Career & Life Coaching

Given the situations that exist within the economy, more and more people are concerned that they will be facing a job loss. Despite the fact that being out of work can be a terrifying prospect – after all, so much relies on having a paycheck and even just the consistency of a schedule and routine – we all have career resources that we can rely on. The biggest challenge that many people have, however, is that they do not know how to identify the career resources that are available to them.

In order to survive a job loss, there are the obvious things that you will need to do. You’ll need to take the time to come to terms with the changes in your life and you’ll need to be sure that you’ve looked at your financial situation and ensured that you have a plan in place for yourself and your family. Then you’ll want to start looking at career resources – both those that are obvious and those that are a little bit less obvious.

Obvious career resources involve your skills and your talents – the things that you draw on every day that are extremely beneficial to your career and to any business that you are working with. Similarly, you’ll find that drawing on the experiences that you have will enable you to understand the path you are on and to identify whether or not you want to continue in the same field.

Just because there are obvious career resources however, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t scratch at the surface a little bit; often you’ll find that just beyond your initial sense of what’s available to you is a treasure trove of assets:

· There are the connections that you’ve made. Friends, business acquaintances, mentors, former colleagues that have moved on previously: all of these individuals can provide advice and references when you are looking to break into a new field or looking for new opportunities. Don’t hesitate to look a bit further though; for example, if you’ve always gone to the same coffee house and know the owner, he or she may also be able to steer you toward a great opportunity.

· There are your interests. Whether you’ve volunteered your services or simply had a passion for a particular topic, you may find that this too is a career resource. Volunteer positions that are outside of the realm of your traditional career provide additional skills and may open the door to a field that offers greater rewards.

In other words, if you are faced with a job loss – or even just the potential that it could happen to you – it’s important to make sure that you are looking beyond the moment. When you are able to identify your career resources along with your strengths and contacts, you will be able to do more than just survive; you’ll find that you are able to thrive and to find a new position that not only gives you stability, but also that offers its own rewards.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

With the current economic climate, more and more people are hearing the news and finding themselves concerned that they could be faced with job loss. On one hand, these individuals who are afraid of losing their jobs are looking for career tips that will help them to become invaluable in the office; on the other, however, there are some individuals who see job loss as a good thing. This latter group is often looking for career tips that will help them to change course.

In other words, what you are going to discover is that there are some people who see the bright side – who see the opportunity to look into other options and end up doing something that they think they will enjoy a bit more.

In order to turn a job loss (or just the possibility of one) into a positive, there are a few key things that you should do:

1. Focus on your interests. If you’ve always found yourself thinking that you would like to try something completely different just because it appeals to you, why not take the time to see what’s involved in making the switch. At this point, you’ll find that it might be worth it to take a few classes at a local community college, to volunteer with a favored organization or even to take on an internship; many people learn best by doing – volunteering and internships are great ways to get your foot in the door and start making connections.

2. Take advantage of your contacts. If you have friends, family members or former classmates in the field that interests you, take the time to get in touch now to show your interest rather than waiting for your job loss to be inevitable.

3. Make sure that your finances are in order. While this might not top the list of career tips that you usually see, it’s important. Whether you are thinking about starting down a new path or you’ve heard rumors about cutbacks, knowing that you have the money that you need to make ends meet is something that will save you a great deal of stress and anxiety and give you the time that you need to get started in a new position.

Ultimately, not everyone who is at risk for losing his or her job is going to be looking for career tips that will let them chance pace and start a new career – and that’s okay. In no ways is looking for the chance to get a fresh start the only option, however it’s the best option for some people.

If you are looking for a career change and the tips that will help you make one or you’re just concerned about the possibility of job loss, it’s a good idea to start looking at your options. Knowing the right contents and having a direction will let you have a plan that you’re ready to set into motion – a plan that will help you to secure a new job that you can feel great about.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Month after month, it seems as though an increased number of jobs are being removed from the workplace – either in the form of job cuts or in the form of companies making the choice to not fill vacant positions. As a result, if you’re looking into starting a job search, you might want to think about things a little bit differently. Not only is there a lot of competition out there with people making efforts for finding a new job, but also there are fewer positions available.

In other words, rather than focusing on finding a new job and starting a fresh job search, you may want to focus your attention on seeing what you can do to get a promotion. After all, if you like your job and you know that the company that you are working with is stable, why go through the stress of a job search?

In order to get a promotion, you’re going to want to keep the following in mind:

* In order to move up the corporate ladder (even if you work for a small company) you are going to need to show your employer what you can do; you’re going to need to establish a consistent record of accomplishment.

* Getting a promotion isn’t like finding a job in that it’s not always going to come from applying for a new position. Often, the best way to move up within the company is going to be focusing yourself on learning more about the company’s inner workings and gaining the knowledge and skills that a higher position would require.

* It’s important to take the lead. On some levels, leading is about showing others the way, but on others the focus is on your willingness to grow and adapt in the position. Asking for – and acting on – feedback about your performance, working with a mentor can help you to learn a lot about changes that have been made in the past and help you to establish more solid relationships in the workplace.

* Making a commitment to the company and to yourself is important; when you are focused on learning what it takes to get a promotion, one of the most important things that you can do is to show that you are dedicated to the company, to your position and to performing at your absolute best.

On some levels, the process that you’ll go through to get a promotion isn’t altogether different from finding a job, but there are benefits to not starting a job search. Once you have made your way into a company, you’re going to find that you are in a position in which your potential has already been seen; by living up to that potential and showing your supervisors that you have even more to give, you won’t just secure your current position. Instead, you will also be well on your way to finding the growth and long term success that you have been looking for.

Copyright 2008, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Before you can learn much about how to use personal branding for a competitive edge, it’s important to have an understanding of what personal branding is. Fortunately, it’s possible to take a look at the way many successful people have used personal branding to get a feel for what it is and how it can work for you.

Personal branding is something that has been done by a number of well known people. Some of the most well known among them are:

* Oprah Winfrey. Think what you will about Oprah’s personality, but from the time that she branded her show with her own name and aired a number of her personal struggles in a public way to the time that she launched her magazine, her book club and the talk show careers of Dr. Phil and Rachael Ray, Oprah has remained true to her personal brand.

* Donald Trump. Donald Trump isn’t just a real estate mogul, he’s also a man who worked hard, made his way to the top and then, time and time again, has found ways of staying there. Trump hotels have a certain reputation; so do his investment strategies that are available to almost everyone who watches his infomercials and has an internet connection, and, of course, The Apprentice also has a large audience simply because of all that the man has done to establish his personal brand.

In addition to Oprah and “The Donald”, there are a variety of others who have built their identities and empires on a foundation of personal branding. From Madonna to Bill Gates, from Rachael Ray (who established her brand by promising to teach others to prepare meals in 30 minutes and helping everyone to recognize that cooking is something that everyone can do) to Richard Branson, personal branding has proven to be a successful strategy – one that can also help you to get a competitive edge during your job search.

The reason that personal branding is so valuable is that it demands self-awareness; in order to have a brand, you need to be sure that you are able to know who you are and what you believe in. Likewise, personal branding means knowing what you value and making a commitment to bring it into everything that you do. Most importantly however, personal branding is about having the courage to be yourself – and to let others know who you are – and the confidence to believe that you can have a positive impact.

Personal branding is something that will give you a competitive edge during your job search because it will help you to appear confident and strong; it also is effective because prospective employers will see that you are committed to achieving your best and delivering consistent results. When you take advantage of personal branding and have the strength to market yourself and your values, you will find that you are able to have more than just a job – you’ll find that you are well on your way to creating an exceptional career and reaching your goals.

When you’re looking for a great opportunity – a chance to advance yourself within your field or a chance to find a completely different position over the course of your job search – one thing is certain: when you have goals for your job search, you are going to want to be sure that you are able to achieve them. Unfortunately, there are a number of things that most people do while they are in the midst of a job search that sabotage themselves.

There are a number of things that you can be doing that will sabotage your job search. Fortunately, when you understand what to do and what not to do, you’ll be able to smooth out the process of searching for a job – and, ultimately, land the job that you’ve always wanted to have.

The first thing that you need to do in order to avoid sabotaging your job search is to have an action plan. When you have an action plan for your job search, you’ll find that you are able to know what you’re going to do each day, to know when to send out your resumes and even when the right time is to follow up on those resumes and after interviews.

The next thing that you are going to need to do in order to avoid sabotaging your job search is to recognize that the job market changes over time. If it’s been a long while since you last went through a job search, chances are good that you won’t be familiar with the ways in which many companies take advantage of the online application process or of where you can search online for a job that will be great for you.

Of course, without clear career goals and a career focus, chances are good that you won’t be focusing your job search as well as you otherwise could. Without a clear focus, the chances that you will apply for positions that don’t match your skills or qualifications increase – and that can sabotage your job search. Likewise, you’ll find that when you are not focused on reaching career goals your resume will not perform as well and you will be less prepared for questions that come up during the interview process.

Simply by taking the time to know what types of jobs you want to apply for – which jobs will help you to reach your career goals – you will find that you are likely to have a more successful job search. When you know what you are working to find, you will be in a far better position to be prepared and to find it.

A job search can be frustrating – especially when you find that you are sabotaging yourself every step of the way. By taking the time to get a clear look at the picture, by focusing on your goals and what it is going to take to achieve those goals, you will find that a job search can go smoothly and land you right where you want to be.

Often, when it comes to job loss, it feels as though there is no immediate next step: once your desk is packed up, there’s little to do other than to go through the grieving process. Job loss, just like any loss that you will experience, means going through the process of shock and denial, anger, depression, acceptance and – finally – growth. While you don’t want to stay and wallow in the shock, denial, frustration or sadness that you’ll experience after a job loss, what you will find is that through acceptance and the chance to reflect, you’re in a prime position to grow.

As they say, whenever one thing ends, something new begins. When your employment ends with job loss, you’ll find that the next step is to really explore what’s important to you. After all, if you’ve lost a job, chances are good that it was not a position that was a good match for you. By taking the time to reflect on the position and on yourself, you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to move onto the next steps.

After the job loss, you’re going to want to look at a number of different things:

1. Your skills. It’s important to look at your skills after you have experienced a job loss because you will be in a far better position to find a new job that is better suited to your skill set. Everyone has his or her own strengths and skills, after all, and, just because one job wasn’t right for you doesn’t mean that there isn’t a better job out there.

2. Your interests. When you’re getting past a job loss, one of the things that you’ll discover is that you have the opportunity to take a closer look at your interests. Even if the job that you lost had little to do with what you’re passionate about, you’ll find that you have the opportunity to look at those things now and to see what job opportunities are compatible with those interests.

3. Your dreams. If you have always dreamed of owning your own business, one of the options that you will have after a job loss is to use the time to explore your business ideas and to pursue getting the training that you need to turn those dreams into a reality. Likewise, if there is a business field that you have always wanted to be a part of, you’ll discover that a job loss helps to open those doors; it’s all a matter of believing in yourself and making an effort to make changes.

Ultimately, after a job loss, continuing to believe in yourself is one of the most important things that you can do. Part of taking care of yourself after a job loss is talking over your emotions and sense of things while trying to move beyond the job loss; another part is looking at the big picture and determining what your options are.

After a job loss, you will always have options: that’s one of the most important things to remember. Work your way through the grieving process, discover what truly matters to you and, in no time, you’ll see for yourself that an end is only a beginning.

I recently spent some time revising my personal vision/mission statement for my career coaching and mentoring practice. While doing this, it occurred to me that the vision I have for my work is closely related to my personal vision. Having a job that reflects my personal vision is powerful because it has allowed me to create a business life for myself that truly reflects who I am. Companies know all about vision and mission statements and getting their employees on board. Vision and mission statements propel the company in the direction that they want, and ultimately towards success. Many of us have spent countless hours working on these statements for our employers, and doing our part to contribute to their vision as apart of the team. Much like a business, we, as human beings have a purpose or mission in life. What if we spent as much time getting to know who we are and what we want for ourselves? A personal vision/mission statement is the framework for creating a powerful life. Unlike a goal, a vision or mission rarely changes. It is a reason for our existence. It guides us in the decisions we make and the directions we take.

Your Personal Vision
Close your eyes and picture yourself in the future. It may be a few months or years from today. See the person you are; what you are doing, who you are with, what you have accomplished, what is important to you, and how people relate to you. How does it feel to be you? Feel the person you are, your true self. Now, open your eyes and see your life and yourself in the present, through those eyes. You will begin to notice the changes you need to make to honour this vision and lead a powerful life. A Personal Vision is a picture of your True Self in the future. An effective personal vision includes all the important elements of your life and career; it is who you want to be, what you want to do, how you want to feel, what you want to own, and who you want to associate with. Although your personal vision helps you to see into the future, it must be grounded in the present. It is a statement of who you are, and who you are becoming. It is the framework for the process of creating your life. Your vision is where you are headed, how you get there is your mission statement.

Your Personal Mission Statement
A Personal Mission Statement is how you will manifest your Personal Vision in your daily life. It may be a few words or several pages, but it is not a “to do” list. It reflects your uniqueness and must speak to you powerfully about the person you are and the person you are becoming. Remember, it’s okay to be where you are, while heading somewhere else. In fact, the only place you can start, is where you are right now. Having a personal vision does not mean your life changes overnight. But it will change. Your personal mission statement provides the steps to get you there. Your Personal Mission Statement should answer three questions: 1. What is my life about (Purpose)? 2. What do I stand for (Values)? 3. What actions do I take to manifest my Purpose and my Values? Stephen Covey, author or The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People writes that an empowering Mission Statement represents the deepest and best within you. It comes out of a solid connection with your deep inner life. Is the fulfillment of your own unique gifts. It’s the expression of your unique capacity to contribute. Addresses and integrates the four fundamental human needs and capacities in the physical, social/emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions. Deals with all the significant roles in your life. It represents a lifetime balance of personal, family, work, community – whatever roles you feel are yours to fill. Is written to inspire you – not to impress anyone else. It communicates to you and inspires you on the most essential level.

Covey also tells us that “creating a Personal Mission Statement will be, without question, one of the most powerful and significant things you will ever do to take leadership of you life. In it you will identify the most important roles, relationships, and things in your life – who you want to be, what you want to do, to whom and what you want of give your life, the principles you want to anchor your life to, the legacy you want to leave. All the goals and decisions you will make in the future will be based upon it. It’s like deciding first which wall you want to lean your ladder of life against, and then beginning to climb. It will be a compass – a strong source of guidance amid the stormy seas and pressing, pulling currents of you life.”

A Personal Vision/Mission can help propel you into a career change, finding a new job, or make your present job work better for you. The more connected your Personal Vision/Mission is to yourself, the better it can guide your career and your life.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Get honest and focused about what you really want. This will bring clarity to where it is best to put your time, energy, and resources. You must also face the fact that the biggest obstacle on your way to achieving success is you. Brian Tracy said,”The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean un-sailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.” His words are part of my belief system and the foundation of my coaching practice. This is why I enjoy seeing my clients having fun discovering things about themselves, doing things they love and fear, creating value for themselves and gaining control of their own life.

Think back: what have been your three most fulfilling accomplishments in life thus far, that you did not think were possible? Think of the mental barriers, no matter how small, that you had to overcome to achieve these three things.

Success in life depends on you. You are in control of the outcome. Whatever path you take in your life is of your own choosing. Whether it seem like it or not, even letting someone else take control of your life requires your consent on some level. You are the source of your own failure or success. You do not need anyone’s permission to change your life. The power to do so is within you. Remember: your skills, talents, knowledge, experience and attitude are the most valuable assets you have. Use them!

Getting good support makes it easier to make better choices. If you need support, a Personal Coach can help.

Find out more….

1. Keep work in perspective – remember how you left work on time in the summer?

2. Change a routine task – develop a new process. Instead of handling your e-mails as you get them, set aside specific times during the day to respond.

3. Set boundaries – you don’t have to attend every meetings you are invited to or sign up for every project. Choose the meetings you can add value to or benefit from.

4. Manage your stress – identify what causes you stress and how it affects you.

5. Take time out – close your door (if you have one), call forward your phone, turn off your e-mail, take a walk. Use this time “during your work day” to prepare for a big meeting, a presentation or work on a project.

6. Delegate – are you spending too much time on the administrative process of your job and not utilizing your skills to benefit your long-term goals and your company’s goals?

7. Work/Play Balance – what did you enjoy doing during the summer that you want to continue (going to the movies, playing tennis, volunteering, spending time with your kids, seeing friends, etc.)? Put it on your schedule.

Have you thought about your career goals for 2008? What worked to years ago in planning and managing your career will not work for your career development in the 21st Century. Managing your career in the 21st Century requires preparation, career goal planning and career guidance and ensuring that your time is directed meaningfully.

Here is how to find enjoyment and continue to progress in your career.

1. Determine if your present job is in line with who you are, what you value, and what you are good at. Are you really doing what you want to do? Being self-aware means you become clear about what you stand for and what you have to offer. When you know what you have to offer, you become more powerful and intentional in your work. Doing a good job is no longer good enough to guarantee your career will go well. You are your most important asset. Self-branding provides direction and clarity of purpose for how you work, not just what you do for a living.

2. Identify your job satisfiers and dissatisfiers. Find a way to do more of the tasks/projects that you enjoy.

3. Identify your accomplishments.

4. Take the time to build and maintain relationship with individuals who might impact your work. You will benefit personally and professionally from the time you invest in such relationships.

5. Determine and write down your vision for your professional life. What actions do you need to take that will get you there? Celebrate the steps you take daily to achieve your vision. You can create the life you want! Here are some ways you can do that:

* Keep work in perspective – remember how you left work on time in the summer?

* Manage your stress – identify what causes you stress and how it affects you.

* Take time out – close your door (if you have one), call forward your phone, turn off your e-mail, take a walk. Use this time “during your work day” to prepare for a big meeting, a presentation or work on a project.

* Delegate – are you spending too much time on the administrative process of your job and not utilizing your skills to benefit your long-term goals and your company’s goals?

* Work/Play Balance – what did you enjoy doing during the summer that you want to continue (going to the movies, playing tennis, volunteering, spending time with your kids, seeing friends, etc.)? Put it on your schedule.

6. Be Bold! Don’t be afraid to take on some responsibilities in positions above you. Aim to always exceed expectations.

7. Manage your own time. Set boundaries. Learn to say “no” to non-essential use of your time.

8. Look for way to do things better, and more efficiently. Change a routine task – develop a new process. Instead of handling your e-mails as you get them, set aside specific times during the day to respond.

9. Be great at what you do. The knowledge and skill that create success in your current job will position you for your next move.

10. Be aware of roadblocks that can limit your potential to move upward.

11. Take on projects that will most likely benefit you.

12. Have passion for what you are doing and working toward. You will automatically put more effort into it. If you are not feeling passionate about your work ask yourself: is what you “should’ be doing interfering with what you want to be doing?

Remember! Your career must contribute to your life, not the other way around!