The road less traveled requires some leaps and planning.

Here are 10 points to help you if you are making a career transition and are looking for encouragement and direction.

1.There is a reason why you have discomfort in your current line of work and have a desire to do something different...respect that and use it. Questioning is part of the process and so are the hurdles.

2. Remember that many people will not take the road less traveled and will continue to stick with what they know...it takes courage to move forward and do something that you feel called to do.

3.The sooner you can be involved at some level in what you want to do and build your skill level the sooner opportunities will come your way. Start somewhere soon!

4. Sometimes the passion you have will open a new door that you didn't know existed had you not originally started on your path.

5. Recruiters are in general going to see you in the field you are from...you will often need to use other job search techniques to be effective in landing.

6. Make sure all your marketing material including your resume, linkedin, 30 second commercial, transition phrase and other info supports where you want to go...not where you have been. Make it easy for someone to see you in your next role.

7. Look at ways to transition gracefully...examples would be doing consulting assignments, or having a side business while you continue to work at your current job. It could also include asking for leads from previous companies or contacts. It could also be working part-time at your old job while beginning to get your feet wet with your new endeavor.

8. Surround yourself with people who are in the field you want to be in and that can support, challenge and educate you. Who we hang out with...is who we become.

9. Having an open discussion with your family about how to make the career transition and handle the finanical aspect is critical to long term success and less misery in the future. There may be times when your dream job must be done in small bites because the timing is not quite right...but don't give up...keep working at it.

10. There is a process to career transition and once you begin to do the work, the universe will conspire to help you with serendipitous meetings and opportunities. There is no greater joy than doing the work you love and were meant to do.

Best of luck...Carpe Diem!

What should one look for when hiring a Career Coach?

 

• Coaching experience, number of individuals coached, years of experience, types of situations, why they chose to be a coach.
• Specific coach training, skills, experience, certifications, additional training and ongoing learning.
• Coaching specialties or type of clients they work with.
• General philosophy and style of coaching.
• The coach’s ability to listen to the underlying story and address in a variety of ways to meet your learning style.
• The manner is which they create a plan of action that will help you get to your desired outcome.
• Their coaching model, assessments they use and or process that will guide you through the process. Look for specific answers not vague generalities.
• Request coaching success stories, specific examples of individuals who have done well and examples of how they added value to their clients.=
• Assess their ability to listen and ask thought provoking questions that make you think and may even make you uncomfortable.
• Watch for the manner in which they hold congruency in their life. Do they walk their talk-how do they follow through, what is the “extra they provide”.
• Ask what professional resources and materials that they could include networking and research resources.
• Ask for references of other clients they worked with, listen to what others say regarding their reputation.
• Look for stylistic similarities and differences between the coach and you and how they might support your growth as an individual or the growth of your business.
• Discuss your goals for coaching within the context of the coach’s specialty or the coach’s preferred way of working with an individual or team.
• Have a personal interview with one or more coaches to determine “what feels right” in terms of the chemistry.
• Find out what how the sessions are conducted, the frequency and cost.
• Talk with the coach about what to do if you ever feel things are not going well; make some agreements up front on how to handle questions or problems.
• Remember that coaching is a partnership; so be assertive about talking with the coach about anything that is of concern at any time.

 

 

TWAS THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW

'Twas the day of the Interview, I had prepared
Though I still felt a bit nervous and slightly scared
My accomplishment statements were written with care
And I had my best suit cleaned and ready to wear

My resume had been simplified and revised
I even got rid of the typos and the lies
Key skills were highlighted to my targeted job
I done my prep and was clearly no blob

I ran out the door, and thought… I will do my best
I sprang into my car and drove toward the west
Arriving at the company’s site in a flash
Spit out my chewing gum and threw it in the trash.

The receptionist ushered me in with a smile
Do you want coffee? You’ll be here for quite a while
Actually what I really wanted was a beer
I replied no, and hoped someone would soon appear

The HR director came in, smiled and said hi
I knew in the moment I was their woman/guy
Though the many interview questions they came,
She queried and paused and even called me by name

"Tell me about yourself? What did you do? How long?
Why did you leave? What have you done since you’ve been gone?
Hmm, Who do you know? Ohh, Why should we hire you?
Now again from the top what do you want to do?

As my voice began to squeak and mouth became dry
I reinforced the real reason behind the why
I had been so successful throughout my career
It was my strengths and skills I wanted her to hear

And then, out of the blue I heard her clearly proclaim
You would be great, lets see if others think the same
My mouth fell open, and I almost shrieked with joy
Down the hallway she led me to the boss named Roy

Dressed business casual with Cole Hahn loafers on his feet,
Said he was really pleased to have the chance to meet
And that there were a “bunch of monkeys” on his back,
What could I do to get him on the success track?

His eyes, they twinkled, as I shared my plan
He nodded when I told him, I know that I can
He chuckled when I asked him for the position
After all that was my intention and mission

He told me what to expect in the salary range
The tables had turned and this was a positive change
I had researched the position and was ready
Quietly, I sat there and held his glance steady

You’re making me an offer on the job,? I asked
Then sat and played cool keeping my emotions masked
Negotiations began and I kept my wits;
We established base salary then benefits

He spoke the words I had waited so long to hear
”I’d like to offer you the job for the New Year”
I shook his hand and told him yes, said that was great
It was a great day one that would guide my fate

I left the office feeling a sense of relief
It does really work if you have the right belief
Working your strategy is what you have to do
I GOT A JOB AND MUCH SUCCESS TO ALL OF YOU!

Written by Chief Career Strategst-Heather Wieshlow 2003
www.aturningpoint.com/

New Career Coaching Club for Professionals begins Monday November 20th!

I'm proud to announce the Career Coaching Club for Professionals seeking employement!
Start your job search off right with this unique concept that blends lecture with a lab experience and is guided by professional Career Coach, Heather Wieshlow and guest instructors will work with individuals each week so that they will have tangible deliverables and will be built on accountability. This Coaching Lab is excellent for individuals that have had some job search training but need help in actually implementing the basic concepts taught. Professional environment, fun people, excellent learning all designed to help you land your next position!

4 Week Program - Mondays 8:30 – 12:30pm
Irvine, CA

For more detailed schedule and how to get started. http://careerclub.meetup.com/cities/us/ca/laguna_niguel/

A Poem for the Job Seekers Journey

In your job search there’s no need to despair

Just remember who you are and prepare

Know what you want and be willing to share

Everywhere, everywhere, I do declare

Only 8 Days before the Opportunity Green Business Conference at LA Center Studios, September 22-24, 2010

The world can no longer afford business as usual. Opportunity Green confronts this challenge and brings together the brightest innovators leading the growth of the new green economy. Forge new strategic partnerships, get the inside view on the hottest trends and technologies and find out where the jobs are beginning to sprout up. Explore the latest in sustainability strategies and best practices, and learn knowledge that will help in your job search. http://www.opportunitygreen.com/

GET 30% OFF DISCOUNT CODE:  OGL30

Key Points to Remember when you "Tell me about Yourself"

The purpose of "Tell me about Yourself" is a way for the interviewer to get to know who you are as an individual, find out what your background and areas of expertise are and if it meets their needs. It also sets the stage for the entire interview process. Much can be garnered from this powerful question including how you communicate, your level of confidence, your ability to organize information, level of honesty and trust you project, your ability to influence, whether you prepared or not, clarity on desired direction and to the more discerning eye many non-verbal factors that can be indicative of numerous other "areas of interest".
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER:
1. Should be approximately 2 minutes in length.
2. Emphasize specific work history and areas of expertise that are applicable to the position you are applying for.
3. Focus should be on your professional skills spoken from overview perspective not a chronological recap of your entire life history...example: when I was six years old I moved from Wisconsin from a dairy farm, then when I was seven...
4. Write your two minute version of your "30 Second Commercial" then practice it out loud numerous times. Do not memorize it, rather integrate it so that is flows easily, is fresh, always comes across as interesting and is spoken in a conversational tone. If it is boring and done by rote you will be bored and so will the interviewer. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to practice this out loud and receive feedback...it takes time to get it right!
5. Remember that this is just an "appetizer" and that you want to engage the interviewer in a way that creates interest and allows you to share your power stories about what you do and that showcases who you are and what you bring to the table.
6. Remember to use the accomplishments spoken in the PAR (Problem, Action, Result) format. It is nice to hear that you take the initiative, but the proof will be shown if you can share an accomplishment that proves that you take the intiative. Share percentages, numbers, dollars, time saved etc for more impact and validity.
7. Share pertinent information that is relevant to the position and the company. Everyone has numerous accomplishments but choosing the right ones for the right position allow you to be seen as the right candidate.
8. Branding is important. How do you want to be known will be reflected in your tagline as well as how you come across on a personality level and in what you say.
9. Speak to the person you are interviewing with, not at them with and remember to make a connection.
10. Be authentic, speak from your heart but organize your information with your head.

Hope this information helps all of you working on your "Tell me about Yourself"

Success tips from GoDaddy's Founder

Bob Parsons from GoDaddy offers 16 rules for success in business and life.
http://www.bobparsons.me/bp_16_rules.php

Are you in the Discovery, Design or Development Phase in your Job Search?

Everything we do in life is comprised of a series of little steps that can be observed and will generate a productive or non-productive outcome. For example, if we want to brush our teeth, we wouldn't go outside and look for our toothbrush in the garden. We wouldn't be calling our friends at midnight and asking them whether or not we should brush our teeth. To be effective we would not brush one side of our mouth, then leave the other side for the next day. (at least I hope not :>) The same principle applies to the job search process, if our activities are not streamlined with our objective we won't generate the results we want and will need to make changes that will allow us to be more effective. The first step is to know where we are at so that we know how to proceed and what we need to do. Take these quizzes to see where you are at in the job search process and then look at the resources to see how they may be able to assistance to you.

DISCOVERY PHASE

In this phase individuals find themselves in an exploratory phase of dealing with their career transition and are seeking clarity in order to decide which direction they want to go next. They are eager to find out what is important to them in their personal and professional lives. By clarifying their talents, values and mission in life they will find what they are most interested in and understand where they can find this combination in the workplace. To help you find out if you are in the Discovery Phase of your Career Transition, answer the questions in the Discovery Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Discovery Resources.


DESIGN PHASE

In this phase individuals have a fairly clear idea of who they are, the type of position they are interested in and the type of environment they are best suited for. They are seeking specific information, connections and strategic skills that they need to obtain a fulfilling career. The specific steps in this phase are Personal Preparation, Professional Preparation, Job Search, Interviewing and Offer Acceptance. This includes information on resumes, salary negotiation, social networking and much, much more. To help you find out if you are in the Design Phase of your Career Transition, answer the questions in the Design Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Design Resources.


DEVELOPMENT PHASE

In this phase individual have found employment and are seeking ways to become more productive in their work, deal with change more effectively, resolve conflicts, and increase their ability to grow in their current positions. It focuses on the areas of interpersonal skills, creativity and communication. To help you find out if you are in the Development Phase, answer the questions in the Development Phase of the Career Quiz or go to the Development Resources.

Green Education and Networking Opportunities in the Southern CA area

Looking for a job in the Green Industry? Check out these Conferences for information and networking opportunities.

Clean Technology Conference & Expo June 21-25, 2010
http://tinyurl.com/yhvwxhj
Learn about jobs, opportunities and developments in Global Sustainability. Clean Technology 2010 brings together over 5,000 technology and business leaders and experts from academia, investment, government, startups and Fortune 1,000 companies.

Opportunity Green Business Conference at LA Center Studios, September 22-24, 2010
http://www.opportunitygreen.com/
The world can no longer afford business as usual. Opportunity Green confronts this challenge and brings together the brightest innovators leading the growth of the new green economy. Forge new strategic partnerships, get the inside view on the hottest trends and technologies and find out where the jobs are beginning to sprout up. Explore the latest in sustainability strategies and best practices, and learn knowledge that will help in your job search.

The Ultimate Question...how far will $10 go...You won't believe it

Check out my day on $10!
http://tinyurl.com/yymy6sk

Have you backed-up your Linkedin Profile Recently?

To Friend or not to Friend...that is the Question

In our 24/7 high tech world we can be reached at any moment. It is not uncommon for people to take their phones on walks, to the grocery store, while dining and even to the bathroom! Yet that still is not enough we also have a plethora of social networking sites that let us update our every move and thought. Yet, the question begs to be asked...how much is too much? In a society that is known for its ability to over consume, when will we be satiated? After all there are only 24 hours a day and only so many activities can be accomplished. What do we sacrifice when we are constantly on "go mode", connecting with the masses and spending upteen hours updating our status and finding our next friend? Perhaps we can have a tendency to forget the most important relationships that are right in front of us. Like the relationship we have with ourselves, with nature and even with the people that we call our family and "real friends"

This article http://tinyurl.com/yh2f8mo offers another perspective to the current craze of social networking and is worth considering. After all if the tool begin to rule our lives instead of being an instrument that we choose to use... is that really progress? Share your thoughts....when you have time :>)

Focus and Relaxing your Brain is the Key

You heard it before...focus...and relax. Now a technology from NueroSkype actually shows you in a live lab format how you can use your brain to perform various tasks an maximize your abilities by doing just that. Even, see how your mind can actually move objects! http://tinyurl.com/y86m6ux

The technology has numerous applications, yet if we remember to focus and relax in our everyday lives...we have the ability to get the same results without the headgear. Take a moment out of your hectic day to connect with your body, take a couple deep breaths then begin the tasks that are on your action list with a clear focused brain and experience the difference.

Jacquie Mosley wins the 1st CHEER Award

Jacquie Mosley is like many other people...looking for a job. However, while many people can easily fall into a pit of dispair when unemployment confronts them, Jacquie has kept a positive sense of optomisim, utilized creative thinking and holds onto a deep sense of gratitude despite any situation she experiences. Take a look at this video and see what an amazing woman she is. http://tinyurl.com/yczrwmm and if you have a job opportunity, email her at jacquimosley@aol.com

I have awarded her the the 1st CHEER Award that honors job seekers who demonstrate the traits and characteristics of success despite obstacles. Congratulations Jacquie, I know you are destined for great things!

Pssst….Goal Setting Secrets that You Should Know About!

SECRET # 1-Believability Factor
Believe that what you are envisioning is possible and that you really do deserve it. Incongruence in this area can thwart the best-laid plans in the world. Put it to the test by imagining that you have already accomplished your goals, what are the worst-case scenarios that you can see occurring? What fears come up as you think about accomplishing your goals? Who would be disappointed or even angry if you accomplished them? What changes would you need to make in your life? What old belief systems are you holding onto that may not work to your benefit at this stage of your life? You may find that there are issues that come up and you can choose the path of awareness and push through them or involve yourself in some self discovery work on your own or with a professional. If you find that you are not actively taking action, this is an area to come back and examine.

SECRET #2-Own It
Your goals belong to you; though they may be supported by others they will ultimately be achieved by your own actions. If you are setting goals based on other people’s activities this can be loosely disguised as wanting to attempt to control others peoples actions vs your own. Change your focus and look at the areas of your life where you can make the most difference and create a personal sense of satisfaction.

SECRET #3-Paint a Picture
This secret is extremely powerful. Write your vision in sensory specific detail and in the positive, present tense. Include how it makes you feel and stretch yourself to “Dream Big”. We are constantly accessing how we feel either consciously or unconsciously in order to make decisions, purchases or take action. In the hurry, flurry of our lives it is easy to forget the very sensory nature of our beings. However, tapping into this wisdom will engage you at all levels in accomplishing your goals.
Example: I want a new car.
Revised Example: I have a sleek caramel, white jaguar with luxurious brown leather seats and a cherry burl wood grain interior that begs your fingers to glide softly across its shiny surface. I slide into the car, close the door and hear it click. I turn the key in the ignition and hear the motor spring to life and quietly purr. The sounds of my favorite Italian music come from the Bose stereo and surround me with a symphony of melody as the air conditioner sends a cool air breeze gently past my face. The smell of the new car interior wafts up to my nose and I smile glancing in the preset rear view mirror, as I watch the tan convertible top gracefully slip down into its casing before I set off for my trip up the California coast.
One way to test your vision and goals to see if they are interesting and vivid enough; is to ask yourself if you would enjoy reading your description before going to bed each night. If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track if not, then give them more “juice” so that they will appeal to all of your senses.

SECRET #4-“Recipe for Success”
Each of us has developed a very personalized “recipe” that allows us to be successful in life. For some of us we may need a tough deadline in order to actually get the work done. For others we might find that throughout our lives we were most successful when we had a significant person cheering us on from the sidelines. Still others may find that they will need to go through a period of “crazy making” before they actualize their goals. Now, you may want to change your “recipe” at some point or try something else, but in some situations it is just easier to work with what you have hardwired into your brain realizing that it’s just part of your process.

SECRET #5-Values Alignment
Base your vision on your values and not just on something that may be culturally “the right thing to do”. Understandably you will need to know what your core values are before you can check in to see if they are in alignment but be careful of contradictions. For example, if you want to make $150,000 a year to meet a core value of security that you have and believe that you will need to accomplish this by traveling 70% of the time for your job that is fine. It may be an excellent strategy, however if one of your other values is connection and you start to lose out on quality time with your family because of your time on the road you will be faced with a challenge due to conflicting values. That is not to say that you can’t meet both values with a different strategy, however, be careful of polarizing on one value and ignoring another area, sooner or later this has a tendency to catch up to you.

SECRET #6-Get S.M.A.R.T.
Use this method of clarifying your goal by checking to see if it is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Then ask yourself if it is in concert with your vision, begin setting milestones and create a concrete plan of action that works in conjunction with the other secrets.

SECRET #7-Baby Steps and Leaps of Faith
You may find that you need to start with some baby steps in order to gather some momentum in meeting your goal. At other times, though you may be afraid, your goals will require you to summon your courage, take a leap of faith and really go for it. Trust yourself, do your research and due diligence then ask for help as needed. There is no need to judge yourself in comparison to others, everyone has their own pace, all that is required is that you take consistent action toward what you want to accomplish.

SECRET #8-T.L.C.
Give your vision plenty of tender loving care, just as if you had planted a seedling and needed to nurture it carefully while it established its roots. You may even find that there are people that you don’t share your goals with for a while because they may not understand or want to support you. Instead use the energy to carefully think through what you need to do, take action and begin meeting some milestones. Sharing successes has much more power and gives you the opportunity to discern who will be the best members of your support team.

SECRET #9-Personal Support Team
Surround yourself with the support of people who care about you, support you, have expertise, will ask you the tough questions, and are invested in your best interests. Surprisingly, support may come from unlikely sources so don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. Many times by sharing your vision, others will be inspired and want to be part of it and your efforts to succeed.

SECRET #10-Celebrate the Milestones
Celebrate your short-term goals so that you have a continued feeling of success, cherish the insights of learning along your journey and acknowledge yourself for all the steps you take. It becomes easier to build your confidence when you can base your next steps on the feeling of success in achieving previous milestones.

SECRET #11-Detours are not Dead Ends
Find something to love again when you get stuck or run into obstacles. Reaching the goal may not take the most direct route, but the adventure is actually in the journey. Be patient with yourself and refocus on what you want to accomplish, and then use creative methods and persistence to continue on.

SECRET #12-Goal Wisdom
For more inspiring information and success strategies to help you set and meet your goals learn from others who have gone before you and stuck with their visions despite any challenges that they may have encountered. Often knowing that we are not the only ones that have had a vision and that we can learn new ideas and strategies to make them a successful reality, makes a world of difference in continuing on when the going gets tough. The combination of persistence, hope, belief and determination is a powerful force to be reckoned with.


Heather Wieshlow is the owner of Turning Point Coaching and Consulting and helps professionals in career transition find work that is emotionally and financially rewarding. Her interactive teaching style is demonstrated at her speaking engagements, workshops, classes and personal coaching sessions. For information on doing a complete Year in Review Process that acknowledges the wins from the past year and sets goals for the upcoming year, call 949-643-5505 or email aturningpoint@earthlink.net; www.aturningpoint.com.

Schools offering degrees and certifications in Southern, CA

Thinking about finishing a degree or getting a certification to enhance your career? Here is a comprehensive list of schools and training providers in the Southern California area.

Orange County, CA
http://tinyurl.com/yjflv4f

Los Angeles, CA http://tinyurl.com/yg9vk3q

San Diego, CA
http://tinyurl.com/yz6q2ot

Riverside, CA
http://tinyurl.com/yfb2c8p

Free Mocha at McDonolds

Get a FREE McCafe Mocha or Iced Mocha for free on Mocha Mondays at participating McDonald’s on 7/27 and 8/3 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Starbucks Free Pastry

Enjoy a free pastry on Tuesday July 21, 2009 with the purchase of a beverage. Must have this coupon.
www.starbucks.com/retail/print_free_pastry.html

Thursday July 9: Gifts of Hope, Inspiration and Vision – International Coach Federation-Orange County’s 10th Anniversary Celebration

The evening promises to entertain, inspire and motivate coaches, business and community leaders, friends and family with a powerful message of how we can each live our life in a way that makes the most significant difference. We invite you to celebrate a decade of coaching excellence and service to the community with top business and life coaches in the local area. Featured guest is award winning comedienne, actress and speaker Kathy Buckley, who is billed as “America’s First Hearing Impaired Comedienne" www.kathybuckley.com and will entertain the audience with her personalized, humorous message and share how she overcame some of the most difficult obstacles one can imagine in life, meeting them with dignity, courage, and laughter. Past ICF-OC presidents will share their insights on the importance of community, recognize the contributions to the profession of coaching and acknowledge the vision and milestones the OC chapter has achieved over the past ten years. Special vibrational music will be played by Mark Romero, www.markromeromusic.com an amazing musician and sound healer, plus we have partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank www.feedoc.org to set up a food drive to provide hope and inspiration to those who are in need during these times.
Cost: $45 Where: Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Avenue, Irvine, CA For more information, go to www.icforangecounty.org