary you want to make. You also need to consider the right work environment and your personality type. When I work with clients there are actually 8 different things I have them consider on my Ideal Career Model to define their dream job. So think outside the box and look at the big picture. Once you have done that, you can narrow down your ideas from there.
If you feel like you would benefit from career coaching, please contact us today to set up a complimentary consultation!
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. If you are interested in furthering your career direction, be sure to check out these free tools, specially designed to help you on you career journey.
Check out Ted Talks to help you in the work place
Posted by: | CommentsI highly recommend Ted Talks if you have never seen it before. I loved this video in particular, and wanted to share it with you. It’s about why we have too few women leaders, but it definitely applies to men as well. “Sit at the table” is my favorite piece of advice. You have to step up, speak up and engage in the conversation at work – stay involved. This is definitely worth watching, and I hope you enjoy:
http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_sandberg_why_we_have_too_few_women_leaders.html
Please share your input with us in the comment box below.
Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach
P.S. Be sure to check out our Free Report: 4 Keys to Career Fulfillment and Effectiveness to learn the 4 critical keys to career fulfillment and effective work performance.
Chocolaty inspiration to help find your dream job
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Last night I had the opportunity to speak for Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s Waffle House Career Series. The topic was “Live and Work with Passion and Purpose“.
It was an exciting and well attended event. There was great interaction and participation. We discussed how to bring passion into both your personal life and your career. Thank you to all those who came out!
Inspiring example: A participant from last night, Michelle, said her dream job was to make chocolate. I talked to her more today, and I really believe she will make it happen. She is currently getting her MBA at Georgia Tech to learn how to run a business. She plans to open a retail or online store. She did an internship with a chocolate maker in Australia. I know she’ll make her dream a reality because she has a plan, has multiple options to make it happen in a practical way AND she has passion for it. This is something she really enjoys doing.
What’s your passion? How will you make it happen?
