Archive for the ‘Career’ Category

High school students need more career coaching help.

Recently, I spoke with someone who had graduated from high school about two years ago. As a career practitioner in the private sector I wondered just how much information was provided prior to graduation, that helped her plan her education or find a job. Her response: “I wasn’t prepared out of high school.”

She explained, “I didn’t get enough information on what jobs are out there. You take biology and harder courses, they gear you to take these courses which I guess can make you prepared for something? What she wasn’t prepared to answer was what to do with those courses. “What are you going to do? I never got information about the types of jobs.”

In fact, the schools set these kids up from Grade 10 onward to start picking courses for some imaginary future job. One assessment may be offered and off they go picking their course structure. I remember that same approach during my junior and high school years and that was a long time ago. With no resources, basic resume understanding and no clue as to what is happening out there in the real world (and how that relates to their abilities or interests), many young adults flounder around trying to discover what is next.

There is so much to share with them and it is in their best interest that they receive it before the stress levels get higher. In fact, this young woman spoke to that very stress in our talk. Paraphrasing her passionate response: You see others going off to school and then you see some dropping out of college because it wasn’t right for them. You see friends with jobs and others without. It is a confusing time and you put pressure on yourself to figure out what are YOU going to do.

It is time for these graduates to get more of what the general public has access to from a career consultant, counsellor or coach. When my adult students come through one to one or group sessions they come away feeling empowered, they can plan better for their future and they understand the job market in a whole new way. Self discovery, proper planning, supportive resources and better decision making are important pieces in the process. Shouldn’t our students in high school receive the same quality of information?

There are two traps kids (and parents) fall into post high school:

1. Trying to look for work without a proper understanding of how to market their skills.

2. Applying for courses or programs without proper analysis of their interest or the viability of their choice.

In both cases, the outcomes usually are that self esteem plummets because of lack of success, plus time and money is wasted. We are not teaching our children proper planning for their careers nor providing necessary life skills for a successful transition from school to the working world.

Everyone always say’s “I wish had learned this career planning when I was younger, it would have saved me a lot of time and maybe I would have got into something that I actually like to do. I say, “I wish you would have had this too, but now you know better, you can do better by finding the job or taking the course that makes sense for you.”

I’m going to be putting together graduation packages for parents to give their children. Helpful advice one on one that can make a huge difference in their career/educational planning and job search. I want to help young adults start out on the right foot upon completion of high school. If you want more information on this service email me directly.

I have often heard people describe someone as being “too proud to get help” or they say “He (or she) has a lot of pride.” The story continues about how this person came to believe they could do things on their own but then eventually found themselves running out of options. They feel stuck and the people who love them are equally feeling the pressure. Believing there is weakness in enlisting the assistance of others, this person travels in a circle hoping the scenery will change. The information they need so desperately requires them to reach out to someone with the expertise to make things a little easier but taking that step is difficult.

Pride in its truest definition would not remotely conjure up images of sadness, low self esteem or holding back on decisions. Instead, it is described as relating to self with high importance, self respect, true to position or character, pleasure and satisfaction. With that in mind, it is doesn’t matter which way you want to say it, having pride or being proud is not what is getting in the way of obtaining help or success. It is that human emotion called FEAR. I have spoke often about that emotion in the context of my work and in my personal life as I see how much it impacts us all. However, just as I speak to the issues of fear and low self esteem, I equally have to set the record straight surrounding the use of pride in the equation.

Unemployment, for example, is one of those equations. Pride should not be the excuse that we give when our inability to get what we need is based on too little information and debilitating fear. Fear takes over and then any advice or information given will most likely fall on deaf ears. As family members or friends we can find ourselves in an  enabling position, trying to break through, fill in the gaps, offering suggestions, sharing websites and talking about what Susan or Brad did to get out of their rut. Still the fear persists. Being unemployed, underemployed or just plain sick of the current job is not likely to change unless we are willing to get out of the way of ourselves and get to the root of the problem(s).

Everyone needs something or someone to help prop up the spirit, provide clarity, inject experience or perspective, to be a resource. There is no weakness in accessing that support or information; it is how the world operates. We are interdependent on each other for goods, services and companionship. We are never in a position to be the experts on everything and therefore need to build a team. We can still work individually on most life and career matters but we pull in what is necessary when the situation calls for it.

So, my advice is that we call it like it is and say it loud:

It is not pride that is holding me back it is fear! I’m scared that this is all there is. I’m scared about having to talk to people I don’t know. I’m scared about trying to write a resume and cover letter. I’m scared about the prospect of doing an interview. I’m scared about all the things I don’t know. I’m scared about repeating the same mistakes and getting into a job I will hate. I’m scared that I’m too old and nobody will want to hire me. I’m scared I have no value after all this time away from work. I’m scared of going back to school. I’m scared…. and…. I’m tired.

Now, my friend, it is time to ask for help because you have nothing to lose by doing so. There are plenty of people out there with the expertise and know how to get you beyond all of this and back on track. Yes, you have to be selective. There a lot of people calling themselves career coaches who are missing very key areas of expertise; just because I have experienced career transitioning does not make me a career practitioner. (In a later blog I will be explaining just what you want to ask coaches before beginning that partnership) Yes, you may have to make a few calls or emails to get to the right person but in the end it is a hell of a lot better to bounce things off of someone in the day time hours than to be spending another sleepless night trapped inside your own head.

Contact a Certified Career Development Practitioner and be willing to do the work necessary to get from where you are now, to the other side… fulfilling your potential and reflecting with pride on what you have accomplished.

He was barely out of high school, she was a stay at home Mom who hadn’t worked outside of the home in more than twenty-five years, each needed a resume. The problem was they both didn’t feel that they had anything to write about. He shared “I have no work experience” and she said, “The last time I worked I was a waitress and that was a long time ago.” So begins the resume built on life experiences.

If careers are the sum total of your life experiences then the resume is just the written version of that story. However, most would agree that generating a picture of your life experiences, for a resume or cover letter, can be a daunting process. Especially, if you don’t know what to leave in or leave out or what questions to ask. However, there are great tips and tricks to flush out the information that can help you create a resume that best reflects your skills and accomplishments.

First thing you want to do is start a list that includes:

* Previous employment – No matter how far back it goes just write it down. You may or may not reference it in a resume but the skills are potentially notable and transferable.

* Volunteer experience – Paid or unpaid, all work counts.

* Recreational activities – What do you do for fun?

* Academic background – List formal education. Also, add learning that took place outside of a formal educational environment. Include: continuing education, self study, online courses, tele-seminars, company specific professional development.

* Turning points – Reflect on turning points in your life and note examples.

* Accomplishments and Goals – List past accomplishments and future goals.

Once you have finished going over your list, pass it along to someone else you trust  and see if they have anything to add. Often we forget or don’t recognize all the things we have done and having an extra set of eyes on our experience often yields more information to add to our work and skill search.

With each of the above lists you can pull out even more valuable insights. Take yourself through an experience, job or day and ask yourself:

* What did I do?

* What did I learn from that experience, course or job?

* What did I enjoy and why?

* What did I dislike and why?

* What did I accomplish and how?

* What new tools or equipment did I use?

* What positive feedback or awards did I receive from others?

Armed with all of this you can now begin the process of resume development. Of course, you may need some assistance in understanding the structure and type of resume that will work best for you but there are plenty of resources within your community and through private coaching, books and online sources. (Be aware: some sources, in particular online may be out of date or not relevant to your geographical area or field) Seeking advice is highly recommended.

For our young worker and stay at home Mom it became abundantly clear that by answering these questions there was a lot of marketable skills to promote, new references to add and an idea of where to target their resumes. The confidence they gained was evident with each new piece. They saw just how much they have contributed on a daily basis, how much value they had to offer, they could see what makes them unique. Best of all, they now had the language to describe how others may benefit from their experience.

Here is an excerpt from a card I received that was entitled “Thankful Me…”

“Thank you for a learning experience I will keep forever. You helped me change my future and I am truly grateful.” JM

I share JM’s words with you so that you see the power and hope that emerges from uncovering your experience and the connection it has to self esteem. It is hard work, I know, but the gains are immense. From a work search perspective your story is what separates you from all other applicants; there is no other like you! Knowing how to incorporate your life experience into a resume, cover letter or interview is one more tool for you to use that will make you stand out of the crowd. If you have any questions around this please feel free to email me or provide a question or comment below.

Inspired by a client, I’m prompted to address the fear associated with Cold Calling. For those that maybe haven’t heard of this term, it is used in marketing. It means that you get in touch with someone either by phone or face to face, that you don’t know, with the intention to market your product or self.

I can tell you honestly, it is my least favourite thing to do. I’m always in awe of those that have no problem promoting and marketing. What came to me in the midst of helping my client with her job search was even the words cold call holds negativity. It sounds just like it is, “Cold.” It doesn’t project that there will be a happy, positive, productive outcome from making that call. It doesn’t scream “This is going to be a healthy conversation.” Instead, cold usually conjures up rigidness, freezing, a sense of “just get me out of here so I can warm up.”

We make calls on behalf of ourselves, family and business to people we don’t know all the time. We chat with people momentarily, whom we’ve never met, to gain information or to just share an observation. However, if there is even a hint that it may be a ‘cold call’ for job search or product/service marketing, fear sets in. This fear can be really huge for some people, sweating, tenseness in the throat, butterflies in the stomach…Yuck!

Well, here are some ideas that may help us all find some success:

1. Let’s change the name – I say “Cold Calling has to go!”  Make it more personal and find something to call it that conjures up a good image.

Strategic conversation ——-An invitation to know you or your product —-A helpful connection

Something that makes you feel less cold and more optimistic. (Maybe some of you have some ideas around alternative names, feel free to add in a comment)

2. Set yourself up before making that call with exactly what you need. Have a script that you rehearse and when it feels more natural make that first call. Keep the script in front of you, it’s a place to land when and if you feel a twinge of uncomfortableness. Have a glass of water there for a dry throat and eat before you start this; empty stomach means empty brain. Get pens and paper ready just in case you receive information for follow up.

3. Pick a no distractions room for your base of operations. Surround yourself with things that make you feel comfortable in that space. Let everyone know, including the dog that you are not to be disturbed!

4. Be yourself. In all other dealings your personality shines through. Sure, there is a professional voice and a hang out with your friends voice but that professional voice is still YOU. This is a brief interaction normally between you and another person, it isn’t like you have to recite the constitution.

5. Think about times when you have enjoyed talking with others in business. Most the time I have found, as was the case with my client, that people are making those type of connections with others and not realizing the essence of what they did would have been called a cold call.

6. Set yourself a goal of how many people you will contact and when that is obtained, regardless of the outcomes, give yourself a reward! Treat yourself to something – I’m big on treats for accomplishing both the large and small things in life and career.

7. Realize the  majority of people you are calling feel the same as you do. We are human, there is nervousness and all sorts of things going on no matter what side of the desk or phone you are on. Don’t take any rejection personally. That rejection, any way you look at, was the best thing that could have happened. (Personal growth or protection of your product it is all good)

8. Keep records of your contacts. This is your business and knowing who, why and when you spoke to someone is essential. If life happens right in the middle of this new found drive to connect, you don’t want to lose track of that hard earned information.

So, let’s make a movement to change cold calling to something more user friendly. Keep in mind, if you have troubles with marketing yourself then ask for help. I, and many others, are happy to help you see the value that you bring to our communities. Ultimately, you are the expert on you and once you discover that, you will never be left out in the cold.

It seems that every time I travel or even watch a travel show on television I can’t help but wonder, what it would be like to work abroad. For me, it’s not so much the idea of ‘working’ but that I would get the opportunity to explore a country and its people for more than just the standard week or two vacation time. Of course, there is the added benefit of honing my skills, expanding my career and coming back home with a greater base from which to work from in the future.

There are two websites I found for North American readers who may be interested in finding out more about working outside your country but where ever you are the best thing to do is Google ‘working abroad.’ For Canadians, Foreign Affair and International Trade Canada has Working Abroad – Unravelling the Maze . There is downloadable information along with plenty of advice on what to consider before booking that flight to your dream work destination. The United States Government website offers a list of resources at their International Jobs – Working Overseas page.

One of the things that currently stops me from exploring this further is family commitments. I’m not sure I can be away from those I love very long. Clearly, I’m not as adventurous as I would like to think I am or maybe just to loyal to move on, just in case I’m needed. Still, the idea comes up in my mind from time to time and I go off dreaming about what it might be like to pack up and spend some months or years abroad. Living, loving, working and learning.

Have you packed up and moved somewhere else for work? How was it?

or

Have you always wanted to work in another country? and What is preventing you from acting on that desire?

I want to feel fulfilled at the end of the day. I want to feel what I do matters. I want to feel like I’m living up to my potential. I want to make a difference.

All of these statements, and more, represent what I have heard from others and have even uttered myself. They are at the core of our reasons for working but how we get to them is often the challenge. What we should know, going in, is that we don’t work solely for money. If it was about money the Oprah Winfrey’s and Donald Trumps of the world could have quit a long time ago. However, there was a time perhaps when money was a strong motivator.

Remember that first JOB you received? That was most likely born out of a need for pocket money or to keep a roof over your head. I remember my first “real” job as a retail sales clerk, I needed it! I had left home and survival was my only true reason for dropping off resumes. Soon into my job, I quickly realized there is more to this than just a paycheque. At the end of the day I went home going over my experience and realized “Hey! I like this” or “Hey, I don’t like that.” I became aware that I had ethics…I didn’t know the definition of the word so much but I knew the feeling and I had preferences that made me strong in certain areas of my work. It was important to me that what I did mattered and that I was authentic in my dealings with people.

There are so many examples of how we go from the “job” to developing  our careers; shaped in profound ways. The definition of ourselves and those around us expands expediently through the career, which as I have mentioned before is the sum total of all your life experiences. How magnificent that you, unique in all the world, gets to contribute your talents to the betterment of our communities. Whether paid or unpaid, it does not matter, as you are welcome to make a difference. Having said that, “making a difference” should not be something you painfully strive for. I see and hear about so many people tortured by the question “How can I make a difference?” You already are! You are here. That may seem so insignificant from your perspective but not from those who have come in contact with you, been loved by you, been nurtured by your spirit.

To feel fulfilled at the end of any day is to look for one thing you learned that you didn’t know yesterday. It can be about yourself, someone else or the world. In taking in that piece of information you may well be enhancing your career, let alone your personal life. How many times have you used something you have learned personally and applied it to a professional situation. In that moment, in the success of that one moment, you have fulfilled something you were meant to do. Things don’t have to be grandiose in order to be impressive; simplicity fits wonderfully in our space.

To live up to your potential, I believe, you must be truly open to possibilities; not strangling its energy in ‘should be’s’ nor marring it in unrealistic timelines. A while back I had a young man in my classroom that was worried that he was not living up to his ‘purpose’, he felt God had a plan and he was not hearing what that plan was. It was painful to see in his face that he believed time was ticking away and he wasn’t getting things right. He was in his early twenties. What struck me in the course of our discussion, is that while he toiled over his perceived shortfalls he was unable to devote energy to hearing the answers to his own questions. He is a brilliant, talented, intelligent young man, already doing incredible things for his family and community but that in itself was not enough.

We have all the answers we need inside ourselves. If we truly are open to the natural rhythms of our life than we can trust that we live in harmony with what is possible every day. If we listened without the noise of “yes buts” and “what ifs” our potential would not seem so dependent on outside entities. We often get in the way of ourselves, restrained by fictitious outcomes and old voices in our heads.

We live up to our potential the minute we break free from those chains and begin to open up the question “What’s next?” with the enthusiasm of a child rather than being stunned by the veracity of our experiences.

At the end of the day if you really want a fulfilling career you must be very clear about what you value. Be open to learning in all of its forms, which includes, through people you initially did not perceive were your teachers.

You must be aware of that emotional blueprint that exist within us all, which is manifested most when you are doing something you love to do. That twinge of excitement, relaxed state, pure bliss moment; times when you have dropped all guard.

Don’t look to others to validate your existence or direction because many will surely let you down. Instead, trust that you came into this world to learn your own lessons and everything that comes your way is already in service of realizing those goals.

Don’t compare yourself to others, they have very distinct paths they are to follow. If you really want to see the magnificence of living your purpose or potential look to nature.

From the mightiest tree to the smallest insect everything matters – it truly is a sacred circle.

How can I help? As an employment counsellor and consultant it pains me to see the suffering that befalls many people in the United States; in addition to our own unemployed in Canada. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics  over 13 million people in the US are unemployed; this has devastated families and communities alike.

We have all seen the reports about people who are now living in their cars, hotel rooms, shelters and on the streets. People who are desperate to find any work as well as a roof over their head. We watch as parents try to keep their kids in school and avoid any possibility of their children being taken away because they can’t provide as they once did. It is truly a helpless feeling and I often find myself trying to decide what can I do that would make a difference?

What I have decided to do is use this blog to offer free counsel to those in need:

If there is someone out there that requires help with career options,  job interview techniques, resume writing or cover letter development who resides in the United States, meets the criteria of unemployed or underemployed, who is struggling to find service in their community and has no other means of accessing these services, then contact me. We will talk and decide whether I can be of help with 3 free of charge consultations. (I  will extend this offer until March 2012)

I have been blessed to work with hundreds of people over the years and continue to believe that everyone has something unique to share that benefits our community. I also believe that it is not all about the money and I must give back whenever possible. By using our talents in the service of others without any thought of monetary compensation we give even greater meaning to our existence in the working world.

Some of you may have skills that would benefit these individuals and their families too so I encourage you to see what you might do. Maybe there is a partnership of  services we can provide. No matter what transpires here in this offer I felt compelled to throw it out there. It doesn’t hurt to extend a hand regardless of whether it is needed at this time or not. There are no guarantees either, just an offering of support when its needed most.

Please feel free to reach me either on this blog or through private email located under the Contact icon at the side of this post. Also, you can see more about my services at Jennifer Chandler Consulting.

On Facebook, Twitter, Blogs and Websites we are letting it all hang out and that’s not always a good thing. Many people who are attempting to find basic employment or running for more high level positions have found themselves scrambling to either remove or explain their actions or words. Recently, Jason Lamarche who is a Non-Partisan Association Vancouver Council hopeful found that his past caught up to him after a site he created called “Date Matrix” became newsworthy. Rating his dates, when he was in college, has made some people question his integrity. His woes are still not over as the media digs for more dirt and his current way of handling the situation is not instilling confidence.

Overly scandalous it is not at this point. Trashy, classless, demeaning and immature? You bet. Regardless of how it turns out, it is a lesson on the impact of putting yourself out there on the web. We can all be short sighted and the Internet generation, in particular, just doesn’t seem to grasp the enormity of the problem as it pertains to the personal use of social media and their ever developing careers. Whether we like it or not people pass judgement, companies try to build a team of similiar values and public office holds people to a higher standard. As we know, that doesn’t mean we are going to get people of honesty, integrity and civility but we like to keep hoping for it.

Even in my own writing I often have thought, “Can I live with this?” “Will this statement or observation be offensive and cause some backlash at a later date?” However, I’m not actively rating my ex-lovers, posting nude pictures of myself or swearing in every sentence. Anyway, my Mum would kill me! We all have to be cognisant of the fact that we are being watched, evaluated and at some point need to compete to build up the career of our dreams.

It is not in anyone’s best interest to think it doesn’t affect your chances; because it does. What separates us all is not just our credentials or our work experience. It is our personality that can put us over the winning line in a neck and neck race.  Do we have the attributes people are looking for? Employers can build upon our skills, invest in our education but they aren’t going to spend time trying to change who we are. If you don’t jive with the culture, you don’t jive.

If you are on any form of social media be aware of what you are doing and saying. You have a long life ahead and who knows what opportunities you may explore in the future. Don’t have it screwed up by a stupid, incentive act or words that come back to haunt you. Think before you Tweet. Factor in the consequences before you share on Facebook and Be careful with your Blog. None of these things should ever be the reason that you miss an opportunity to shine… for the right reasons!

In my latest column for TimeFinders Magazine I decided to speak about my own educational upgrading that has focused on the ins and outs of business marketing and development. If you are a small business owner you know that every once and awhile you need to check in to see whats working and whats not. Capturing clients with your product or service in today’s world takes a heck of a lot of work and resting back on same old marketing techniques is not the answer.

As I describe there have been some head exploding moments on my way to branding enlightenment. If you asked me to even fully describe what branding really is I would probably would defer to other experts for the answer. I am a babe in the woods whacking my way through a myriad of “must do’s” and “should haves” for clients to get to know and reach me. In between all of this learning, I’m working diligently with my clients on their own self and professional development. UGG!

There are days when I have to admit that after all these years it might be great just to work for someone else and hang up all the hats I wear in order to keep this business upwardly mobile. However, I then remember the reasons why I made the move to self employment.

* I could use a holistic approach to working with clients, not dependent on prescribed time lines; uniquely tailoring service for their needs. They become partners in a process not a numbered file.

* I love autonomy – an idea is born and I can run with it or toss it.  Also, I choose who I work with.

* It speaks to my need for self care and fits my lifestyle.

* I have the freedom to change direction at anytime.

* I’m not limited to one area and therefore continuously meet fabulous people; colleagues and clients that are inspiring on so many levels.

So, if you are like me, in business and thinking about how to freshen it up and think outside the box, maybe take that precious little moment you get to read my column and see what you think. Maybe there is something in it for you to take away and use. Of course, the next step is for me to implement what I have learned….it never ends!

KEEPING UP APPEARANCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Have you ever found yourself in what appears to be a perpetual state of learning? Continuous learning that rarely results in you hitting the bricks running with what you know.  People often say they haven’t had a chance to use their education and that might be so but most of the time it comes down to feeling confident enough to go beyond the books and actually do it!

As one brilliant client of mine pointed out it is about “going from learning mode to action.” That can be scary. I remember the first course I took in counselling, it was all great in theory but then when I was told I had to try out my skills with a person, on camera no less, I was sooo nervous. After it was all over I felt relieved. I had an opportunity to put into action what I had learned and took a giant leap toward my professional goals. You see, left to my own devices I might have talked my way out of actually working with a live body in front of me, fearing that I am simply not ready. Convincing myself that I’m not good enough or that in comparisons to others I will suck! Maybe I could embarrass myself or even worse cause this other person to be uncomfortable. Instead, I was told…It is time to launch…You are worthy now, get out and use what you have so diligently been studying.

Once you are off and running it doesn’t mean you can’t learn more. In fact, ongoing learning is essential. However, using it as a way to make yourself feel worthy among peers or to keep from actually working in your field, due to fear of success or failure, is not respecting that investment. Keep current, keep educating yourself but do it for the right reasons…most important of which is so that other people can benefit from your expertise!