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This Is How Much Time You Should Really Be Spending On Your Job Search

27-11-2013-00-Jim-Valvano-Inspiring-Quotes[1]Finding a job can be a real beast! If you’re a new grad, recently unemployed, dying to get out of your current position or debating the merits of moving on, how much time should you realistically be spending on the search?

As someone who just went through this process post-grad school, I can confirm what you already know: No matter what situation you’re in, looking for a new job is completely exhausting. From figuring out what types of roles you want to apply for to coming up with a good way to structure your resume to finding postings that look like a good fit and writing tailored cover letters, the process can be intensely challenging.

Personally, I also found the whole thing to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster—in any given day, I’d be stressed as I waited to hear back from a recruiter, then excited if and when I got an interview, and then invariably bummed when an opportunity I’d grown excited about didn’t work out.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how many hours per week you should devote to the job search, because your individual circumstances and the urgency of your search are factors. However, in order to help you prepare for what you’re about to embark on, below I outline four common job-searcher scenarios with concrete guidelines for how much time you should expect to block off for each situation.

 

  1. Last Semester Of College: 10 To 20 Hours Per Week

Early on in your last semester is when you need to really start figuring out what you what to do next. You can start by reaching out for informational interviews and exploring various career paths. Then, as graduation approaches and more jobs start popping up you, you should transition your research hours into time spent actually applying for roles. While a small percentage of big companies (e.g., consulting firms, investment banks) sometimes recruit on campus in the fall semester, most openings won’t start popping up until the end of the semester, be that winter or spring.  As you approach crunch time, I’d recommend thinking about your job search as a part-time job, and start setting aside 10 to 20 hours per week whenever possible. Kick-starting the process by meeting with your school’s career office, setting up informational interviews and zeroing in on a list of companies you’re interested in will definitely keep you busy. And once you start getting (and nailing) interviews, things will ramp up further.

 

  1. Recently Unemployed: 30 To 40 Hours Per Week

If you’re recently unemployed and are looking for stable, long-term employment, then your best bet is to treat your career search as though it’s your full-time job, even if you take on a bridge job or side gig to get by. This means budgeting at least 30 hours a week to finding relevant postings, setting up networking meetings, tailoring your cover letter (and resume) and submitting applications. I know the process can sound intimidating, but look on the bright side: It’s amazing that you have large chunks of time to devote to the search.  When I was looking for employment full-time, I found it really helpful to plan out the hours I was going to “work” and the location where I was going to tackle said work. For example, I’d map out a schedule similar to this one: Tomorrow I will go to the library from 10 AM to 1:30 PM, and then I’ll go home for a lunch break. After that, I’ll work from a coffee shop from 2 to 6 PM. Purposeful planning like this helped hold me accountable. It also really decreased my stress level—I knew I was putting in the time needed to land a job, so I didn’t feel guilty hanging out with friends at night or doing something fun on the weekend.

 

  1. Miserable In Your Current Role Or Company: 8 To 10 Hours Per Week

Do you hate your job and wish you could leave ASAP? Although it’s a crummy situation to be in, there is a silver lining: If you’re miserable in your current position, you’ll be pretty motivated to spend time on a job search. It can be hard to explore a better, more suitable opportunity while you’re also working, but if you set clear goals for yourself and carve out specific time to devote to the hunt, you can fit it all in—and not risk losing the job you have before you’re adequately prepared.  If it’s unrealistic for you to accomplish a significant amount of job searching during the week, I recommend setting aside at least five to six hours on a Saturday or Sunday, when you can give the process the attention it needs. I find the flow and focus that results from utilizing a bigger chunk of time is far more beneficial than doing things on-and-off over the course of a couple days. During the work week, plan on devoting 30 minutes here or there to respond to job-search emails, to follow up with recruiters and to grab coffee with a networking contact.

 

  1. Considering A Career Transition: 7 To 8 Hours Per Week Exploring a new career path is exciting and, if you are serious about making a career transition, your job search may look a little different from past searches. Networking will be a very important part of the process, as will learning new skills and determining the necessary qualifications involved in making the switch.  You should be able to get things moving if you devote a few (think seven to eight) hours a week exploring different sectors and positions. Likely, you’ll be spending your time setting up informational coffees, researching what it would look like to work in a different role and educating yourself on a new field. Try to give yourself a set of concrete goals to accomplish each week, such as sending out 10 networking emails or reading six articles about companies that you’re interested in exploring. If you want to build a new skill, such as coding, you can also take a class to really help you focus. This will be a bigger time commitment (likely an additional five to eight hours each week), but it will allow you to build a concrete skill that may really help you make your next transition.  I know it can be completely energy-zapping looking for a new job, no matter what your situation, but hopefully these guidelines will help you get started!  Happy hunting.
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You’re Fired: Tips To Get Back On Their Feet

e036361d5fffaf0d3a7e615af321e0f2[1]It may seem cute when Donald Trump says, “You’re Fired” on his reality television show; however, when it happens to you in real life, it’s not so cute. The truth is that most people have experienced this trauma. I say trauma, because it is.

We all derive much of our identity from the work we do; not to mention, our livelihood. We want that part of our lives to have meaning and we place lots of effort into career success. Getting fired is a failure, even if you hated the job. If you’ve been fired recently, you may have not even told your friends or your family yet. Your family probably counts on you monetarily, which is another let down.

 

You also try to tell yourself that incompetence and performance problems are not the primary reasons people are let go. The usual causes range from staff reductions, mergers and changes in corporate direction. Yet, “failure” is the ringing mantra that plays in your head and wakes you up in a cold sweat at 3:00 AM. I’m not saying that you could not have brought this on yourself. You understand that you should be fired if there were clashes with the boss, disagreements over politics or values, or insubordination such as slacking off, coming in late, and leaving early.

The higher you are on the corporate food chain, the greater the public humiliation and shame.  Psychology Today points out that “…wealth and status have always been symbols of power…Many people view their career as a critical component of their self-concept and identity…” CareerCast.com sums this phenomena up pretty well, “Whatever the reason, however, getting fired can be one of life’s most stressful experiences…The first reactions to being fired are usually anger and pain, followed by feelings of confusion and disillusionment…For some, the shock of being let go produces a psychological numbness.” Nevertheless, even if you feel like a zombie, you are going to have to muster up enough energy and enthusiasm to begin your job search.

Put On Your Public Happy Face, But Come Clean With Yourself:

These may seem like obvious tips, but they need close attention. There are things you should never do when you get fired. Don’t “lose it” by yelling and screaming things that you wish you hadn’t. Burning bridges is a, “No, No.” Get out to the street or get home and let your head blow off! Also, don’t tell your former associates that you intend to “Sue the pants off of them.” (Even if you do.)

Furthermore, don’t lie about what happened when on your future job interviews. Give a real reason, such as, “The Company was under economic pressure to cut back,” or “The Company had changed direction and my skills were no longer applicable.”

You want to make sure that you get recommendations from past employers. I know it is not something that you can think of as the axe is falling. But in a day or so, when the tears have dried, reach out and send an email that explains that it is unfortunate that things have not worked out, but that you would value a reference letter in order for you to seek other opportunities.

Your first step, after you have expressed your emotions privately to your loved ones and professional counselors, is to have a frank conversation with yourself. Why did you get fired? Don’t be defensive. What behaviors that you own can be changed? Be honest with yourself, or you will just carry these traits with you to the next job and probably experience the same outcome.

Severance Agreement:

Don’t sign one right away. You may be leaving money on the table, not to mention any other legal claims that may have arisen due to your employment. I know this will not be a cash-rich time for you, but this is the time to seek legal advice. Just talk quickly to lower the hours you might rack up with an attorney.

File For Unemployment:

In most cases, fired people are entitled to unemployment insurance. If you are fired for cause or misconduct, you will probably not qualify. It also takes time for the benefits to start, so get on this as soon as possible.

It’s A Great Time To Make All Of Those Doctor’s Appointments You Had No Time For:

You will probably still have your employer’s health insurance for a period of time before you have to start paying, so get to it. You will have the option legally to extend your coverage through COBRA, a federal program.

Dust Off The Resume And Think About What You Really Want To Do:

Really polish the resume and cover letter to make them hum. You may have several different jobs you are pursuing. Personalize each cover letter to show that you have researched the company you’re seeking to work for in order for them to easily match their need with your talents and experience.

Get Your Financial House In Order:

Know how long you have to live until you hit the financial wall. Be honest with your partner and with the kids. Life happens and this was not planned.   Explain that you are a family and it’s time for you all to cut back and get through this tough time. Reassure the kids that you love them and that they are not being punished. You are trying as hard as you can.

There is life after being fired…I promise.

Neale Godfrey-contributor

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How Much Is Your Resume Worth?

RcGyXzK5i[1]A well organized, easy to read, and error free resume is your gateway into getting the interview.

Have you ever considered how much your resume is worth?  Put an actual dollar value on it?  I sometimes ask people seeking resume help how much they think their two-page resume is worth (hopefully their resume is only two pages and not the 10+ I’ve seen).  I get answers from five cents to “a lot,” but the right answer is: it depends on how much I make.  If I earn $100,000 every year for the next ten years, these two pages are worth $1,000,000 dollars to me.  Think about that for a second.  The resume I thought of as a burden to create and update, which I worked on while watching The Big Bang Theory or Game of Thrones, is possibly worth $1mm or more to me.  What other documents have you recently created worth $1mm+ to you?

While your resume is far from the only factor in getting a job, it is your gateway into getting the interview.  When you first meet someone and shake their hand, you make a snap judgment about that person.  A strong handshake might indicate a smart and put together individual or a weak handshake might indicate a timid and unmotivated individual.  The interviewer sub-consciously continues to reinforce that initial judgment throughout the discussion.  For example,

“Do you know Java?” the interviewer asks.

You reply, “No, but I read a lot and can quickly learn.”

If the interviewer snap-judged that they don’t like you, they subconsciously think, “Hmm, doesn’t seem to have the right skills.  No hire.”  If the interviewer snap-judged that they like you, they subconsciously think, “Wow, seems to have a real can-do attitude and has great potential.  Hire!”  The very first snap judgment a hiring manager makes about you is based on your resume.

A well organized, easy to read, and error free resume indicates an intelligent and well-organized individual.  A sloppy, dense, or error-filled resume indicates a lazy and “lacks attention to detail” individual.

That is why we said, let’s build something that helps people build the best resume possible, create a great first impression, and get them the right job.  This one of the most important reasons for having your resume reviewed or done by a professional resume writer, to guarantee your resume is on point.

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What To Do When Your Career Isn’t Panning Out

 

career-options[1]Create a plan of action for when your current career just isn’t cutting it.

You’ve chosen your career path.  You’ve been networking, attending interviews, and may have even landed a position.  You can have a career in your industry and still believe that it isn’t working for you.  There are a variety of reasons to decide that your career path isn’t working out.  The very first thing you need to decide is why it isn’t working.  From there you can decide on the best course of action, whether that be to stick to the path you are currently on or to try to switch to another career.

There’s no growth opportunities at your current position.

You may feel like your career isn’t working out because there is no opportunity for advancement.  You may have been working at this job for several years and have not been promoted, received a raise, etc.  You need to find out if this is a common trend for the entire industry or just your current positon.  If it’s the latter, then it’s time to find a new job.  Start putting out applications for new positions, continue networking, and prepare for interviews.  If you know now that your current employer is a dead-end, then get out.

You can’t find a job.

You’ve finished school, gotten a degree, and have continued getting as much training as possible.  But when it comes to finding a job, you are out of luck.  This is the time to look at the statistics for the industry you’re trying to break into.  Are there many job openings at the moment? What qualifications do you need to land a job?  It could be that you don’t have what employers are looking for.  A good way to continue to gain experience is by volunteering at relevant positions.  If you’re trying to break into a dying industry and simply can’t find open positions, then it may be time to switch career paths.

You feel unfulfilled.

Many people simply fall into a career path.  Maybe you were offered a job and just never left.  You followed a family member in their footsteps.  Whatever the reason, you never got the chance to explore different careers to figure out what you want out of a job.  Because of this, your current career path may not feel fulfilling or enjoyable.  You can look at your current career and see if there are projects or assignments you can take on that would make the job worthwhile.  However, if you are set on wanting a different career, then look at the steps necessary to make a career change.

Your degree isn’t good enough.

Sometimes, just having a degree isn’t good enough.  Certain employers look at the type of degree you have, where you got your degree from, what your educational accomplishments were, etc.  If your degree is what is blocking you from getting into your chosen career path, then you have a few options.  Try to get some experience—the more experience you have related to the industry, the less your degree matters.  You can get more experience through volunteer work or getting an internship.  You can try to pad your degree with added qualifications.  Take certification programs, attend workshops, and go to seminars.  If you really think your outlook is bleak, you can consider returning to school to get a more appropriate degree.

Your current field is drying up.

In today’s economy, a lot of industries are shrinking.  Business are closing, employment is being outsourced, and current employees are being laid off.  If you are one of those current employees, you may be seeing your working days at your current company coming to an end.  In this case, you have to work quickly.  You can try to move to a company that is steadier and likely to survive the shrinkage without letting go of employees.  To do this you want to start networking and attempt to make connections within that company.  If you think it would be best to remove yourself from the industry, you can try to find a career that closely relates to your current skills—one where your skills can transfer over.  This will be easier than switching to a career path that is vastly different.

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5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Resume Writer

careers-advice-puzzle-shows-employment-guidance-advising-ass-showing-assistance-[1]By Sara Sutton Fell

If Your Resume Isn’t Opening Doors, Get Some Professional Help

Is It Worth the Money?

Job searching sure is expensive. After all, it costs money to dry clean your interview suit, fill up your tank and drive to each and every job interview. And at a time when you’re counting every nickel and dime, you don’t want to spend any more cash than necessary.

But if you’ve been job searching for some time without success, it may not be what you’re saying, but how you’re coming across on paper. That’s where a resume writer comes in. Resume writers are not just professional writers, but they’re experts in making your resume stand out from the rest of the applicant pool. Here’s why you might need a resume writer, and why it’s such a good investment.

  1. You Have Issues

Maybe you left the workplace so you could raise your family, and now there’s a huge gap in your employment history. Or perhaps you’re changing career fields and don’t quite know how to revamp your resume to show off the skills you have for this new industry. While you can’t rewrite history, a professional writer will know just how to accentuate the positives on your resume, and write away any negative aspects.

Hiring a resume writer may not be an option for everyone and some people can do the job on their own. But for those who have the necessary skills but are struggling to get interviews, a professionally polished resume can be one of the best investments you make as you continue on your job search.

  1. You’re Shy

To you, a resume is a necessary evil. It’s basically a one-page depiction of all your previous accomplishments and accolades, and frankly, you’re not the bragging type.

You might need an expert to help you through the writing process if you have a hard time talking about yourself, much less writing it all down on paper. There’s no shame in getting help with this because writing about yourself is one of the toughest assignments, and you’re often your own worst critic.

A professional resume writer will know how to spotlight your most worthy accomplishments because he’s looking at them with fresh, unbiased eyes. Let him turn your resume into something that’s personable and professional.

  1. You’re Not Getting Interviews on Your Own

You know your work experience is impressive and your workplace skills are stellar. So why aren’t you getting any interviews?

The main reason could be your subpar resume. A professionally written resume can open doors for you that might lead to a great job. It’s also good to keep in mind you might even need several versions of your resume, depending on the type of job interview you have. These advanced nuances are things with which a professional resume writer can assist.

  1. You’re Stuck in the Past

When you look at your resume, you think it looks totally awesome. But when a hiring manager sees it, all he’s seeing is the year 1986.

Like music and fashion, even resumes have to be stylish so they can get more than a passing glance from a potential boss. If you’re not sure of what the current trends are, a professional resume writing service can give your resume the extra savoir-faire it deserves. From the quality of the paper it’s printed on to the template used, the writer will make sure that your resume reads—and looks—its best.

  1. U Can’t Right Good

Let’s say you’re an accountant.

Dollars and cents are your game, not words. So if you’re struggling to express your previous work experience well—and your writing confuses HR professionals like advanced math perplexes most of society—a resume writer can help. He/she can discern what needs to be on your resume (and perhaps more importantly, what doesn’t), and express it all professionally.

Getting your resume polished will get you the interview.

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10 Reasons Why You Benefit from Using a Professional Resume Writer

career-coaching-providing-direction-career-coach-certification3[1]By Peter Newfield

Although the economy is showing signs of recovering, many people are still out of work or are about to be. And as the labor market improves, large numbers of workers are again considering making a job change. So, in this highly competitive market with lots of people vying for the same opportunities, how do you get that edge over the other job seekers? How can you make sure your candidacy stands out?

Having a great presentation of your credentials is still one of the best and most effective methods, whether that presentation is a profile on a networking site, a resume, a CV, or an executive bio. Recruiters and company executives continue to look at written sources for candidate information even though the methods may have changed from just mail to mail, fax, email, and online application.

Here, then, are the top 10 reasons (and there are many more) why using a professional resume writer will be well worth the investment and will give you that competitive advantage:

  1. Looks matter: The very first impression you give may be your only one if you do not appear to meet the employer’s needs and expectations. Executive-level resumes should have a polished, professional appearance that is free of errors and clearly displays your most important and compelling information.
  2. An Objective View: Most people find it difficult, if not impossible, to take an objective look at their education and career. What to include, what to leave out, what to emphasize – all good questions. Having an experienced career professional look at your work history will enable you to trim the excess while adding in what matters most to prospective employers.
  3. Identifying Your Value: Quite often we undervalue what we have done in our jobs. We think that everyone does that – no big deal. Resume writerswill solicit the necessary details of your career in order to craft an accomplishment/outcome-based document that demonstrates your past and future value to a company.
  4. Don’t Be a Do-It-Yourselfer: Just as most of us shouldn’t be our own doctor, lawyer, plumber, or mechanic, we shouldn’t write our own job search documents. No one expects you to be an expert at something you do once every two to five years or more. There is no way for you to have the skill and knowledge to create the best job search materials. Some things are best left to professionals who do this every day.
  5. Save Yourself Time: We frequently hear from job seekers who spent weeks and even months fine tuning their resume. Instead of delaying the start of your job search AND the start of a new job, hire a pro to help you in preparing the best product in a reasonable timeframe.
  6. Have the Inside Track: Career professionals and resume writers are in the know about what recruiters and hiring authorities want in a resume. We’ve surveyed them on their preferences and pet peeves. We write resumes that are appropriate for various industries, as well as career levels.
  7. Times Change: Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean your old resume style will still work. Resume writers keep current on the state of their art through certifications, professional affiliations, and ongoing training. You’ve kept up-to-date on your industry and so have we.
  8. Save Money: Let’s face it, the job search process costs money to conduct in addition to the lost income while you are out of work or underemployed Paying a resume service may seem like more money going out the door; however, this is definitely a worthwhile investment. We hear almost daily from clients who have found jobs that were professionally and financially rewarding. If you compare the salary lost from a prolonged job search with the cost of job search documents that will expedite the process, you will find yourself financially far ahead.
  9. Partner with a Professional: All too often we are uncomfortable discussing our career concerns and uncertainties with family and friends. How fortunate to have someone who not only understands what you are going through, doesn’t judge you, and actually has very helpful advice to guide you to the next step in your professional life. That’s what you get with a resume writer.
  10. A Great Product: Let’s face it. We are very good at what we do. We know how to write, we are excellent wordsmiths, we are whizzes at word processing, and our resumes get results. This is our business, we do it extremely well, and we all have hundreds of satisfied customers to support that claim.

In summary, this is one of those times where it pays to go to an expert. As I always say: If your resume isn’t a Winner, it’s a Killer. Do it right.

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5 Excuses You are Using To Put Off Your Job Search

27-11-2013-00-Jim-Valvano-Inspiring-Quotes[1]Stop making excuses, and start being proactive with your job search.

Your job search is starting to lag.  Why?  You could have a million excuses, each as good as the last, but the truth is, you have to overcome challenges to find the job that is right for you.  If you’ve been using one of the excuses below, you may want to cross it off your list.

  1. No one is hiring.

This is simply not true.  There is never a time when no one is hiring.  There will be times of the year when the process slows down, the industry is in a funk, or not many companies are looking to take in new people.  While this makes the process harder overall, saying that no one is hiring is just an excuse.  If it seems like no one is hiring at the moment, there are still things you can do to enhance your job search besides applying for jobs.  You can use that newfound free time, that you would have spent going to interviews, to make sure your online profiles are in tip top shape.  Contribute more to online groups and attend networking events.  Get your name out there.

  1. Now isn’t the right time.

You may feel like you just don’t have time to search for a job at the moment.  You may be trying to get through your days at a current job that is unfulfilling and stressful, leaving you drained when you return home at the end of the day.  Maybe your child is sick, and you are going to doctor’s appointments.  Your parents are visiting from out of town, and you have to clean the house and entertain them.  These are all excuses.  Budgeting your time is one of the best things you can do in the job process.  If you are currently working, force yourself to use one hour after work towards looking for a new job.  If you aren’t currently working, then searching for another position should be your full-time job. Put in a good six to eight hours a day on this new job.

  1. I don’t know where to start.

Looking for a job can be overwhelming, it’s true.  You may feel like there is simply too much to do, and you don’t know how to tackle it all.  But the truth of the matter is that there are plenty of resources available that break down the job search process step by step, showing you what needs to be done and how you can do it.  This can help you to also gain knowledge about the different ways to go about finding a job—there’s more than just one method.  You can learn about networking and try to find a job through a personal connection.  You can scope out local ads and show up to businesses in person to express interest.  You can submit your application directly to a company.  You will get farther with any method you choose than with doing nothing at all.

  1. Things will get better.

When you are stuck in a plateau during the job search, there are two lines of thinking that you could subscribe to.  The first is a “why bother” type of thinking, where you believe a good job will never come around, so you make excuses to give up.  The second is a willful ignorance that even though you aren’t doing anything, something will come around eventually.  If you’re just waiting around, hoping a recruiter will stumble upon your LinkedIn profile, you are probably in for a long wait.  The best approach to the job search is not apathy, it’s persistence.  You are much more likely to receive a job offer if you are constantly updating your online profiles, going to industry events and networking, and sending in resumes to relevant positions.

  1. I never hear back.

It can be tough when you are sending out resumes or going to interviews, and never hearing back.  This could mean that you aren’t qualified for the positions you are applying for, they found someone with more experience or better qualifications, or you are going wrong somewhere in the job process.  Take this opportunity to switch things up.  Maybe change your resume.  Create a different cover letter.  Update your online profiles.  See if these changes reflect in feedback when applying to jobs.  It could be as simple a solution as writing a more compelling cover letter.

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10 REASONS WHY YOU NEED A CAREER COACH

career-coaching-providing-direction-career-coach-certification3[1]Many people are fearful of asking for help with their job search or career change. We think that’s crazy – just straight up nonsense. Would you perform surgery on yourself if you needed it, or pull your own tooth out?

Here are the top 10 reasons you need a career coach in 2016…

  1. You could see a 3X return on your investment.

According to a survey in this article, wellness programs have been shown to provide approximately a 300% return on investment (ROI). In other words, companies who spend $1 in a wellness program earn $3 as a result of decreased turnover, fewer sick days, reduced health insurance costs, etc. – it’s no wonder wellness programs have experienced such tremendous growth — it makes financial sense.

  1. Your relationships will improve.

Another study shows professional coaching has even greater impact on things like relationships and teamwork. The study says recipients of coaching saw a 77% improvement in relationships, 67% improvement in teamwork, 61% improvement in job satisfaction and 48% improvement in quality.

  1. You’ll have more positivity in your life.

Career coaches are trained to focus on positive outcomes and to be a source of motivation. They tailor their efforts to help you find greater satisfaction. Since no two people are the same, having a career coach ensures you are getting assistance that speaks to your wants and needs – not someone else’s.

More importantly, it’s been proven the best way to get what you want is to surround yourself with positive people. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case with family and friends. So, hiring a career coach ensures you’ve got at least one positive influence in your life!

  1. You’ll be following in the footsteps of star performers.

One outdated stigma is career coaching is for people who are under-performing or troubled.

On the contrary!

Most smart folks who seek out career coaching do so because they want to be high performers and feel satisfied with their efforts. In the article above, according to Paul Michelman, editor of  Harvard Business School’s Management Update , “Whereas coaching was once viewed by many as a tool to help correct underperformance, today it is becoming much more widely used in supporting top producers. In fact, in a 2004 survey by Right Management Consultants, 86% of companies said they used coaching to sharpen the skills of individuals who have been identified as future organizational leaders.”

So, by choosing to invest in coaching, you are saying to the world you believe in yourself and your ability to be a star performer!

  1. It doesn’t take up a lot of time.

Many people assume coaching is like working out, you need to do it daily to see any results.

Not true!

Good coaches understand you need to work professional development into your schedule. Moreover, studies show just a few hours/month can have a huge impact. The article above states best practices in coaching call for between two and four sessions per month that last at least 20 minutes and up to 60 minutes.

A sweet spot for many coaches and clients seems to be three sessions per month for 20 to 45 minutes a session – a miniscule investment of time for the results achieved.

  1. Career coaches tell you what you NEED to hear.

While you may be friendly with your career coach, they are not your friend – they are your advocate for change. Unlike your family and friends are opinionated and bias about you and your career, a career coach will look at you objectively and strive to empower you to take the necessary actions to achieve your goal.

In short, while the people in your life tend to tell you what you want to hear, your career coach will be honest and tell you what you need to hear to make your career goals a reality.

  1. You could get your employer to pay for it.

For the longest time, companies have only paid for their executives to have career coaches – but that trend is changing.

According to the CBS MoneyWatch article, online shoe and clothing company Zappos.com, known for their outstanding commitment to creating a culture of unparalleled customer service (they even teach this through Zappo-insights), has a full-time goals coach who works with any employee – not just management – on helping them create better lives.

Now is the time to see if your company is considering budgeting for career coaching services as part of their benefits program. With all the surveys showing the positive impact it has, there’s a good chance your employer may see value in footing the bill for your career coach.

  1. They’ll help you break bad habits.

A good coach will never tell you what to do. Instead, they’ll help you identify habits that are holding you back from success. Then, they’ll coach you on the actions you should take to learn new, better ways to accomplish your goals.

In short, coaches teach you how to remove roadblocks to success on your own – ensuring you can do this for yourself both now and in the future.

  1. It shows you think like an executive.

The article above indicates some executives will pay as much as $3,500/hour for a particular coach.

Yikes!

That’s too rich for our blood, but it goes on to say most personal coaches charge a monthly retainer between $500 to $2,000 a month.

What this means is either there are a lot of really silly executives wasting their money on coaching each month or they are getting results that makes them feel it’s worth the investment.

  1. You deserve better in your career.

Forget the economy for a second and just ask yourself, “Do you deserve better?” If the voice in your head says, “Yes!” then you need to take action.

Let’s face it: If you could have found greater career satisfaction on your own, you would have by now. So, why not give yourself some well-deserved support that will help you get what you want and deserve in 2016.

We spend a third of our lives at our jobs – isn’t it time you felt good about your career?

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5 Reasons A Career Coach Is Well Worth The Splurge

career-coaching[1]I once was a single mom, one day, in the midst of a rather stressful economic stretch, a giant rainstorm came. In no time at all, it was raining in my dining room.  As one who has long been a resourceful, scrappy do-it-yourselfer, I recall having a moment of temporary insanity during which I pondered ways I could remedy this most unfortunate, highly overwhelming situation myself. I thought, “I can figure this out! I can do this myself!”

But the reality was (and still is), I don’t know the first thing about roof repair and I completely hate heights. So, after much sighing, I counted up my pennies, called around for a referral and found the best roof guy I could possibly afford.

My problem was fixed, in a very short period of time. In spite of my limited funds, I’d recognized that this was no time to half-ass my way through the project on my own; it was time to bring in the pros.

So how about when you’re looking for a new job? When is it time to ditch your DIY plans and bring in the big guns? When is it time to hire a career coach?

Here are five such instances:

  1. You’re Flat-Out Stuck

The easiest thing for me to do right here would be to launch into the age-old, “What’s the definition of crazy?” speech. I’ll refrain (especially since I just admitted that I was seriously contemplating fixing my own roof).

But, for real. If you’re feeling at an impasse and totally unsure about how to get yourself out of the muck and back rolling, stop right there and bring in a professional.

What type of pro should you engage? This is an important question, because not all coaches are alike, personality-wise, process-wise or core area of focus-wise. If you’re stuck in terms of your direction, you’ll want to find a career coach who specializes in the exploratory work that would precede the actual job search. I call these the “What Color Is My Rainbow?” coaches. Often, this person will have you take some sort of talents or strengths assessment test (e.g., StrengthsFinder or Myers-Briggs) and then, together, you’ll work through the types of roles that may be most suitable and meaningful.

If you have a decent idea of what you want to do next, but simply aren’t making progress in your job search, consider someone who actually specializes in job search strategy. (Yes- that’s a thing) Coaches in this arena will typically take a look at what you’re doing (and what you’re not doing), review the “paperwork” you’re using to market yourself (resume, LinkedIn profile, you know the drill) and then help you build or fine-tune a game plan and revise your materials to line up with your desired direction.

Allowing yourself to slunk around in stuck mode for too long can be damaging to your mental and physical health, and (at worst) detrimental to your long-term career. If you can’t seem to get out of the sludge, hire someone  to help excavate you.

  1. You’ve Sent Out (Insert Big Number Here) Resumes Without Success

I once worked with a client who hired me only after applying for 429 jobs within six months. He’d received precisely three replies. That’s 2.35 jobs a day, every single day, for six months. And three replies. You can imagine his mood and level of frustration by the time he got to our doorstep.

Now, we were fortunately able to swiftly decipher what was going wrong (his resume was not aligned to his target market, and he was doing zero networking through the search process) and construct a new plan. This helped him start landing interviews within five weeks of our initial meeting.

If this sounds remotely like you, stop what you’re doing and think about enlisting a coach who understands how this works. So many job seekers don’t understand how, specifically, the process works today. They know nothing about the resume scanning software that typically reviews applications before a human ever lays eyes on it, no less how to strategize around the so-called resume black hole.

A career coach—particularly one who understands the recruitment process inside and out—can help you understand the game, and enable you to avoid the endless rounds of “apply now,” “apply now,” “apply now” that so many of us endure.

  1. You’re Attempting A Major Career Pivot

Making any sort of job transition can be challenging at best. Making a major career pivot? Lord have mercy. These sorts of moves can drive even the best of us to near lunacy.

Rather than flying by the seat of your pants through a big transition, sleuth out a coach with experience in these types of moves. You want to find someone who can help you talk through the rationale behind your desires, evaluate how realistic the move may be and then construct a strategy and (potentially) a new resume to support this new direction.

  1. Interviewing Paralyzes You

If you’re making it to the point at which potential employers are inviting you in for interviews, huge congrats. This is a big accomplishment considering how cutthroat the competition is for a lot of positions.

But what happens if, after you land these meetings, you go into crash and burn mode every time you walk through their doors? I’ll tell you what happens: You don’t land a new job. And that’s pretty much the entire purpose of this whole song and dance.

If you’re someone who goes all deer-in-the-headlights upon seeing a hiring manager in the flesh, bring in the pros, stat. Find someone who will conduct mock interviews with you, walk you through the process and help you strategize on how you’ll deal with each step and potential scenario. There’s no point in hustling your rear end off to capture an employer’s interest if you’re going to freeze the millisecond the rubber meets the road. Get help.

 

  1. You’d Rather Have A Root Canal Than Deal With Networking

This is a big one for so many people. Networking is hard for most people—so hard that plenty avoid it and, instead, stick with applying for job after job via online application.

In order to accelerate your search, you need to get comfortable with engaging your network. You need to learn how to cultivate new relationships with people working at the companies you’ve got your eye on. You’ve got to understand that most hiring managers will look at the resume of someone who has been referred long before one that comes in among the big blob of other online applicants.

And if this makes you freak right the heck out, this would be yet one more instance in which you need to hire someone who understands (and is good at) networking (and, preferably, LinkedIn). And, yes, that’s a thing too.

Look, I get it. Sometimes, you have people around you insisting that you can do all of this by yourself. A few may even imply there’s something wrong with you if you can’t pull it off on your own. And every now and then, it’s going to be your own inner critic making you feel ridiculous for needing help in the first place.

But if one of the above scenarios is yours, ignore them all. Some projects just aren’t meant to be a do-it-yourself production. Know your capabilities, know your limitations. Strategize accordingly. Hire a career coach if you think it’s the best decision for you.  And for heaven’s sake: Don’t settle for endless dinners in the rain.

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Six Steps to Job Search Success

career_picture__fiverrWe get it. It’s tough finding a job these days – and sometimes, it’s tempting to take the first offer that comes along. But guess what? With some thoughtful planning and proactive moves, you can dramatically increase your chances of landing a job that pays the bills and lets you make your mark on the world.

With input from career experts and industry professionals, we’ve developed the following six-step process designed to yield results whether you’re just starting out or looking to shift gears.

Step 1: Reflect

Ask yourself:

What causes are you passionate about?

On the flip side, issues that make you angry or upset can also offer a path to making change.

What do you value in a job?

Do you care most about salary or prestige? The ability to make an impact on a larger community? Or maybe work-life balance is most important to you.

What type of work energizes you?

Think about the activities that make you lose track of time or provide a deep sense of satisfaction. This can be a good starting point for thinking about what job function might be best-suited to you.

Additional resources

More Than Money Careers offers additional career resources on their site. Echoing Green has developed some additional questions for self-reflection, and self-assessments such as Career Leader, Strengths Finder, and MBTI can provide useful insight as well; many schools’ career centers can provide access to these resources and assistance interpreting the results.

Step 2: Explore

Here are some places to start:

  • Browse overviews of impact fields popular among Net Impact members.
  • Read about working professionalswho found their paths to impact and take advantage of their advice and tips.
  • Use social media and online tools like LinkedIn to identify people with interesting jobs and career paths.

Step 3. Target

Ultimately, you should be able to describe your target in one or two sentences with key examples. Contrary to popular belief, being flexible and open to everything is likely to decrease your chances of honing in on something great and make it difficult to make a decision. So be sure to narrow the field of possibilities and get specific about as many dimensions as possible.

  • Geography: Do you want to be in a city? If so, which city? Want an international experience? Where?
  • Issue: What problem do you want to solve? For whom? Saying “I want to help companies be more sustainable” is still too vague. Narrow it down until you can say “I want to help consumer product companies be more sustainable by improving packaging design.”
  • Industry:Is there a particular industry that intrigues you? Not sure? Go back to the Research stage. Read Net Impact’s field overviews and talk to additional people and get a sense for the flavor of their industry to see if it’s appealing.
  • Type of organization:do you get energized by start-ups and new ventures? Or are you more comfortable in a large, established company with systems and processes in place? Learn more about a variety of business models that make an impact from Inc.com.
  • Function:What kind of skill-set are you interested in building? Do you like influencing people through language? Communications may be for you. Enjoy big picture thinking? Perhaps you should seek out a strategy role.

Step 4. Engage

Put the word out to everyone you know. But go beyond your current network and talk to others working in roles aligned with your target. Don’t forget to attend relevant conferences and events, and use Twitter, LinkedIn, and other social media channels to surface relevant contacts. These people will be critical for revealing opportunities that may not be posted online. This is known by some as massive structured networking, but we think of it as simply building relationships. These relationships can help you with your search – and will remain part of your network for years to come.

Use these conversations to learn more about others’ jobs, which will help you confirm (or adjust) your target and signal that you’re interested in their field. Don’t ask for a job outright, but leave a great impression and request that they keep you in mind if any relevant opportunities come across their desk. Ask if they’d be willing to introduce you to others you might speak with as part of your learning process.

Believe it or not, you should spend about 80-90% of your time connecting to people and only 10-20% of your time applying to online job postings. Even if you find an interesting posting, see if you can also speak with someone in the company. Most positions are filled through warm contacts (as opposed to cold calls), so your chances are much better off if you have a connection within the hiring company.

Step 5. Prepare

After all your self-reflection and research, you should be well-positioned for your interviews, but there is still work to do to prepare. Before you dive into the preparation, make sure to congratulate yourself for being asked to interview! Acknowledging the small wins along the way is important to staying motivated (and remaining sane) during what can be a long process.

  • Review your self-assessmentsand make sure you can articulate how the position aligns with your interests, skills, and passions – and your personal Brand.
  • Be prepared to provide examples that establish authenticity and demonstrate you can succeed in the role.
  • If you’ve spoken with someonewho works where you’re interviewing, let them know you’re being considered for a position and ask for their advice.
  • If you’re fortunate to receive multiple offers,consider listing out the various elements that are important to you in a position and ranking each opportunity to see how each one aligns with these desired job elements.

Step 6. Perform

The best way to guarantee future job search success is to excel in your current job, but there are also some other good practices to keep in mind.

  • Update your resume regularly(at least every six months) and document your accomplishments so you can make sure to capture all that you’ve done in your job.
  • Build in time to reflecton whether your job is still satisfying to you and whether your interests, passions, and values have evolved.
  • Maintain the great network of contactsyou built through your informational interviews by connecting with them on Linkedin making sure to share relevant articles and information, or just dropping them a note to say “hi.” If you decide it’s time to move on, you won’t need to dig out the old spreadsheet and remind them who you are again.
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