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Interview with NY1

Interview with NY1

Tomorrow is Thanksgving. It is a time of the year that reminds me to count my blessings. As I look back over the past year I am proud that I chose gratitude in situations where I could have easily chosen to be angry, fearful or bitter. I also know gratitude is not always an easy choice to make.

We are living in one of the most difficult times in history. Each day I hear my clients, friends, and relatives  tell me about how they are spending less. This morning I heard about a man who had lost his job and was frightend about his future. The person who relayed the story had also been laid off and called me to schedule an information interview about an idea he had that could help others who were in need of new opportunities. In reflection, his positive attitude – more than his idea – was a key factor in my scheduling a time for us to meet for an information interview.

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Watch MyCareerCoach, Anne-Marie Ditta, Live on NY 1

I am excited to let you know that I will appear on NY 1 (Channel 1 in New York, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island and www.ny1.com outside of New York City) tomorrow, November 14, 2008. At approximately 2:00 PM, award-winning reporter Cheryl Wills will interview staff and members of the Center for Women of New York, a non-profit organization that serves as a one-stop, walk-in resource center for women, at 207 Totten Avenue, Fort Totten, NY.

My relationship with CWNY began when my friend, Mary, mentioned that one of her friends was on the board. Naturally, I asked her for an introduction, which led to my involvement with the organization. Last December, I began leading a job club for women. Every other Friday I entered the cramped office located on the 3rd floor of Queens Borough Hall to provide resume critiques, job search strategy and interview preparation. There were weeks in which no one showed and other weeks where attendees and myself could barely squeeze into our little space. Within 10 months the group grew from zero to 11 regular members. Last week, we celebrated our first hire. She was so grateful that she wrote the following note:

Dear Anne-Marie:
Just wanted to let you know that I was offered the position at the College and will begin working on November 13th. I want to thank you for all the advice and support. You created a tremendous resume for me, critiqued my clothing and helped me dress more fashionably and professionally, and provided ongoing morale-boosting, as well as innumerable concrete ideas in regard to the job search. You were always extremely insightful, and gave me many tools to view myself more insightfully as well. The Job Club is a truly amazing amazing creation that is uniquely yours but has taken on a real life of its own. (The word “amazing” is much overused these days, but it is just the right adjective in this instance.) Each meeting has more and more depth to it, no matter whether the participants have been attending for a while or there are new faces. You bring out the best in people. The women who come each week are so very intelligent and their suggestions are invaluable, both psychologically and in terms of providing new avenues for career paths.
Thank you for everything. I wish you the best.
Arlene

To donate or learn more about the Center for Women of New York visit their website http://cwny.org/

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Happiness and the Right Work Environment

A few months ago my incredibly gifted yoga instructor shared that at 13 years old she knew she wanted  a career that allowed her to  work barefoot. At the start of each class, Kathy (not her real name) shares a learning from her own life’s experiences to stretch us not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Tonight’s lesson was based on her recent steps towards making a career change.

In addition to teaching yoga, Kathy has a high-level position with a venerable New York City establishment. From the outside her position is glamorous, on the inside it is causing her considerable stress. Recently, her former boss asked her to interview for a position in his new business. Convinced she was a shoe in from the position, she went through several stages of interviews, without giving thought to whether this was the best fit for her or the company. After a month of not hearing back from the company, she came to an important realization.

Kathy realized she was basing her happiness on getting the new job. Her new found awareness allowed her to focus on other things, like yoga, that  make her happy. After class we spoke about what had happened and while I agreed with her insights I asked to give some thought to the following concept:

Like plants in a garden, people thrive when they are placed in the right work environment. What environment do you need to be in to  thrive and grow?

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