Have you ever thought about the benefits of having a well written resume? If you think the only benefit is finding a job, think again.
Back in January, my usually upbeat handyman confided to me that he was in a funk. Business was down and he could barely meet expenses. He decided to seek employment as a Superintendent or Facility Manager. While he enjoyed doing home repairs, he needed the security of a full time job. A change in situation would create a steady income and allow him to serve private customers after business hours. The problem was he lacked the personal awareness to effectively market himself.
After a brief discussion we agreed on a barter arrangement; I would write his resume and cover letter in exchange for his taking care of several projects around my home.
My familiarity with his work helped me to create a resume that would attract the opportunities he was seeking. The profile boasted about his talents, the skills section featured every tool he had operated and the professional skills he offered. I included a logo that depicted a hammer and nail to catch the attention of hiring managers.
The interview process and completed document gave my handyman the language he needed to market himself. What he learned about himself during the interview process of the resume program gave him a better understanding of his value to others and the role his previous experience in played in achieving his goals.
About a week after his resume was completed he called to tell me about all the opportunities that were coming his way. The newly created resume enabled him to clearly speak with friends and members of his congregation about his career goals. To his surprise he found people were more than willing to share contacts and job leads. I listened as he enthusiastically told me he was going to apply for a seasonal maintenance position with the Trump Organization…It has since occurred to me the real benefit of what I do is give people the confidence and hope they need to pursue their goals.
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I am so psyched. I just signed a lease on a new office space in Port Chester. Effective February 23rd, MyCareerCoach will be located at 181 Westchester Avenue, also known as the Ernest Simons building and former home to the Ernest Simons Manufacturing Company from 1876-1914. The unique office space is only minutes to highways and within walking distance to the train station.
The move coincides with the addition of Aspire Higher “Success Team”, a collaborative Forum for Enterprising Women. This supportive team environment helps entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, independent consultants, commissioned sales executives, and home based business owners stay motivated, focused and accountable to what matters most.
In upcoming months, I will be offering job clubs, workshops and seminars to assist you better. For more information on our new location or programs, call me at 917-576-2821.
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Someone very near and dear to me received a job offer this week. For the past two years, he had set his site on working for the organization that offered him the position. A key factor that brought this to fruition was the reference his former employer and mentor gave him. She answered the concerns of the hiring manager, provided examples of why he was qualified, and spoke to his overall character and work ethic.
At the same time, I have made it my mission to help my handyman, and friend, transition into residential facilities management. Towards that goal, I contacted everyone I knew who worked in the industry, including my building manager. Eureka, several of the people I contacted automatically moved him to the top of their contact list. The building manager where I live asked for his resume and plans to meet with him next week to discuss his career goals.
In both these cases the parties had defined their career goals. They clearly shared these goals with people who were familiar with their work and believed in their dreams and abilities. Once again, these situations support the importance of having a strong network and asking for help.
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“Eyes closed, see your inner being in detail. Thus see your true nature.“
– Vigyan Bhairava, Ancient Hindu Text
It has been a while since my last posting. Which was due, in part, to some major changes my husband and I made over the past year. The biggest change was the sale of my house. However, the move has favorably effected every area of my life. Each step I took was surprisingly similar to the process of making a career transition or job change. Therefore, I offer up so both what I learned and what was reinforced along the way.
- Square Pegs Are Not Made to Fit Into Round Holes: While I loved my physical home, it was a poor fit in terms of both my husband’s and my values, wants, needs, and desires. Much like someone who is unhappy with their employer or career, no matter how hard we tried to work to resolve things the same issues kept coming up.
- Face the Problem: It took both the passing of time and outside support for my husband and I to take a realistic look at our living situation. With the assistance of Robin Vaccai Yess, CFP , an independent, fee only financial adviser who objectively yet passionately confirmed the source of our trouble. Almost 7 years to the day we moved in, we surrendered and put the house on the market.
- Prepare for Change: Aside from getting our house ready to go on the market, we had to create a criteria to find a new home that we would be happy in. While we were clear on what didn’t work for us, we had to create a vision of what would work. I applied the same principles that I use with someone who wants to make a career transition to my own life. We visited neighborhoods at different times during the day and night, questioned local residents about the area, and clocked how long it would take to travel to and from New York before we narrowed down our options.
- Expect the Unexpected: If you have ever been in a job search you know things can quickly change. Early on in our search, I fell in love with a house. While I thought it was a perfect fit, the seller had a different opinion and accepted another offer. Shortly after that, a personal situation arose, which took priority. We took the house off the market for a few months.
- Find the Opportunity in the Challenge Once our situation was resolved, we were ready to make the move. We got an offer the first day we put our house back on the market. While it wasn’t while it wasn’t our ideal number, it was good given the market conditions. We accepted the offer and ramped up our search. With less then 3 months to pick our new home we explored our options. I thought I wanted another house yet we could not find anything we liked. As time ticked by, we considered other options and eventually found a wonderful co-op that would accept us and our 2 dogs. Within less then a month I was on the gardening committee and had made 2 new friends. I never would have imagined that we could be so happy living in an apartment again.
What isn’t working in your life? What is one thing you can to change it?
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For the last week or so I have been trying to analyze why there are mostly zero comments to postings from PM’s seeking work in the daily digest I receive from Linkedin Project Managers Networking Group. My conclusion is the majority of postings lack the compelling content needed to motivate the reader into action.
Take for example the following postings be job seekers:
The presentation of the word (Still!) coupled with the candidate’s willingness to relocate anywhere in the world conveys a sense of desperation and is likely to repel members of his or her network. My initial reaction to the other postings is So What? So What as in:
- So What distinguishes you from other Project Managers?
- So What would make a hiring manager want to click on your link and schedule a meeting?
- So What do you offer that would be of value to my organization?
- So What is your professional brand and what are you best known for? How will it make difference to my organization?
- So What is it exactly that you do?
- So What would make me want to be a part of your network?
Descriptive, snappy action oriented introductions, such as the ones below, will move your network into action:
- Global PM looking for EMS, Electronic, and Medical project opportunties…expert at leading Product Development Teams culminating with Manufacturing Design Transfer. Travel no problem.
- An IT Project Management Professional (PMP) certified, Security Cleared, looking for position within UK (Cambridge or surrounding area)
- Global Portfolio Management Evangelist seeking next Mission
Happy posting
To learn more about Careers in Project Management read my column @ NY Project Management Examiner
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Learn how to win on the battlefield for employment.
You Are Invited to Attend
“THE NEW JOB WARRIORS”
A FREE WEEKLY PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE IN A CAREER TRANSITION
Starting Tuesday, March 24, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
@ Starbucks
1 Depot Square, Tuckahoe, NY
Coffee and Danish Compliments of Starbucks
Seating is limited.
Call now to reserve your space
914-961-0579
Starbucks rocks! Thanks to Miryah, manager of Starbucks in Tuckahoe for her support.
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