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Friday, November 16, 2007

Build your career




Workplace Success


If you're just entering the workforce, how do you know which first step is the right first step to take? Once you get your foot in the door, how can you avoid making mistakes and climb the ladder to success? Hannah Seligson, author of New Girl On the Job: Advice from the Trenches, interviewed some of the top women in their fields as well as hundreds of "new girls" to find out how to best navigate the working world. Hannah talks with Jean and shares advice about ways to land your first job and how to handle the pressure with ease:



Write a list of things that interest you. "People are going to be good at the things they like to do," Hannah says.
Reach out to people. Hannah says career counseling centers are a great place to start. "That's the beginning of cultivating your network and building a team and a group of mentors," she says.
Before an interview, do your homework. Find out how long the last person was in the position, if there are opportunities for mentoring and what people really think about the company. In conducting your research, Hannah says to talk to past and present employees as well as to your interviewer.
Negotiate for that first salary. Before accepting an offer, Hannah says to check online resources to see how much you're worth. Also, know that bosses expect you to negotiate. "It shows that if you can handle yourself with poise and firmness, they're going to see that you'll act that way with clients," she says.
Don't take things personally. Hannah says it's important to develop a thick skin to handle the realities of the workplace. "The more women can learn not to personalize things, the better they're going to be at the job and the more energy they're going to have," she says.
Learn to self-promote. "You have to self-promote because nobody's going to do it for you," Hannah says. Put yourself out there and stand by your accomplishments, she says.
When you make a mistake, apologize, and then move on. "I think harping on it is the worst thing you can do," Hannah says.





Finding the Right Job
Did you always know what career would be the right fit for you? For most people, it's not uncommon to dabble in a variety of things before settling on one occupation. Jean talks to Susan Strayer, a career coach and author of The Right Job, Right Now, who says that while most people work for the sake of working, it doesn't have to be that way. Susan shares how to get started on the path to a career you'll love.



Some people are lucky enough to find a great job right away, but that isn't the case for most of us, Susan says. Patience is key.
Start by making a list of all the things you have to offer, including the skills that you have and the way you differentiate yourself from other people who have those same skills.
Evaluate your needs. How much does money matter to you? A good boss? Your own office?
Limit your schedule, whether that means eliminating your favorite TV show or cutting back on a few social events, and put the extra time into job hunting.
Susan says it's important to use the Internet wisely. It should be a tool, but don't let it drive your search. Networking and interaction with other professionals is just as important. If you don't think you have a network, look around you-everyone you know is a connection and you never know who might boost your job search, Susan says.
Evaluate your appearance. Changing your look and making sure you're modern can make all the difference, especially with older workers.
Create what Susan calls an "inventory of stories" that you can rely on during an interview. Think of times you've taken important roles, projects you've completed and praise you've received from clients.



Would you like to move forward in your career?


Perhaps you need help putting together a CV or resume, guidance on where to look for a job, or advice about how to develop good interview techniques and boost confidence


.Or maybe you are confused about the next step in your career direction and want support from someone who can help you identify opportunities and next steps.


Is there a gap between the life you want for yourself and the life you are currently living? What will you have to learn, change or improve upon to reach your goals?


The first step in any journey is knowing where you are heading. This is where the power of coaching lies. Coaching releases your potential commercially, personally and emotionally.


Let me help you to achieve your goals and ambitions. I not only explain the life coaching process to you and point you in the right direction, but also offer you online coaching in the form of thought-provoking questions and exercises.


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