Rethink Career & Job Fairs

Have you ever attended a job fair? Whether they are organized as a Job Fair, Career Fair, Career Expo or Career Event, etc., they CAN be worth your effort. Please don't dismiss them as cattle calls. There are some excellent events out there, events that not only truly focus on providing exposure to quality employers, but also on providing on the spot career coaching. The key to participating in fairs is to identify events that will provide you will access to qualified leads with motivated employers seeking new talent. And do your homework to identify specialty events that target specific industries/markets (Bio, MBA, Healthcare, Technology, Green, etc.).

Now don't let the term fair confuse you. You won't be eating cotton candy and riding the tilt-a-whirl...although some days of a job search may feel like you're spinning in circles or on the bumper cars. Remember to dress for success, bring copies of a polished resume and references and be prepared to enthusiasticaly market your skills, strengths and achievements. And no matter how long the day is and how long the lines are, keep smiling and project a professional, winning image. An added bonus - events that are organized by top career related firms, like Women For Hire, offer you real time access to career pros offering resume critiques and interviewing tips.

Check it out: the Women For Hire Career Expo scheduled for the Atlanta market, on 03/31/09 at Cobb Galleria. And it's not just for women - men are also encouraged to attend! I hope to see you there - join me for my presentation on Career Transition Strategies.

Here are links for other quality career events for the Atlanta Market:

CareerEco's Green Career Forum 03/26/09

MetroAtlantaJobs.com Listing of Career Fairs

Still on Target: Let's ReVISIT ~ ReFOCUS on Some Excellent Advice from '08

Check out this SlideShare Presentation: Take a few minutes to review these SIX fundamental Career Lessons from Dan Pink's book, "Johnny Bunko-The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need". It's a fun approach to a serious topic. And while this will probably NOT be the last career guide you will ever need (that comment was in my Career Coach voice) I think it helps to get back to basics! Enjoy

Career Advice '08

View more presentations from garr. (tags: career advice)

Yes...You Should Have a Linkedin Account!

If you're already using Linkedin, great! Now continue to fine tune your content and expand your network. If you don't have a Linkedin account, create one TODAY! Here are some of the PROS associated with building a presence on Linkedin:

1. The basic account is free and comes with a broad scope of features (widgets) to add interesting content areas to your account.
2. Your Linkedin account can serve as your web resume, so don't pay hundreds, even thousands, of dollars to have a web resume or web portfolio created.
3. You can customize the web link (also known as a vanity URL) for your Linkedin account, such as http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnelong, and then list this URL on your resume, business card, professional networking sites. When you don't have a resume to hand out, you can refer people to your URL.
4. By growing your professional network on Linkedin, you create opportunities for future networking, the exchange of ideas with colleagues, expanding skills and knowledge, informational interviews, collecting the inside scoop on companies of interest, job prospects, etc.
5. A growing number of recruiters and executive search consultants use Linkedin as a candidate prospecting tool. A Linkedin account can put you in front of these recruiters.
6. The SimplyHired metasearch tool is embedded into your Linkedin account. So you can search job postings from multiple job boards with one click.
7. Answer questions from Linkedin users to promote your subject matter expertise, which can improve your credibility within your industry.

The CONS to a Linkedin presence may be that it will take time, effort and creativity to maintain a strong account. And don't confuse Linkedin with social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace - make sure the content on your account supports a professional image.

Create a Linkedin account right now and incorporate it into your ongoing career development strategy!

Recent News on Job Search & Career Transition

These articles have some great advice (and action steps) surrounding the JOB SEARCH process and on mapping out a CAREER TRANSITION! Check them out at:

Job Search Strategies in Volatile Times – from Job-Hunt.org

Tool up for Mid Career Job Hunt – from the Wall Street Journal Online

6 Tips on Planning a Second Career – From US News & World Report

And remember you don't have to go it alone. If you believe you would benefit from some objective feedback and targeted input available from a career professional, contact a career coach TODAY!

Embracing Positive Change for 2009

Are you looking to make some positive changes in your life for 2009? A desire for change will remain on your Wish list or your To Do list until the day that you make a commitment to yourself to take action. We often become paralyzed by the fear, uncertainty, anxiety, or self-doubt that can accompany change. Or, as a result of living in an I Want it Now society, we become impatient and frustrated if we do not see immediate results.

As a coach, I believe that it is best to approach positive change with a strong plan of attack. So let me offer 10 simple yet powerful ideas to help you create your action plan for 2009.

1. Set goals that are both realistic and achievable. Set yourself up for success. For example, start with a morning walk around your neighborhood for a week or two rather than immediately trying to jog five miles.
2. Attack one or two goals at any given time. Change can be a good thing but too much change at one time can create chaos.
3. Envision your plan as stepping stones over a stream rather than one giant leap across a river.
4. Celebrate sucess! As you reach each new step in your plan (no matter how small it may seem), MAKE the time to celebrate the effort that you put forth to get that much closer to your goal. Rather than rushing forward, STOP and savor the building blocks of success.
5. Create a support system. Surround yourself with people that will support your goals, that you find motivating and who will serve as your personal cheerleaders.
6. Surround yourself with snippets and images that represent the steps in your plan and the successful attainment of your goal. Cut out pictures and phrases from magazines, etc. You can then create a collage on a Vision Board or place items around your home and office for inspiration and encouragement. If you consistently remind yourself that success is within reach, you can capture it!
7. There will be bumps (maybe even a few pot holes) in the road as you travel your new path. DO NOT punish yourself when you experience a bad day or a setback. Assess the situation, adapt and press forward with hightened determination.
8. Ask for help. If you feel you would benefit from a mentor, a coach, a trainer, a counselor, etc., then seek out that person who can provide motivation and guidance.
9. You can't finish what you don't start. Don't allow yourself to be trapped in the planning process. Remember that you will be re-assessing and adapting your plan as you move forward.
10. Do the work and maintain accountability. Remember that this is your goal and your action plan. You can wait to stumble upon that genie in the bottle who will grant your wishes...OR you can make a committment to invest the necessary time, energy and resources to reach your goal.

The new year is a great time to embrace positive change. So focus on your goal, define your plan of action, arrange your stepping stones and celebrate daily success.

My best wishes for a new year rich in possibilities!

Job Hunting in a Tough Economy!

This week, a client asked me if he should put his job search on hold until the economy improves. A perfectly legitimate question! Essentially he wanted to know if this is a good time to look for a job. Whenever someone asks me that question, I respond with the same answer...

The best time to look for a job is when you need one (maybe you've lost your job due to downsizing or termination) or when you're ready for a new opportunity (due to burnout, career transition, a desire to master new skills, etc.). Most people underestimate the time and effort involved with a job search, so they put off critical prep work - like updating their marketing materials, identifying and organizing their resources, defining their network, and creating a profile (as a target) of a best fit job in a right fit organization.

Our presidential election may be decided but job seekers are left to conduct their search in an economic downturn or dare I say the "R" word - recession! Each week there seems to be some news story that triggers real anxiety about serious issues like employment, compensation, benefits and retirement. But we must push forward and not allow ourselves to be paralyzed by the evening news. Which means that candidates need to be even more proactive, more creative, more tenacious, and better prepared as they network, compete and market themselves to potential employers.

Let's also not forget about the power of positive thinking and that sometimes we do actually make our own luck. And if you're encountering some barriers and you need a fresh perspective, consider contacting a career coach!

Here are a few resources to review, dealing with job search and recession:

www.hrworld.com/features/top-25-recession-careers-022008/

www.careerhubblog.com/main/2008/01/72-recession-pr.html

www.cio.com/article/327613/_Secrets_for_Searching_for_a_Job_During_a_Recession_

The Benefits of Freelance Assignments!

Have you ever considered taking on a temporary, contract or freelance project? If you are willing to compete for these assignments, the benefits to this type of work might include:

* The ability to bring in extra income as needed.
* An opportunity to explore and expand your skills and interests.
* Bridging a gap in your employment history, when faced with downsizing or termination.
* Gaining experience and building a portfolio for a career transition.
* To address a need for flexible working arrangements while completing a degree, caring for family, etc.
* Freelancing is often a great match for individuals who enjoy working from a home office/telecommuting.

This environment is expanding, as companies seek to control costs by outsourcing projects. If you're interested in exploring the freelance world further, take a look at the following web links for additional information and leads:

Virtualvocations.com
Elance.com
Sologig.com
Guru.com
Craigslist.com
Backpage.com
ifreelance.com
Clicknwork.com
Ether.com

And feel free to share your ideas and experiences surrounding contract/freelance work!