It is so funny to me when I think about the phrase: Keeping up with the Joneses. To give you the dictionary version of the phrase I did a quick search online and here it is:

“Keeping up with the Joneses” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeping_up_with_the_Joneses) is a catchphrase in many parts of the English-speaking world referring to the comparison to one’s neighbor as a benchmark for social caste or the accumulation of material goods. To fail to “keep up with the Joneses” is perceived as demonstrating socio-economic or cultural inferiority.

In the world of career planning and networking, I think there is also an element of ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’ – you want to ensure that you have the ‘right’ contacts and cultivate those relationships so that you can benefit from the assistance / advice of others. Similarly, they can benefit from your network; after all, what goes around comes around (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/what_goes_around,_comes_around). This brings me to the point (finally). What are some of the critical elements that should comprise your networking strategy so that you develop, maintain, and nurture the ‘right’ connections to generate results?

Social Sites: There are numerous social sites to keep you busier than you ever expected to be, or confounded, as the case may be. Facebook, LinkedIN, Plaxo, YouTube, and MySpace are just a sampling; there are hundreds of these sites with more cropping up everyday. Naturally you will not be able to join all of them; even if you could, why would you want to? Pick two or three sites that you feel comfortable with; your choice will be wholly depended on what your primary goals are with regard to enhancing your search and business strategy. Your message, objective, and time spent on these efforts should embody a professional presence where you can engage in open and productive discourse with others, share ideas, seek opinions, and form relationships.

Establishing your Objective: Depending upon your objective will certainly govern which sites you join and frequent most often. From my own research, and discussions with clients and peers I have found that sites like Facebook and MySpace are much more geared toward personal interactions – purely for chatting and sharing things about family, friends, kids, etc., whereas LinkedIN, Plaxo, and other sites operate more in the professional arena. Identifying your objective will enable you to choose the sites that are most appropriate for you.

Your Message: This is perhaps the most important part of your social strategy. Your message should be clear, concise, and to the point. If you are using social sites to facilitate your job search, it will be imperative that you are prepared to share related ideas and information regarding your background and competencies to potential hiring managers. Your online profile, résumé, and cover letter should be complete and ready for viewing / submission should the opportunity arise. If you have a blog or method of sharing your ideas with people; be sure that it is established and that you are ready to share. More importantly, be prepared to help others. Networking is a two-way street. Just as you are concerned with your search, other people are trying to achieve the same thing for their own job hunt. Communicating with others should include your willingness to help the other party, too.

Here are some items for your to do list:

1. Research which social networking sites you want to join.

2. Establish your online profile with an appropriate picture.

3. Start making connections with friends or people you know.

4.Cultivate your extended network by engaging with people that are 2^nd or 3^rd removed from you.

5.Contribute to online postings by either answering questions or posting information that might be interesting or useful for others.

6.Continue to expand your network by engaging people online while being receptive to new connections.

As you refine your strategy, you will learn new ways of connecting to people and establishing value in your social networks.

How’s that for ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’?

• A plain text resume – is a resume with the formatting stripped out so when it is loaded into a resume tracking system such as those run by job boards it doesn’t get all jumbled and garbled.
• Taleo is a human capital management system that is used by larger companies to manage their open positions and applicants.
• Personality profiling is used to help match candidate “archetypes” to common characteristics perceived to be necessary for certain job types, in other words – sales people tend to have certain traits and engineers tend to have other traits and never the twain shall meet.
• 360-degree feedback is a type of review where individuals are rated by their peers and subordinates in addition to their management in an effort to help balance performance measurement.
• The difference between a resume and CV – CV or curriculum vitae, tends to be more common in the EU – they tend to be longer and contain more personal details which would be out of the norm in the US. They also tend to be more common within roles such as medicine, law or academia.

These are just some common things I know about just as part of doing my day-to-day job that may not be quite as well known to those of you in other fields.  Any others? Feel free to ping me and I will explain them in a future entry.

Focus on the Goal. Whenever I’ve been down, I find that it is because I have too many things going on; it is stressful to look at a laundry list of ‘to-dos’ and feel energized by that. The overwhelming sensation that there are simply not enough hours in the day grips me like I am paralyzed. I think about all of the things. How will I get them all done? It consumes all of my energy. One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to do too much. Choose one goal at a time. Focus on that goal; make a plan to achieve it before you try to move on to the next thing. The simplicity of putting all your ‘eggs in one basket’ as it were will be just the thing you need to forge ahead. Divide and conquer I say!

Look for the Inspiration: We are all inspired by different things – some read books, articles, journals, blogs, or other materials regarding someone else who has overcome adversity or some other challenge. Some speak to people and learn of their efforts to promote change in their own lives. Whatever your method for becoming inspired, embrace it! You will feel empowered and inspired to keep going.

Psych yourself up: Seems totally obvious, right? Well, not so much. It is hard to be excited by something that represents a lot of work and requires, as I always say ‘a significant amount of skin in the game’. Talk to your friends, relatives, and people within your sphere of influence. You might even consider joining a networking group. There are some that really provide a lot of inspiration and support from the other group members. Visualize your success in your head. (I do this at the gym). I know it sounds hokey, but I get my best ideas while I am running. Embrace that renewed sense of power and carry it forward.

Set Milestones: Setting milestones to achieve the overarching goal will allow to formalize your approach and celebrate the little achievements. It is the crawl, walk, run theory. Keep notes; write down the milestones on a calendar. When you achieve them, give yourself a ‘present’. This could be something as simple as an afternoon in the park. The point is that you should reward yourself for achieving your milestones. This will help you achieve the points referenced above.

Publicize it: Tell other people – friends, family about what you are doing. People will ask you how things are coming along. You will want to have something to share with them. Sharing what you are doing with other people – similar to writing it down makes it seem more ‘real’. Find a person, or people with whom you can share your updates on a regular basis. You will find that your progress reports will allow others to help you help yourself.

Embrace the Level Set: There will be high’s and low’s to your search. Things fluctuate; life fluctuates. If you need a good swift kick in the bootie, call someone who inspires you for a reality check. It will happen for you.

Don’t Despair and Don’t Give Up: Consider your search a journey with stops along the way. You might hit bumps in the road; at some point the bumps will turn to clear highway. You might even be forced to have to choose between making a left or a right! (Think two options.) Stick it out; you will be glad you did.

Power of Positive Thinking: How you feel about yourself is what you project to others. This is especially true of job search! You must remain positive during your search. Other people will sense your proactive and ‘happy’ mentality. This will contribute to your success! Value yourself – others will value you too. You can do this!

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”  — Michael Jordan

Knowing different languages serves to help improve communication, but also drives cultural awareness – something that will continue to grow in importance in business. Why is learning another language important? Here’s some food for thought.

• International businesses prefer to hire people who speak more than one language.
• Knowing one or more foreign languages may give you an edge when competing for an important position.
• Opportunities abroad will continue to grow. Being able to communicate in another language will make you more marketable with companies doing business internationally.
• Being able to communicate with people in their language also demonstrates that you have some knowledge regarding the culture and rituals of those people.

There are so many languages to explore! The world is full of rich and diverse cultures. If you consider how much you would learn and understand, the benefits are immediately clear.

Why should you learn…

Spanish: Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States. The company that you currently work for is probably doing business in many Spanish speaking countries. If you look around, you will probably notice that many signs are written in both English and Spanish. When conducting business, people tend to trust those that speak their language. Since Spanish is so pervasive, this might be a good place to start.

Mandarin Chinese: With the growth in China’s economy, it is predicted that China’s economy will overtake the US economy. While learning Mandarin is quite the challenge, knowing the language will certainly provide some valuable benefits – not the least of which is that major deals are not closed in the boardroom, but rather, in restaurants. Opportunities will be available for people who can communicate in Mandarin and serve as value representatives on behalf of a multinational corporation conducting business in China.

If you want to get started on learning a foreign language you might want to start here. (http://resumesdonewrite.blogspot.com/2009/02/continuing-education-part-i-foreign_21.html).

“A different language is a different vision of life.” Federico Fellini, Italian film director.

What I have noticed, and I am sure you have noticed it too, is that while the blogs are terrific – the comments – not always so much. In many cases the comments represent no more than a snapshot of the inane, ludicrous, pejorative, useless, and off-topic ravings of the masses. I recognize that you can choose to remain anonymous when you post a comment, which is why people feel free to write things under cover of anonymity that they wouldn’t say if they were standing before someone.

Equally irksome is the people that post comment on blogs for purely self-serving reasons. The comment is hardly worth reading, but after a quick glance downward there it is: a link back to their own site!

The collaborative nature of the Internet and the wealth of information is by far the cornerstone of what makes the online community so impressive – at least from my perspective. Here are some quick guidelines to make sure your comments are read and value-add:

• Don’t use epithets or other similar language when posting comments. If you want to leave a comment, make sure it adds some value. Otherwise, it is simply a waste of time.
• If you want to include a link, think first – if your comment is void of value and just says – this is good but look here, it most likely won’t get posted. I won’t post those; BUT, if you have something so say, even it is contrary to my opinion and you link to your site; absolutely I will post it.  That’s me – some bloggers will not randomly publish a comment that is self-serving no matter what.
• “First” as a post is lame – go get a life!
• Add value – comments should be worth the time of the reader – if you want to be contrary, go ahead, but don’t do so for the sake of just being contrary. Have a reason.

So, get involved, be part of the community, and be interesting!

Do not party like it’s 1999: Office parties and good cheer are par for the course at the end of the year. You might be invited to more than one office extravaganza! Perhaps your co-workers are throwing a few bashes in addition to the office-sponsored event. This is not the time for you and Jack (Daniels) to become bosom buddies. I am not suggesting that you shouldn’t have a good time. BUT, just because you are at a party doesn’t mean you need to throw all caution to the wind and let it all hang out – if you know what I mean. Letting your inner tiger loose during one of these little soirees can leave a mark! Your professional reputation should be upheld at all times. This means no double fisted shots of tequila or a scene from Coyote Ugly, in which you are the star. Keep it clean – you will thank me!

The down low on office gifts: Sure, it’s a time where you might want to give out some gift to your office pals. This can get quite expensive; and where do you draw the line? If you start giving gifts to a few people, then you start thinking of others in the office like they are extended family. Before you know it, you have a LIST, I mean the kind of list that requires it’s own notebook. To save your pocketbook and back from carrying a car-load worth of goodies via public transportation, and then lugging said packages through the streets of New York or some other locale, consider suggesting a Secret Santa for the department or entire office. This will ensure that everyone gets a little something. Nobody will be left out; and you won’t have to break the bank to purchase tokens of appreciation to distribute to your office pals.

Be mindful of the religious and cultural beliefs of others: Not everyone in your office is the same religion as you; some folks don’t celebrate the same holidays as you do; and some don’t celebrate any end-of-year holidays at all. Be sensitive to others’ feelings, cultural, and religious preferences.

The holidays can and should be fun for you and the people you work with. Make sure that you maintain your professional demeanor to avoid being reminded through office chatter and the jibes of co-workers of behavior that you would rather everyone forget. Think of your personal reputation and act accordingly.

What are your goals for seeking an advanced degree?

You need to understand what your personal and professional motivations are. If you are considering the degree because you believe it will help facilitate your career growth that is a good reason to attend. In addition to expanding business knowledge, you will also form good connections with other participants. The friendships and networks formed during completion of a graduate degree can be very valuable for ongoing career success. Also, an advanced degree demonstrates your willingness to continue to expand your knowledge and maintain your marketability throughout your career.

How do you choose a program that’s right for you?

Choosing a program that meets your personal and professional needs is very important. Not all schools or programs offer things that are right for everyone. Do the research regarding the school and it’s programs. You want to educate yourself regarding the program’s structure and what the culture of the school is. When you consider the amount of time and money you will be dedicating to the degree, you need to ensure there is a good fit with a program will help fulfill your aims. Whether pursuing an MBA or other master’s program, evaluate your goals in relation to the potential benefits of the program. Apply to institutions other than where you completed your undergraduate degree. A different perspective and a change of faculty is a good thing. The new environment and perspectives you will encounter will broaden how you look at things.

When is it a good time to get a graduate degree?

This question is one that I am commonly asked by my coaching clients. Some of my clients are just out of school and don’t want to break the momentum. Others have been out in the workforce for a number of years; now they are considering obtaining an advanced degree to transition into something else or move up the corporate ladder. While there are reasons for each, I am of the belief that working a few years and getting some strong professional experiences will enhance your graduate school experience. Many of the stronger programs actually require that you have work experience before attending. Equally important is the business perspective you bring to the educational experience. With professional experience comes knowledge – this will enhance the training you receive during the completion of the degree; further it will facilitate the practical application of emerging ideas in your professional life. Having previously worked for a few years might also provide you with a stronger financial footing to pay for the degree. Perhaps your employer has a program that covers some or all of the expense.

f you need a resource to help you with the application and essay preparation process ResumesDoneWrite offers a full complement of services to allow you to identify and apply to competitive programs. See us at ResumesDoneWrite.com for more information. Or, contact Debra directly at dwheatman@resumesdonewrite.com

Specific

When you define a specific goal, it is laid out before you to help you understand what you want to achieve. From there, you can begin to develop your plan of action. A critical part of goal setting is writing down what your focus is. Unless you write it down, you will likely forget and move on to something else. Writing things down makes them real and allows you to focus your efforts on taking the necessary steps to achieve success.

Measurable

Measuring your progress is important to allow you to track your growth. Therefore, you should define a set of criteria that will enable you to evaluate your success. Consider setting milestones that will allow you to review your progress at different points to realize how far you have come. This will keep you motivated and interested in the process; and it will allow you to keep setting new benchmarks.

Attainable

It is important that you set goals that are realistic. You want to be challenged but need to understand the scope of your capabilities to attain success. This does not mean that you should lower your expectations. Set your sights on a goal that will engage you and allow you to explore things out of your comfort zone. Your sense of achievement after reaching your goal will be that much more rewarding.

Rewarding

Sometimes it’s hard to maintain a strong motivation level. When you are really working hard to achieve something, the process can be slow. This can hamper your desire to forge ahead. Consider what you are working toward and give yourself mini-rewards as you go. This will help keep you focused and committed to seeing the process through to the ultimate reward and success at the end of your journey.

Timely

I know in the past I have covered information relating to setting timelines for things and how to avoid procrastinating. Setting timelines will allow you to keep pace and avoid putting things aside to pick up ‘at a later time’. Keep your focus on what you want to achieve, keep notes, and plan accordingly so that you meet your goal. It will truly be gratifying to see the final and successful results of your efforts.

Here are the top reasons why people procrastinate and how to address the issues:

Fear of Failure or Success:

You’re thinking, why would someone be fearful of success? It seems pretty clear – success is a good thing. Yes, but within that there are big things at stake. With success comes failure. It takes time, perseverance, and in a lot of cases practice to be successful. When you get there, then what? How do you maintain the momentum to keep going? Once you succeed the expectation will be that success is the norm. Take things in steps. You cannot get everything accomplished at once; and it can certainly be overwhelming to think about all of the things that need to be done to be successful. Breaking things into elements makes it easier to manage and not as daunting.

Unpleasant Projects:

How many times have you moved a project to the end of the list because it was something you really didn’t want to do? I am sure too many times to count. I am guilty as charged. Ultimately it has to be done though. Not everything you do is going to be a task that you are looking forward to. Moving it around to different spots will not make it go away. Consider doing something nice for yourself when you complete a project that you are simply dreading. Write down something you would like to do for yourself and put it in a prominent spot. It will serve as a reminder to encourage you to move ahead.

Overwhelming Tasks:

Sometimes don’t you just feel that there is so much to do; and you simply cannot begin to wrap your mind around it all? You make lists – but they never end. Tasks are crossed off and others take their place. It is easy to become overwhelmed, and then simply do nothing at all. This, of course, makes things worse; then you have more things to do and seemingly no end in sight. Consider breaking your list into pieces. You can then manage the different parts. If you simplify things into smaller components, they become easier to understand and handle.

Disorganization:

A long time ago – in my former life when I worked for a big corporation I had a co-worker who made the disorganized look like they were the pictures of Franklin Covey. She had piles – I mean piles of papers, folders, and I don’t know what else around and on her desk. If she lived in a castle, the stuff could have very well formed a moat – no doubt to ensure organization did not creep in. It did not allow her to complete things on time, that much I could tell you. Disorganization breeds poor planning, which leads to an inability to deliver on time. Keep things organized; if this means you need to keep a notebook or containers to manage ‘stuff’ – then do that. Identify a way to allow yourself to maintain order.

Ducking the Easy Win:

This one may sound counterintuitive. Why would you delay completing a task that will be easy for you? The thought process runs like this – I need to do X but I also need to do Y and Z; X is so easy I can wrap it up in five minutes, whereas Y and Z are much harder – so let me focus on Y and Z and then I can do X right at the end of the day and accomplish a whole bunch today. This is great logic except for the fact that you never get to Y or Z and by default X still remains on the list. If you have something easy to do, and it is important, then do it – it will give you a sense of accomplishment and give you much needed momentum.

I have another 5-10 examples, but I will get to them at another time …

Body language sends strong signals during the interview process. How you sit, the presentation of your head, eyes, legs, and arms all serve to convey feelings and messages. Body language sends signals regarding comfort, happiness, and nervousness, among other things. It can also communicate trust and openness. It can be a bit confusing because you don’t want to make rash decisions based on one aspect of someone’s body language. Combined though, it can serve a valuable purpose during the interview and negotiation. If your interviewer looks away a lot, crosses his arms, or leans away – those are considered defensive and disinterested cues. Similarly, good eye contact, open palms and leaning forward convey interest. These cues can help you understand how you are being perceived during the entire interview process.

Here are some high level tips on how to use Kinesics to help give you an advantage during your job search – keep in mind Kinesics is an inexact science at best – be sure to trust your judgment; oftentimes, we pick up on body cues subconsciously – don’t over-analyze:

Behavior Evaluation: During the interview process analyze try to identify the interviewers mannerisms and behaviors – especially when you start to negotiate compensation. A critical component to being able to gain the lead advantage is to be evaluating body language throughout the interview process. You will then be in a better position to quickly identify change. During the initial interview phase your interviewer might be relaxed and friendly. Look for subtle changes in body language when you start to negotiate salary, including rapid breathing, fidgeting, or increased hand gestures. Other things like throat clearing or a louder voice are indications that you might be able to gain some ground during the negotiation. Keep your eyes peeled for my next article on top X body language triggers to look for. (Insert link here)

Observing your Observer: While you don’t want to blatantly stare at someone across the table from you, it is important that you maintain friendly eye contact. Looking away will cause you to miss nonverbal cues expressed by the interviewer, resulting in your missing something that can help you negotiate better. Rather than looking away, ask a relevant question or engage in conversation that will enable you to review the person’s body language further, which will provide you with the time you need to determine your position of strength.

Smile: Smiling is one of the strongest cues we send. A real, true smile demonstrates happiness, confidence, and warmth. Use a smile throughout the interview to elucidate sincerity. Do not, under any circumstances smile throughout the entire interview. That will be perceived as ‘weird’ – as if you are not quite on the right path – or that something is wrong. A genuine smile wrinkles the corners of the eyes and changes the expression of the entire face. Fake smiles only involve the mouth and lips.

Shake Hands Like You Mean It: This does not mean that you should administer a bone-crushing shake. Give a firm shake to demonstrate professionalism – when doing so, make sure you look the interviewer in the eye and smile!

Non verbal cues play a significant role during the interview process. Your ability to evaluate yourself as well as the body language of others can give you the upper hand and establish significant value as a candidate. You might consider practicing your interview skills and having someone record the interview so that you ensure you are communicating the appropriate level of sincerity. Your effectiveness in the interview will vastly improve while allowing you to gain an understanding of how you are being perceived. Most of all relax! You will do a much better job during the entire process.

Most of the time, you have no idea that you are giving off these signals. They are quite automatic. Oftentimes you have no idea that you are conveying what you are thinking in your body language. You can exhibit some control over negative body language with improved self-awareness and practice.

Here are some negative gestures to think about and avoid:

Crossing your arms in front of you: This signals that you are resistant to ideas and not open to others’ opinions. When speaking with people – especially during an interview keep your hands in your lap. When standing, keep hands at your sides.

Looking down when speaking: Looking down is a sign that you are disinterested or feel inferior. Make sure you maintain eye contact without staring. This will let the other person subliminally know that you are interested in what they have to say. If the eyes are the window to the soul, looking at someone when you are talking to them is a strong indicator that you are engaged. Eye contact is good; staring is creepy!

Checking your watch: There is nothing that screams boredom more than the continuous checking of the time. Do not look at your watch when speaking with someone. You want to convey continued interest in what they are saying. The exchange of information should be an engaging one – not a situation where you appear to be focused on something else.

False Smiling: A smile is one of the very best ways to communicate sincerity and a friendly, approachable demeanor. Don’t force a smile or smile the entire time. That will look odd and raise questions in the mind of the person you are interacting with. A natural smile will resonate during the interview. A genuine smile involves the entire face – a fake forced smile uses only the mouth – and studies indicate that people are very good at seeing the differences.

Poor Posture: Standing up straight with your shoulders back displays confidence and self-assuredness. Slouching immediately makes you look smaller and is indicative of lack of self-confidence. Your posture serves to deliver a clear and positive message about how you should be treated. Leave a lasting positive impression with good posture.

Avoid inappropriate body language and learn how to identify it in others. Make sure you prepare and feel good about yourself to feel good about your interactions with people you know as well as people you are meeting for the first time.

It is still possible to be productive even if you insert these other miscellaneous and sundry tasks into your traditional workday. Studies have shown that every time you switch a task in the middle, it takes seven minutes to reorient yourself back to the work you were doing. So, if you change tasks unnecessarily 20 times throughout the day, you will have wasted two hours. Here’s some advice to maximizing your precious time and hopefully prevent your workday from turning into work all day and night:

Make a List: I know I keep touting the value of a list; but writing things down really does help! I promise. When I write things down it is amazing at the satisfaction I get by being able to cross things off as they are completed. Before long, I have made it to the bottom (though not always). It definitely gives me a sense of accomplishment.  The greatest thing about making a list is that it allows me to focus on one task at a time.

Use a Time Tracker: I use Time Tracker http://code.google.com/p/time-tracker-mac/, but there are hundreds if not thousands of systems that can help you track exactly how much time you waste on pointless useless tasks.  These tools allow you to monitor your tasks and projects and provide you with a “real” picture of how you spend your time. I have found this tool very useful. It has really allowed me to understand exactly how I am spending my time, and enabled me to understand where my value truly lies. Admittedly, it has taken me some time to get used to it; and quite frankly, I really did not want to use it to begin with. I insisted I knew how long it took me to write a résumé. Now, I actually know for sure.

Start with the most Difficult Tasks: People tend to procrastinate and wait until the last minute to do the more difficult things. My suggestion? Start with the things you dread most – rise a bit early. It’s just you, your bunny slippers and your gigantic cup of joe. You will get the work out of the way and be able to move on to more manageable things. One thing is for sure – you will feel a big weight lifted from your shoulders from having cleared the elephant from the room.

Issue Self-Imposed Deadlines: Get yourself a whiteboard or some other planning device and issue deadlines for the work that needs to be completed. If you see a due date for something, you will be more inclined to make it happen. Open-ended tasks are not compelling because there is nothing to force you to complete them. Dates, even self-imposed ones serve as a call to action.

Establish a Clutter-Free Environment: Years ago I worked with a woman who was actually reprimanded during her annual review; she had a workspace that was so cluttered and filled with all manner of paper and other things the entire office wondered how she got anything done. I found myself wondering what her house looked like! Her desk was a total mess. Words cannot even describe the mounds of paper. How did she find anything? This question ranked up there with the number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. A clear workspace will enable you to relax and focus on one thing at a time. Clutter is distracting; and if you are like me, your eyes drift over things as you realize something else you need to address. Keep it clean. You will absolutely be more productive.

Turn-off your Email: There is nothing more distracting than going back and forth between something you are working on and your email. Talk about adding half hour or more to a task. Focus on what you are doing and set blocks of time to handle email and phone calls. Your productivity will soar.

I have done all of these things! They truly work. One of my favorite past-times is reading classic novels. In my youth I would devour books at an alarming rate – now, not so much. Family, work and other things prevent me from reading as much as I would like. I have been known to carry my laptop upstairs at night to continue working after my kids have gone to sleep. I still do this sometimes; but more often than not now I can actually sit down for a time and read a good chunk of a book or actually watch a movie! In addition to being more productive I have also finally realized and accepted the fact that the work will be there tomorrow. I can (and do) pick up in the morning, make my new list and start again.

Why did I let the situation get to the point that I was compelled to remain home for a week? Why did I let it get to the point where I thought God! I need meds to cope with this place? I think fear had a lot to do with it – fear that I would not find another position; fear that I would have nothing to keep me occupied all day; holy crap – no job? For me? Impossible! So, I trudged on in a place where phone calls and emails would come in at all hours of the day and night, on weekends, and even when I was supposedly on ‘vacation’.

Truly I owe my change to my husband who was instrumental in changing my mindset about my then job. Things have really, really changed! I now make my own hours and the rules of engagement are established by me. I still work – all the time in fact, but LOVE what I do. Helping others understand their own choices and career paths has been highly rewarding and very successful for me.

Not happy in your job or career? Yours is the power to choose and change. You can never tell what is around the corner. Things never remain the same. Perhaps it is time to take an introspective look at your current situation and take the plunge – whatever it is. You have the power to close and open new chapters that will lead you to a path you never thought possible. It happened for me.

Thanks Jeffrey Wheatman, I owe you one.

Working in a management capacity in a hotel or restaurant requires the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. You must exhibit exceptional customer service skills and the ability to motivate a staff. A big component of the position is leveraging social skills to engage customers and generate new business. Of course, you also must be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of how to increase sales and drive profits. In this position you will no doubt come into contact with a diverse and dynamic group of people from all walks of life. There is plenty of room for advancement. Be aware though that this is not a traditional 9-5 job, and will require weekend work and extended hours.

Education: Johnson & Wales University, New England Culinary Institute,  Le Cordon Bleu Schools North America, and the Kitchen Academy are just a few of the top-ranked schools with programs dedicated to careers in the hospitality arena.

Academic training is very important; but experience is the best teacher in this field. In order to be well rounded and really develop an understanding of the expectations necessary for success, consider working in the industry early on to really give you a flavor of what it takes to prepare you for a management role within a restaurant or hotel. This practical business knowledge combined with classroom experiences will help round out your skills and reduce the learning curve once a full-time position is obtained. There is nothing like first hand experience to help you fully understand expectations.

Practical Training: To build the experience, consider getting a position as server or bartender, which will give you a strong understanding of front of house operations and customer service. It will also be important to learn what goes on behind the scenes. For that, you might consider spending some time in the kitchen. You will definitely come to understand the meaning of timeliness, and when the time comes to manage a restaurant, you will have greatly improved knowledge of what needs to happen in the kitchen to ensure a smooth running operation. Working in a hotel? Try a front desk position to gain the full customer service experience. There is a lot of troubleshooting that takes place in the role, and you will certainly develop improved problem resolution skills.

Salary Information: What can you expect to earn? There are a lot of variables when you consider that there are different disciplines within the industry overall. If you are young in the restaurant business with about two to four years of experience the average salary ranges from approximately $30,000 to $42,900; with four to six years of experience you can earn as much as $54,000; if you work in the hotel industry, after seven years the salary jumps to between $64,500 and $119,000. You can even earn well into the six figures – especially if you work for a higher end establishment and advance your knowledge of fine wine through a certificate or other programs. Naturally, where you live and the type of establishment you work for play a big role in determining salary.

Resources: EHS Hospitality Group is a well-known large company that places candidates in restaurant and hotel management positions. Read about them on the web. You can also check out Global Hospitality Executive Recruiters or Gecko Hospitality

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a graduate business degree offered by universities, which goes much deeper into the business related topics typically covered during the completion of an undergraduate program. The level of difficulty and advanced thinking required to complete an MBA is more rigorous, and will allow you to review complex topics in detail. Most MBA’s cover economics, marketing, accounting, business policy development and implementation, and strategy, among other core topics. MBA coursework also serves to promote an entrepreneurial spirit and engage participants in a variety of topics that extend into things that you probably never thought of.

Here are some things you can expect to learn from the completion of an MBA:

Extemporaneous and Public Speaking: Many people have an intense fear of speaking in public. I have friends who would rather be skewered by wild boar before they would speak in public. An MBA can help allay those fears and allow you to develop and engaging style; and more importantly, a level of comfort and confidence to speak before a crowd – any type of crowd too – large or small. Oftentimes presentations and public speaking accompany higher-level positions. An MBA is an excellent way to learn and practice the skills necessary to deftly deliver content in a public setting.

Improved Written Communications: As part of completing an MBA, there is A LOT of writing. From conducting research and analysis, to writing papers of various lengths covering myriad topics, you will no doubt improve on this very valuable skill. The professional world values the power of a well-written document; similarly, a document, business or otherwise that is well constructed, thoughtful, focused, and error-free can enhance existing relationships and win new business. MBA programs offer formalized writing instruction. You will receive constructive criticism regarding tone, content, and presentation. I, for one, think that the value derived from this aspect of an MBA is reason enough to get one! I love the written word, and am always looking for an opportunity to improve my style and content.

Time Management Skills: Do you recall being a small child in school and thinking – OH! When is this going to be over? I remember those days. Now as an adult, the days slip into weeks, the weeks to months, and the months to years all in the blink of an eye. My son, only ten complains in much the same way I did in my youth. Little does he know. The point? An MBA will help with time management skills. You have to improve in order to complete the program. The demands of your time are very stringent. The amount of work is unnerving – even thinking about it makes me somewhat uptight. Think about one person trying to build one of Egypt’s pyramids. The concentration, commitment to studying, writing and preparation are immense. You will definitely need to learn to ‘let go’ a bit. If you are a consummate perfectionist, this experience will teach you that nothing in life is perfect.

Analytical Skills: Need to improve critical and creative thinking processes? An MBA will definitely teach you imperative analytical skills to improve your effectiveness in the workplace. Case studies and building financial models is just a couple of examples of things you will do that will hone much needed analytical competencies.

Networking: One of the benefits of working toward an MBA is the relationships that are formed with fellow students and professors. In fact, it is very probable that you will interact with people and create a strong network that will enable you to identify business opportunities from those relationships. If you are thinking of using the network of connections and / or an alumni association to further your professional aspirations, it is best to target top-tier school.

Career Change: Looking to change careers? An MBA will definitely provide you with very useful skills and competencies that you might not already have. If you presently work in a highly technical arena the complement of business training will open up new job opportunities.

Regardless of your goals, an MBA will allow you to broaden your horizons and provide an in-depth look at the intricacies of business. Advancing education is always a good thing. If you have the time and resources, and a list of strong reasons to get an MBA, it is sure to be an engaging, eye-opening, and productive experience.

In the past, it might have taken some extensive work to find a company that looked for a multitude of highly-qualified women for these roles. However, if you’re a woman trying to enter or re-enter a technical field, there is a bit of good news out there for you.

Programs are Sprouting Up

The first bit of good information is that there are a few small, yet innovative return-to-work programs popping up in the science, technology, and engineering fields that are designed to help women get the jobs they want. The main reason they’re popping up is because many employers are expecting a talent shortage due to high quit rates, especially among experienced women.

As a result, General Electric, Honeywell, and MIT have launched programs to offer women engineers, technicians and scientists opportunities to jump-start their careers. While some of the programs only provide training, coaching, referrals, or networking opportunities, some go one step further to provide actual job opportunities through training or mentoring guidance.

Other Ways to Enter Technical Fields

If you don’t have access to these programs in your area but are still interested in entering or re-entering one of these fields, there are options available – you just have to do a little work to get there. For instance, by keeping up with trends in your field, you can learn of new technologies to master, as well as any other education you may need to acquire. Also, it doesn’t hurt to network with employers and other workers at companies you want to work for – the more you put yourself out there, the better chance you have of being notice. And of course, it’s important to polish your resume seeing that all of yours skills mean nothing if you can’t get hired for the job.

How to Stay Motivated in These Fields

One of the major factors that results in many women deciding to leave these highly-technical fields is extreme job pressure, very long hours, family responsibilities and feelings of isolation. In fact, around 20-percent of highly-qualified scientists, technicians and engineers are said to quit mid-career due to feelings of discouragement.

However, this does not have to be you. Many women have wanted to give up because they kept their issues to themselves. Instead of taking this route, it’s good to express to your employer any feelings of isolation you have so that you can find out ways to become more a part of the group. If long hours are an issue, there may be a way to work with your manager to cut time. In other words, there are possible solutions to your problems if you make the determination to address them until they’re solved.

By educating yourself on the opportunities that are available to you as a woman in a technical field, you will open yourself up to great career options. So if you’re not shy about putting yourself out there, you’ll have the technical career you’ve dreamed of in no time.

So if you’re looking to come out of retirement, or simply want to switch jobs and are at an age that some might consider older, don’t put yourself out of the game. Instead, take on a few of these strategies to help you market yourself so that you can obtain the same great opportunities as your younger counterparts.

Remember, You’re Experienced

Everyone knows that as an older worker, you’re coming to the table with years of experience that someone out of college could only dream of. But your level of experience goes way beyond just years of responsibility. You also have life experience.

You may have been through difficult periods in your life where your primary goal was to keep a roof over your family’s heads and food on the table. So now that a recession is upon us, to you, this is old news – been there, done that. When marketing yourself to a prospective employer, it helps to note the level of work and life experience you hold. Employers can appreciate an emotionally stable mind in the midst of times that can leave fragile souls weaker than ever before.

You’re Confident and Self-Sufficient

Unlike a younger counterpart who may just be starting out in the work world and is feeling a bit overwhelmed and under-confident, you have been in the midst of new challenges multiple times throughout your life. You know how to adapt quickly to a new environment, don’t need constant feedback and reassurance that you’re a good worker, and aren’t too intimidated to reach out to people you don’t know to ask for help or begin projects. You understand that when the job needs to get done, it needs to get done – and you don’t let fears get in the way of doing just that. You’ve seen too much to have inhibitions at this stage in your life – definitely a great asset to market to any prospective employer.

Learning and Being a Team Player is No Problem

One concern of employers looking at older candidates is whether that candidate will be easy to train and work with, or stuck in his or her ways. It is important to assure any prospective employer that you are incredibly flexible, love to learn new things and enjoy working with others. You can use examples in your resume, cover letter, and interview of new technologies you’ve used and how you were successful in group environments in the past. You want to make sure the employer understands you will not be difficult as you may be stereotyped to be. Instead, you are the exact opposite and look forward to making a substantial difference in their company.

Applying for a new job in your later years can be as easy as it was when you were young if you market yourself well. So don’t be intimidated. Instead, take control and show them what they’d be missing if they didn’t hire you.

Some of the businesses that have been around longer are handling the need to let employees go by asking them to take a voluntary buyout package, which usually involves a hefty compensation package. Depending on the person, this could be good or bad. If you have been, or are about to be, offered a voluntary buyout package, take some time to learn the pros and cons. This way, you won’t feel side-swiped by the request.

Are They Offering Enough Money?

Not that you’re setting out to be greedy, but they are asking you to leave the company, right? This means you need to make sure that you and your family will be well taken care of until you can find another job. Some companies offer employees two week’s pay for each year of service. For some, this adds up quite nicely. But does it measure up to the amount you could receive if you just stuck around and retired (that is, if your job will last that long)?

If you really think that leaving might be the best option, but you’re not sure if you like the buyout amount they’re offering, you may want to inquire about additional money owed. This might include making sure that you have money equivalents for unused vacation and sick days thrown into the package. Depending on what you have leftover, this could beef up your package quite nicely.

Will You Lose Your Seniority?

Another question to ask yourself when contemplating whether to take the buyout package is will you lose your seniority? Some companies will offer a large sum to employees they would like to buyout. But the downside to that is that when the employee tries to acquire another job, they will have to start at ground zero. For someone who has put in over 25 years at one establishment, this prospect can be very disheartening. This is especially true when taking into consideration that your job downsizing may mean the rest of the industry may be doing the very same thing. You want to make sure that the money you receive will be worth losing your seniority at best, and eliminating your prospect of a new job at worst.

Is It Worth Sticking Around?

Finally, before you turn down a buyout package flat, think about whether it’s worth sticking around. If the company is going out of business soon, and stock prices are falling, you may want to snatch the amount they offer before you lose your chance at such a high amount in the future. Determining the fate of the company will take some research on your part. But it will be well worth it to gather the insight you’ll need to make the best decision for your financial well-being.

Before you agree to accept any type of voluntary buyout package, you will want to consult with an attorney. An attorney can help you decide whether leaving is worth it. And also show whether the numbers that the company is offering (which may seem impressive) are really enough.

But there are some careers that are easier to transition into than others. So if you’re looking for a change, but don’t quite have an idea of what the change should be, take a look these career options.

Jobs Resistant to Offshoring

While your career transition should have more to do with you wanting to make new and exciting contributions in another realm, and less to do with money, in the wake of a suffering economy, you should always remain financially realistic. There are some jobs (i.e. auto industry positions) that are simply not stable at this point. However, there are some that are more resistant to bankruptcy or offshoring. In your search to find a new career path that cultivates your interests, it doesn’t hurt to browse careers like these.

Some jobs that fit into this category include genetic counselor, mediator, curriculum/training specialist, and user experience specialist. The same goes for ghostwriters. Any business that wants brochures, newsletters, TV or radio ads, or websites and would like their material written by someone needs a ghostwriter. If you have a passion for writing, that someone could be you.

Non-College Careers

There are many non-college careers that are now being considered great transitional careers. Why? Well, for starters, many of the professional jobs are being sent overseas for offshoring, leaving not much for recent college grads. Also, Baby Boomers who have recently suffered huge blows from the economy – many even losing most of their retirement in the financial/401k crisis – have had to return to old jobs or find new ones. As a result, many blue-collar jobs are now in demand. A few that may spark your interest include firefighting and plumbing, as well as becoming a hairstylist, locksmith, and biomedical equipment technician.

Healthcare

If your desire to contribute to society falls into the realm of making unhealthy people healthy again, then you might want to consider switching over to healthcare. Because there are many more aging Baby Boomers, as well as a larger number of immigrants needing healthcare, there is more of a requirement for help. This is especially true in the areas of patient advocacy, health informatics, and wellness coaching. So if making a difference in this way is ideal, you may want to consider traveling this route.

Of course, this is only an introduction to the possibilities transitioning into a new career can bring. You will definitely want to conduct more research, not just on what options will make the most sense financially, but also emotionally. But after creating a list of ideas that truly interest you, you may find that these or other easy-to-transition-into careers fall in line with your agenda. So continue to study what’s out there, choose wisely, and carefully transition your way into the new career of your dreams.

For many people, the route to starting their dream career will vary, but there are a few steps anyone can take to set them on the right path. Let’s look at a few …

Start Where You Are

Whether you’re working for a temporary agency or at a job you’ve been at for years, if you want to step into the career you’re really interested in, you can do it. Many suggest that a good way to get this done is to start right where you are, even if it’s not ultimately where you want to end up.

Why? Starting at your current job helps propel you to your intended career because you can easily take advantage of advanced roles and responsibilities. For example, you may be working as a customer service representative but are very good at working on computers, and actually carry a degree in relation to information technology. You notice that your computer is operating differently and realize only a few tweaks are needed to enhance its performance. You bring this to the attention of your supervisor who calls a technician, from whom the few tweaks suggested are identical. It is then that you can reveal your education. With this type of disclosure, or the nerve to inquire about other additional roles and responsibilities, you may find that your desired career can start right where you are.

Constantly Update Your Resume

This is probably one of the most forgotten tasks among individuals wanting to step into a career – but it’s an important one. Anytime you take on any new tasks, it is crucial that you update your resume immediately. This way you can better articulate what you’ve accomplished because it’s fresh in your mind. Also, by updating as it happens, you can not only pick and choose the accomplishments that best suit any new job you’re applying for, but you can also analyze the list to see what roles and responsibilities are missing from that list that you can take on to better your chances of qualifying for your career.

Study the Field

When trying to step into your desired career, it’s a good idea to study the field your career is nestled in. Ways that you can study include looking at who is hiring and firing, what educational background is required, and which jobs will best get you to your peak goal within your career. Some resources available to help you follow trends include trade publications, newspapers, and even web blogs.

Stepping into the career you most want is something you can do if you take the right steps. So study your field, take on new roles and responsibilities at your current job, and update your accomplishments constantly. Your hard work can take you straight to the career you want sooner than you think.

With the economy changing as quickly as it is, you can’t afford to not know what the latest trends are. Including whether companies are laying off or hiring, as well as what fields are requiring that you learn new technologies. So how can you stay abreast of what’s happening in your field? Let’s look at some sure-fire ways to get this done …

Read Industry Reports and Trade Publications

One way that you can make sure you always know what’s going on in your industry is to read industry reports. You can read reports about what’s going on specifically in your field, as well as reports about what’s going on in the entire workforce. By doing this, you can know if your industry is dwindling, or check on industries paralleling yours that you may be able to move into.

There are a variety of industry reports you can look at to find out what’s going on. For example, Execunet.com offers studies on hiring trends, information on what fields are best to enter, and much more related to top-level executive employment. Another industry reporting example is the Food Marketing Institute, which functions on and offline and offers a variety of surveys, facts and figures, and more through their website and quarterly reports regarding profitability, inventory productivity, and labor costs in the grocery and supermarket industry. Also, you can visit websites like ValuationResources.com that offer dozens of reports related to specific industries. There are many more resources available to keep you informed. You just have to make strides to find out what they are.

Read the Newspaper

Reading the newspaper may sound old fashioned, but believe it or not, it is still a great resource for discovering and staying abreast of industry information. Reading the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the main and business sections of your local major newspaper can give you great insight into the trends of certain industries, as well as specific companies.

If you don’t want to spend the money to subscribe to a newspaper, you can probably visit your local newspaper’s website for information. However, to get in-depth access with the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times websites, you must subscribe online.

Join Professional Associations

Whether you’re joining a local professional association, the Chamber of Commerce, or an online message board, you can find great in-depth information about your field and the workforce as a whole by joining other professionals in your field. It is through these affiliations that you can make necessary professional connections, link up with recruiters in your field, and simply keep your hand on the pulse of what’s going on in your industry.

Staying informed in your industry is beneficial whether you’re looking for a new job or not. By always knowing what’s going on, you can become a major player in your industry, making a difference in your life and others.