8 Essential Steps to Take Before Beginning Your Job Search - Pandemic Edition
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Struggling to Get your Job Search Started?
/The Job Search Kickstart is an intense, focused program to help you get unstuck and moving forward. The program is full of helpful, practical info with real “homework” - specific steps to take to prepare for a successful job search. The program includes the option to work with a coach or work through the material on your own. The Job Search Kickstart includes a resume guide, LinkedIn challenge, cover letter crash course, interview checklist and much more.
Read More5 Practical Steps to Take After You've Lost your Job
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Job loss is frightening – and it’s happening everywhere. I’m hearing stories from people who were first furloughed but have now found that they are permanently laid off. Others have survived the first shock wave but now are finding their job ending as part of continued cuts. It’s scary – but there are some practical steps you can take to make it through this very difficult time. You’ll sleep better if you have a plan.
Read More9 Do's and Don'ts for Giving your Adult Kids Career Advice
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It's tricky. Your adult kids are struggling to find a career - or even just a job that pays the bills. You want to share your wisdom and decades of hard-earned experience but they really don't want to hear it. What's a parent to do?
Read More5 Myths about Job Hunting During a Recession
/The economic numbers are scary. According to the Associated Press, “the U.S. unemployment rate hit 14.7% in April, the highest rate since the Great Depression, and 20.5 million jobs vanished in the worst monthly loss on record. The figures are stark evidence of the damage the coronavirus has done to a now-shattered economy.”
I’m hearing from people who have been furloughed or laid off, from self-employed workers who are finding their income streams drying up or disappearing, and from others who worry that lay-offs are just around the corner. These worries are keeping people up at night, imagining the worst, that the recession will deepen into even darker economic times and jobs will be hard to find.
While it’s normal to worry about the future, especially when times are difficult, it’s important to know that, while job hunting during a recession is not an easy task, it’s not impossible.
Yes. A lot of people are out of work and looking for job.
Yes. There will be a lot of resumes submitted for every position.
Yes. That’s a lot of competition so you’ll need to work extra hard to prove yourself to be a great candidate.
But there is good news out there. Here are five myths about job hunting during difficult economic times.
Read MoreSo what is The LifeWork Project 21 Day Reboot? And why you need it.
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The LifeWork Project is a 21 day e-course to help you find your path forward.
It’s the LifeWork Project - Pandemic Edition.
I’ve offered the LifeWork Project as an e-course for several years and clients have loved the simplicity of the daily assignments and the deep understanding and vision that comes from the work. The LifeWork Project has helped artists get their groove back. It has helped bored employees find real work that is satisfying and meaningful. A recent retiree used the LWP to refine her vision for retirement and now uses her skills in environmental advocacy. Even those on the corporate hamster wheel have found a path to fresh grass.
So what is the LifeWork Project? Good question - because - It’s actually a bunch of questions.
I considered calling the LWP the Life Questions Project. The LWP is basically a series of questions for you to answer about your life - questions that will:
help you asses your current situation
take a realistic look at your finances
clarify what you really value and how you want to live your life
explore your personality
take a look at the lessons you have learned from your past
make positive decisions about your next step
create a plan for living into a future that really works for you.
I call it “do-it-yourself life and career coaching”.
The LifeWork Project helps you find the answers within yourself - the keys to your next step forward.
The LWP uses the tools I have developed over years of mental health counseling and life and career coaching - tools that include journaling exercises and creative visioning experiments, along with practical worksheets and inventories.
You will receive a daily email with a short LifeWork Discovery reading and the question of the day to ponder, write about, and reflect on. Each weekend, you will try a creative LifeWork activity - something fun but helpful - and modified to fit the restrictions we are all following to stay safe and healthy.
You will start by assessing what shape your life is in right here right now - in the middle of a global pandemic and coming recession. Scary, I know, but once you look it in the eyes, you know what you’re dealing with and you can move on.
The LWP Pandemic Edition is a little more philosophical - a little more spiritual. The lockdown and resulting anxiety about life and money and jobs has us all re-thinking our lives a bit. The LWP gives you a chance to write down what you’re thinking, spend some time reflecting on what it all means, and then make good positive decisions and create a plan for your next step.
And the big bonus: For the first time, I’m creating a private group where you will have the option to share your responses, ask questions and interact with others on the same journey. I will be moderating the group - so I’ll be available virtually to answer questions about the process - and about any job search or decision making problems you encounter.
So what are you waiting for?
The LifeWork Project begins June 1, 2020 and I’ve deeply discounted the price until May 31, 2020 - trying to do my part to help us all get through this together. Normally, $89.95, the LWP Pandemic Edition is on sale for $39.
If you’ve lost your job and even that is too much, just email me at anita@bluesagecareers.com. I have a few scholarships I can offer for half the sale price.
You can read more about the LWP: Pandemic Edition here. And please just email me at anita@bluesagecareers.com if you have any questions. I’ll be glad to answer them.
Give it a try - it could be the best thing you’ve done since March.
When Your Dream Job turns Out to be a Dud: 5 Red Flags that it’s Time to Leave
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Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash
When Your Dream Job turns Out to be a Dud:
5 Red Flags that it’s Time to Leave
You did the work. You got a fabulous degree, great recommendations, worked your network and you got the job. The job that you thought was your dream job. It had all the things you wanted – or at least the most important things. But the reality is far from what you imagined. Maybe you’re working crazy long hours. Maybe your new boss is the micromanager from hell. Maybe the non-profit job where you thought you could make a difference in the world turns out to be mostly paperwork and promises. You fill in the blanks.
You thought it was going to be a great job. But it’s not.
I recently worked with a client who could tell you this story. He had worked hard to land just the right position in a tough to crack field. We worked together to update his resume, find the right contacts, and even prep a few interview answers. He got the job. It was great!
… and then it wasn’t. His ‘dream’ job turned out to be a nightmare. From the outside, it looked fabulous. But like many Instagram shots, what was just outside the frame was a total mess. His boss was the ultimate micromanager with an alcohol problem. Co-workers rarely stayed long enough in the job to develop any sense of teamwork. And the whole system was stuck. Any suggestions of change were quickly torpedoed by the upper management. So, he called me back after just a year on the job with the questions:
“Now what?”
“How do I fix this?”
“ How long do I tough it out?”
Those are the questions. What do you do? How long do you stay before hopping over to Indeed and shooting resumes everywhere? What are the best strategies?
Conventional wisdom says its best to stay at least 12-18 months in a job. At that point, you’ve survived the learning curve that comes with on-boarding and learning new procedures. You know your work team and probably passed your first evaluation. You have gotten through the ups and downs of a calendar year. Most likely, you now understand the culture and mission of the organization – for good or bad. You have developed relationships with co-workers, or not, which is a big red flag. You have a year of experience with your boss. Is he or she always a tyrant? Or just when stress and deadlines prevail? There’s value in reaching the year mark.
However, no benchmark works for everyone. Sometimes, an early reboot of the job search is warranted – even with just three to six months on the job. Only you can decide if it’s time to update your resume and begin the job search again.
Here are some strategies for coping when your dream job turns out to be a dud.
First, it’s important to dig deep into why you’re unhappy. Take some time to write down those things that you just can’t stand about your new job. Get really specific. Is it one person who seems to drag you down? Is the paper overload temporary or is it part of the company norm? Are you feeling isolated because you moved to a new city? Are you in a cubicle with no window? Take some time to think about why you were drawn to this job. What about it made you think it was your dream job? What are your great disappointments now?
Write it all down and sleep on it. The next day, take a look at your list. Is it still valid? Or do you immediately begin adding new items?
Second, consider the possibilities for change within your new job. Many times, new hires get the dregs of the job. As you gain the trust and confidence of your new employer, will your duties shift? Are there opportunities for promotion or even a lateral move to a slightly different position? As you become more familiar with the job, will you develop strategies for working faster or more efficiently? Is there a supervisor or someone in HR you can talk with to develop a strategy to change those parts of the job that are dragging you down?
Now that you have analyzed your situation, here are a few red flags that indicate it may be time to move on.
Your manager doesn’t support you. You’ve asked for additional opportunities or challenges to no avail. Maybe you met with your boss to talk about possible changes in your position or consulted HR about a lateral move and hit a dead end. You feel unsupported by your boss or the management team.
The old adage is really true. People leave bosses, not companies. Bad managers can make us more miserable than any other aspect of our jobs – including other co-workers or the actual work itself. A Gallup study of more than 7,000 U.S. adults found that 50% of people have left a job to get away from their manager at some point in their career.
There’s no path for advancement with the organization. You’re working your fingers to the bone, staying late to get things done and there’s no recognition for the good job. Maybe there’s someone in the position above you who’s never going to leave the company. Maybe it’s the boss’s nephew or son or daughter. Maybe it’s the employee who’s been there for years and everyone loves. It doesn’t matter. The reality is that you can’t move up because no one else is moving on.
The company is struggling. Maybe it’s not you but that the company is in real trouble. This causes stress in upper management which then pours down upon the heads of the worker bees. Watch out for signs such as budget cuts, contracting out work, failing to give regular raises, limited funds for upgrades in software and equiqment or continuing education, etc. If so, that’s a clue to update your resume. Now.
Your dream job is affecting your physical health. You may be suffering stress related symptoms such as digestive issues, back, neck or other muscle pain, TMJ, insomnia, headaches, fatigue, etc. The list is long. Check in with your doctor. If possible, take some days off to address your physical health and make a plan to deal with the job issue long term.
Your job is affecting your mental health. You find yourself really dreading Monday – more than just the normal Monday blues. Sundays feel like a bottomless pit of dread. Evenings after work are filled with numbing out with Netflix or an entire bottle of wine. You’re not communicating with – or you’re yelling at – your spouse and the kids. You find yourself thinking of ways to avoid going to work – sick days or invented crises.
Or you’re thinking about suicide. Yes, I said it. It happens. It’s time to find a counselor or doctor, talk it out, get some meds if needed, and make a change. No job is worth your mental health.
If you realize that your dream job is truly a dud, or even worse, a toxic waste dump, it’s time to move on. Recognize that disappointment and grief will be part of the process of moving on. You had such high hopes for this job. So let yourself feel all the feels – sadness, anger, disappointment, and all the others. – and then pick yourself up and make a plan.
Remember that sometimes an unexpected failure can turn out to be a positive. Failures can jolt you into new ways of things. Take the time to stop and think deeply about how the situation turned out. What changes can you make? What have you learned from this experience?
Think creatively about your future. Where can you go from here? What new skills have you learned in this job? What contacts have you made in your job that you can reach out to possibilities? Maybe this “dream job” was just a stepping stone to something even better.
How to Create a ASCII or Plain Text Resume - and When to Use It
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How to create an ASCII or plain text resume and when you need to use one. Have you ever been asked to submit an ASCII or plain text resume for an onine job application? It’s a resume that’s been stripped of most formatting in order to be scanned by an applicant tracking system. An ASCII or plain text resume is an electronic resume in plain text that any type of computer or software can read. Forget those lovely Pinterest worthy resume layouts. An ASCII resume is just plain ugly. But it gets your job history, skills and experience past the bots and gets the job done.
ASCII (pronounced "askee") is an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange. ASCII text is used for entering (or pasting) your resume information into online submission forms and for pasting your resume into the body of an e-mail.
Due to the sheer volume of applications that are submitted to online job applications, most companies use a computer system called ATS - applicant tracking system, to scan resumes looking for keywords that match the job description. Converting your resume to ASCII before pasting it into an online job application form ensures it will display properly and be read correctly by the system. Fancy formatting, graphics, columns, unusual fonts and bullets may not be read correctly by the ATS - or even read at all. Your resume may be rejected before even reaching the hiring manager.
Read More8 Warning Signs You Need a New Job
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8 Warning Signs that it’s Time to Look for a New Job. Do you dread each and every Monday morning? Are you being passed over for promotions or find it hard to see a good future with your current company? Is your workplace toxic? It may be time to consider a job change.
Read More7 Essential Steps to Take Before You Begin the Job Hunt
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7 Essential Steps to Take Before You Begin the Job Hunt. You’ve decided it’s time to find a new job. Whether you’re a new college graduate or just ready for a change, it’s tempting to slap a resume together and start hitting apply on every job position you see on Indeed. But there are a few essential steps you need to take before hitting that SUBMIT button. Completing these basic steps will make your job search go more smoothly and will greatly improve your chances of landing the job you’ve always wanted
Read More"So...tell me about yourself." 4 simple steps to a great answer.
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It’s often the first question you’ll face in an interview. Despite knowing this, many candidates head into a job interview without a clue as to their answer. Many struggle with a good answer and bobble around a bit as they try to think of something smart to say.
Trust me, your interviewer knows when you’re not prepared for this question and is probably rolling his or her eyes internally as you blunder and wobble through your answer.
Some version of this question is almost a certainty in any interview. You can count on it so it’s worth taking some time to polish up an answer.
Read More3 Quick Tips to Jumpstart your Job Search on LinkedIn
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I have to admit I was a skeptic early on. As a counselor and career coach who’s been around a while, I understood the value of building a network to help in your job search but I wasn’t sure about the real value of an online networking site. I was so wrong!
Depending on which data you look at, between 75-90% of all recruiters use LinkedIn to find and vet job candidates. I’ve worked with clients who have found jobs or made connections that helped them find jobs through LinkedIn. I myself been contacted by recruiters with job possibilities and even landed a job interview. Yeah, I have to say it’s worth it! But it does take some time and a little work on your part to make those job connections and possibilities happen. Here are 3 quick tips to get you started.
Read More10 Do's and Don'ts to Impress a Hiring Manager
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I recently spoke with two hiring managers who regularly interview and assess job applicants. One was the communications director and hiring manager for a large international business company. Another was a store manager for a large big box retailer. Both offered insight into what they look for in an applicant. Every hiring manager is different but here are some of the things that would impress these two managers and help you land the job.
How to Impress the Hiring Manager and Land a Job
How to Build a Powerful Resume that Will Land You an Interview: Part One
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So you’re looking for a job? Maybe, it’s your first job out of college or university. Maybe, you’ve decided it’s time for a career change and are ready to move on. Maybe your company downsized and you no longer have a choice about finding a new job. Whatever your personal scenario, you’re going to need a resume.
It's time to change your mindset about resumes.
Read More9 Steps to Network Your Way into a Job
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It’s often called the hidden job market. About 75% of all job openings are never advertised. While job sites are great places to look for jobs, it pays to remember that the majority of jobs will never show up there. An estimated 70-80% of jobs are never published on a job search website like Indeed or Linked In, in the newspaper or even on the company website.
The reality is that the vast majority of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So what’s a job hunter to do?
It’s a word my clients hate to hear.
Read MoreTired of the same old thing? Ready to find a new job?
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Are you feeling like you just can't face another day in your current job? Feeling stuck in your career or just burned out? Are you ready for a change - but you’re not sure what steps to take next? Are you still trying to choose a career path but not sure what direction to take? Are you excited each morning to get out of bed and head off to work or do you drag yourself out the door just hoping for Friday to arrive?
Ready to find a new and better career? Need help with the job search?
Now is the time. It's time for a change, time to hit the refresh button on your career, or to begin the process of finding a career you love. Maybe you’re bored out of your mind in your current job and you’re looking for a new challenge that better fits your life and dreams. Maybe you’ve been out of the job market for a while - in school, at home caring for others or just can’t seem to figure out what’s next for you. Maybe you just need a change.
It's not too late to sign up. The next class of The LifeWork Project™ begins July 10 and there are still a few spots left.
Here's what previous participants have written about The LIfeWork Project™:
"I really enjoyed the LifeWork Project! I understand and appreciate myself better -strengths, weaknesses, energy drainers AND gainers- and all. I'd highly recommend this to anyone who is feeling stuck, bored, restless, or who has goals and some idea about what one wants to do but needs a confidence boost and a bit of confirmation, and/or is struggling to formulate a plan to forge one's dreams into reality." ~Katie C. Charleston, SC
"After just 2 weeks of The LifeWork Project™, I felt more confident about choosing a new career path that looked exciting and full of potential. I had been feeling very bored and stuck in my old job and now I have a plan to find a new job. Now, I'm more prepared for the job search and have all my accomplishments lined up for my resume." ~ Steven R. Greenville, SC
Career coaching for the rest of us
If you’re ready to take some real steps to figure out what’s next for you, take a look at The LifeWork Project™ - a 40 day e-course designed to help you find the work of your life - work that leads to a lifetime of challenge, satisfaction and success. The e-course will include weekday emails delivered straight to your inbox with a LifeWork discovery reading and a question or assignment of the day to ponder. Each week you will be guided through a series of exercises, journal writing prompts, and other activities to assist you in discovering your personality, identifying your strengths and transferable skills, clarifying your values and creating a career design plan with action steps for moving forward.
You will complete the full length Myers Briggs Personality Inventory (MBTI®) and receive a personality profile plus career information tailored to your personality type. With individual email support from Anita, you will be guided through the Best Fit process for your personality type and career. You will spend time looking back and learning lessons from your past plus taking time to complete a frank and honest assessment of your current situation. Finally you will design a plan for moving forward toward the career you’ve always wanted.
The LIfeWork Project™ includes:
- Daily emails (Mon-Fri) with a LifeWork Discovery reading and homework for each day
- Weekly exercises, writing prompts and other LifeWork Discovery activities plus a weekend LifeWork Challenge.
- MBTI Personality Profile, Best Fit analysis, and Career Information based on your type ($59 value)
- The LifeWork Values Matrix
- The LifeWork Career Design Plan
- Options for individual coaching throughout the process with Blue Sage Career Coach, Anita Flowers, MA are available at a discounted rate for LifeWork Project™ participants.
The next LifeWork Project begins on July 10 and registration is now live. Space in each class is limited. Take advantage of this low pricing on The LifeWork Project™ and sign up here today.
