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

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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"