Archive for career advice
Make your career path pie today!
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When I’m working with career coaching clients on their career direction, one of the analogies I like to use with them is to think of their career path as a pie. Which pieces of the pie need to be bigger than others? What’s your main gig? What is the main thing you want to be doing all day every day; the thing that would be most rewarding and fulfilling for you? That’s your biggest piece of the pie. Then there will be other things you obviously need to do at work, projects, administrative items etc. You can include those as some of the smaller pieces.
When I was talkking to my career coaching client Ben recently, I mentioned this to him to help him figure out what else he would enjoy doing at work besides problem solving through logistics. No, we can’t enjoy every single element of our work. There will always be things we dislike or prefer not to do, but if you can have most of your pie filled with what you want, you’ll be that much more satisfied. I’ll use myself as an example. I enjoy marketing, but I had a job in the past that was primarily marketing and I hated it. I want marketing to be a smaller piece of my pie, and connecting with people (like I do through coaching) to be the biggest piece. So fortunately, by owning my own business, I get to do both. When push comes to shove though, coaching needs to be my primary task.
So remember, just because you enjoy something, doesn’t mean that should be your career path. It’s a much more complicated equation. So think about what you want to be your main gig and then build the rest of the picture around that.
Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach
P.S. Find out if you are on the right track by taking our Free Ideal Career Quiz today.
Wordle your thoughts to find your ideal career
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This free, artistic application produces a very entertaining visual that can reveal interesting themes about what matters most to you in your life right now. Go to wordle.net today, put your inhibitions aside, and pour out your unique brilliance and meaningful career criteria. You may just gain clarity and insight into your next career steps. At the very least, you’ll have original art work to hang on your fridge!
Stacy Smyk-Santiago
Certified Career Coach
Let your hobbies be your hobbies
Posted by: | CommentsWatch my latest video as I discuss the question, “How do you know the difference between a hobby and your career path?” This question was asked on a recent career teleclass and brings up a great point. What is the difference between your personal interests and what you want to pursue as a career? Sometimes when you choose your hobbies as your career it can take the fun out of it. You have to be careful when making this decision. Be sure to ask yourself if it is something that you would want to do all day, every day.
Creating Your Brand with Clothes
Posted by: | CommentsI was excited to have recently been featured in this article from Kiplinger.com, 5 Ways to Dress for Success on a Budget:
http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/starting/archive/dress-for-success-on-a-budget.html. Here’s an excerpt:
For young professionals, dressing appropriately for work can be just as important as showing up at meetings on time or making project deadlines. With a professional wardrobe, you can help battle negative stereotypes associated with Generations X and Y and show the higher-ups that you’re serious about your career, says Hallie Crawford, a career coach based in Atlanta. “You want to let people know that, despite your age and lack of formal professional experience, you care about your job and take it seriously,” she says.
Check out this video I did on a similar subject from my YouTube Channel.
People’s perception of you can really have an impact on your life and career. Because of this, it is important to always try to make a good impression in the workplace. Your attire can impact other people’s perspective of you, and therefore impact your job success. When you get dressed in the morning think about how people might perceive you. Remember, how you dress is part of your brand. It sends a message about who you are. Be mindful of this and choose carefully when you buy clothes for work.
For further career advice, please contact us for a complimentary consultation today.
Hallie Crawford
Career Advice Coach
It’s time to leap out of your dead-end job!
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I was thrilled to receive this email from Callie, a career coaching client I worked with a few months ago. She has a new job! Even in this bad economy, I still hear about people and clients who are finding jobs, and getting hired. There are many success stories out there!
I had such a great experience with you, and now recommend everyone see a career coach. In fact, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I am starting a new job next week at a Wedding magazine! Writing/editing/creating story board/interacting with vendors/attending showcases and photo-shoots galore! It is a fantastic opportuinty and a BIG step in the right directions. I coudn’t be happier!
Thanks again for all of your help. I would never have been able to made the leap out of my dead-end position without your guidance and encouragement! (and you can put THAT on the website — lol)
Callie
Notice what Callie says in this letter about her dead end job. Have you ever said that to yourself about your current position? If so, that’s a big red flag that you’re career is not the right fit for you. Take some time to think about what you need to do to begin your career transition. If you’re feeling like your job is at a dead end, you need to move on, and as quickly as possible.
If you would like further help with your career transition, contact us today to set up a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Managing your career in a bad economy
Posted by: | CommentsI was interviewed on the radio recently in Atlanta, on Q100, talking about whether the economy’s getting better and how people are feeling about it. The good news is that more of my clients are scoring job interviews. In fact, two of my clients recently have secured new jobs. I’ve also noticed that despite high unemployment rates, employee confidence is coming back. I’m hearing of clients getting called by recruiters again, including one of my clients who just landed two job interviews.
We have been contacted here at HallieCrawford.com for career coaching more and more as people are becoming more optimistic about the job market.
The interesting thing is people are more focused on the long-term than they have ever been before. This is one of the positive outcomes from the bad economy. What happens is, due to the economy, people are unhappy in their career roles, which makes them on edge and jumpy.
The media messages about the economy pressures people to think about making a change. People are now thinking long-term, which is much better! They’re not just job hopping. We realize we need to think it through and do it right this time; unlike the past when we jumped from job to job. Don’t be reactive with your career. It’s about career management.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
Helpful tips to keep your career in shape
Posted by: | CommentsWith today’s economy there is no such thing as job security. We can no longer sit back and assume we are getting a paycheck. Here’s how to keep your career in tip top shape:
- Manage your career. Realize it’s your best asset and be proactive.
- Set goals for where you want to be in 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years. Create an image of where you want to be.
- Communicate with peers and supervisor regularly so you know how you’re doing. Staff evaluations shouldn’t be a surprise because you’re staying in touch with them.
- Keep up with your skills and stay competitive. You have to understand and be mindful of what your peers are doing. Know what skills they have as well and learn how to stay competitive.
- Linkedin is a great way to do this and to stay connected. You can research what peers in your industry have in terms of expertise and experience that you don’t.
- Take classes, certification programs, and learn new software. Don’t get rusty, especially with technology. Community colleges are a great resource for adult education courses.
If you would like further career help, please contact us for a complimentary consultation today.
Hallie Crawford
Career Help Coach
Career Advice: Have a balanced, optimistic attitude
Posted by: | CommentsI’m always telling my career coaching clients to have a positive attitude in their career path. That is why this article in Time Magazine caught my eye, The Science of optimism. You have to remain optimistic and look out for opportunities in order to keep your career in shape.
This is a great article that shows how being positive can help you, but sometimes it can also hinder you. I’ve experienced both sides of this equation myself. Sometimes I am too realistic or narrow-minded to be as open to possibilities as I should be. There are other times where I am much more optimistic, which causes me to be blinded by the realities I need to acknowledge.
Erring on the side of optimism does help, as long as you stay balanced.
- How positive vs. realistic do we need to be?
- How do you strike that balance in your life and career?
Let me know by submitting your comments below.
Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach
P.S. Keep your career in shape! Your career is your best asset. Check out our new online Career Center for 24/7 online and live career advice from our coaches. $1 trial for the first month: www.halliecrawford.com/products/careermembershipprogram.html
