Tag Archives: career

Networking For a Job, Building Network Connections Or New Business

Networking is an effective way to support your job search and career goals. To get the most out of your networking, understand your goals and create a plan to achieve them. By making a conscious decision to create and execute your networking plan you will see greater results.

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  1. First understand what results you want to get from your networking activities. Are you networking because you are in job search mode? Are you looking to build your network to expand your career horizons? Is your goal to identify strategic partners? Is your networking objective to find customers? By understanding what you want to get out of your networking activities, you can best determine where to spend your efforts.
  2. Next determine where you will find the people you want to network with. Look for professional organizations, Chamber of Commerce, community groups, trade shows and educational events which would be of interest to your ideal networking contacts. Research these opportunities to understand the attendance levels and typical attendee. Determine the cost to attend the event including any membership dues.
  3. Set a goal for the number of contacts you will meet during the event. By spending 5 to 7 minutes with each contact, you could plan to meet ten people in an hour. By the end of the event you will have a sample of the attendees. You can now determine if attending this event brought you closer to achieving your networking goals.

By creating a plan for your networking activities you will have a better chance to achieve your career and networking goals. Taking the time to plan your next networking activity may take more effort before the event though your networking results will be more rewarding.

How Can You Land a Job 15 to 46 Percent Faster?

Do you wonder how some people gain direction, focus and momentum in their job search? How do they stay so motivated? What are they doing differently than you are? According to the Wall Street Journal, those who use a career coach find their next job 15%-46% faster than those who do not. Here are five benefits you can receive by hiring a career coach.
How much transparency is too much?
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1. Perspective: At times we can get so wrapped up in our day to day activities that we lose perspective. A coach will offer an outside opinion of how the world perceives you.

2. Assessment: Part of a coach’s job is to keep current on industries and trends. They can advise you on how your current skills align with today’s job market. They will help you learn more about yourself and your passion.

3. Goal Setting: You will define both tactical and strategic goals with your coach as well as a road map to achieve these. Together you will discuss your desired career path and lay out the plans to get you to your destination.

4. Motivation: Your coach is there to motivate you and inspire you to be your best. If you are not making progress, your coach will challenge you to be more effective. You’ll get a pat on the back when you deserve it.

5. Accountability: When you meet with your coach, you will review the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. The coach will ask you about road blocks you put in your own path and work with you to remove them or detour around them.

Portfolio Careers is the New Jobs

CNN reports the traditional job and career path is going away. More and more employers will hire contract workers to fill new openings. Get ready for change.

What does this mean for employees? No paid health care, vacations or pensions.

What does this mean for employers? Ability to staff to meet demands, reduced cost of labor, organizational and management style changes.

You're So Vane
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Let me introduce you to portfolio careers. I heard this term several years ago from my friend Chris King. By portfolio, I refer to a collection of paid and unpaid activities which, as a group, make up your career.

Chris’ portfolio career includes storyteller, human development specialist, artist, storyteller, trainer, consultant, web site designer and developer, TV announcer, model, mathematician, marketing manager, newspaper editor, salesperson, waitress, writer, speaker and mother of five.

My own portfolio career includes personal development coaching, adult education, marketing plan development, professional speaker, career blogging, travel blogging and author.

How is your career portfolio evolving?

Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship Report

Mentoring is a two way relationship which can be a gift to both parties.

Merriam Webster says the root of the word mentor comes from the Greek Mentor, a friend of Odysseus entrusted with the education of Odysseus’ son Telemachus. In our business world, we refer to the dictionary’s second definition: a mentor is a trusted counselor, guide, tutor, coach.

Over my career I have been a mentor and mentee. Sometimes, both roles at the same time. Sometimes mentors were much like me and other times they had a different approach to business. Each type had its benefits.

Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship report from CyberLife Tutors

I currently mentor several people on different aspects of their career. We set goals for our relationship and work though these items at an agreed upon pace. Ready to find out more about mentoring? Check out our special report Making the Most of Your Mentoring Relationship Report.

Find Your Passion for Life

Several years ago, I was working at a large corporation and found I had lost my passion for my job. I lost my passion for the work I was doing and dreaded the 2 1/2 to 4 hours a day commute. My efforts seemed futile and felt unrewarding. I thought there must be more to my career and life.

Over the next several months my life began to change. Both Internal and external forces shifted opening doorways to a radically different career and life style for me. I said “goodbye” to 4 hour commutes and the corporate world. It was “hello” to self employment, new clients and partners.

Through this transformation, people noticed how excited and passionate I was about my work. They were excited too. I collected my thought in an essay which started the “Ignite Your Passion” book. The anthology brings together the stories of 17 people who have found their passion for their careers.
"Ignite Your Passion Kindle Your Internal Spark" now availble in paperback and Kindle

Thank You!

A big, warm THANK YOU!

Thank you to those who have referred new clients to me. My business is built on word of mouth referrals and I appreciate you. Feel free to give me a call or drop me an email if you know someone who can benefit from working with a coach.

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Who can benefit from working with me? Whose who are:

  • Enthusiastic, and not jaded
  • Accountable for your own actions
  • Ready for something new in their life
  • Need help figuring out the more authentic you
  • Want to get more out of life
  • Willing to change
  • Prepared to work and work hard to achieve your goals
  • Understand your will have homework and research to do between our sessions
  • Not looking for a magic, quick fix

Does this sound like someone you know?

Ready to learn more about about coaching? Email April or call 414.502.7745 for more information.

Make a Difference Day October 24 2009

Tomorrow is Make a Difference Day. Take this opportunity to share your talents, skills and passions with others. Feel good about yourself while making a difference in someone else’s life.

Volunteering can give you a chance to explore career options, sharpen abilities or gain new skills. Look for chances to mentor other or learned from a seasoned pro.

I work with several career centers in my area year round to provide job search advice and motivation. In return, I am rewarded with success stories from clients and even new business. It keeps me in the loop on the latest in the area.

Follow your passion. Volunteer to clean up an outdoor park. Read a story to a group of children. Put in a few hours at a non profit. As Nike says, “Just Do It”.

You can learn more about Make a Difference Day here.