In Spite Of

by Carol Camerino

 

I wrote this at a gathering of some AMAZING writer-friends (Janet Cargill, Kathy Kane, Julie Genovese and Denise Williams). As the self-proclaimed non-creative writer in the group (non-fiction/journalistic style is more my game), I admit to feeling intimidated as I put pen to paper once our writing prompt was shared.  No one was more surprised than I to discover I had written a poem! 

I thought I'd share it here as the message of hope, redemption and the promise of tomorrow relate to all areas of life - including job search and careers.

 

In spite of…

In spite of…

It’s dark.

The path is unclear; you’re unsure of where to start.

No matter that this day wasn’t what you had hoped it would be.

The stars will shine tonight.

Their light in the velvet night sky like the

spray of soap bubbles, ready to clear the remnants away and
leave a fresh new canvas awaiting what's next.

What a gift these stars are, reminders that their
glimmer means you get to start anew.

Yes, tomorrow IS a new day.

“Hello stars!” you  might say tonight. “Work your magic and usher in my next chance, my new opportunity, my tomorrow.”

When you wake, the stars will be gone.
Their sparkle, magic and power now dissolved into the new
blank slate that is today.

In spite of…

Three Reasons To Attend Conferences - Even On Your Own Dime

I’m a complete and total conference geek. Name tag proudly worn, attendance at every event/session/coffee break; yep, that’s me!

As a solopreneur (read: money for attending these comes out of my pocket – literally!), I look forward to conferences and conventions as opportunities to connect with colleagues, learn about emerging trends, and expand my skill set.

I understand not all share this enthusiasm. 

In fact, while at the National Resume Writers' Association  conference this past week, I hopped onto the elevator with my attendee tag looped proudly around my neck like it was a sparkly necklace straight from Tiffany’s. 

A gentleman in the elevator spied the name tag, rolled his eyes and asked in a blended groan/sigh,  “At a conference?” (Cue co-conspiring expression of exasperation from said gentleman who was then clearly awaiting my equally annoyed “You don’t have to tell me, brother!” eye roll).

“Yes!” I cheerfully replied.  “I LOVE conferences, don’t you?”

He looked about as perplexed and confused as if I had entered the elevator holding hands with ET.  

"NO!!!" he guffawed, as I watched fear and distrust creep into his face. Before I could respond, we arrived at his floor where he made a hasty retreat before I was able to share more maniacal rantings such as "I love to learn!" and "I really love my work".

As I continued on the elevator, I laughed to myself...but then got to thinking that this might be how some job seekers feel when I mention conferences, trainings, and conventions as important job search components. 

While I could list a dozen reasons why I love these events and why I encourage job seekers to consider them, I'll share just 3 here for your consideration.  

1. You can significantly boost your professional competencies. Continually expanding one’s skill set and keeping on top of emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities helps to position job seekers for success. Considering the cost of formal training programs, these opportunities can be wildly cost effective. The enhancement of your skill set and career marketability will be priceless.

2. You get to share with and learn from colleagues. How do others in your field handle various situations? What are the pros and cons of these options? What do others think of your ideas? Gathering this information on your own might be time-consuming and intimidating. These programs, though, are like the proverbial office water cooler, only better! Most of the time, colleagues are happy to generously share their strategies, thoughts and insights while also learning from you. You’ll walk away with new ideas that can add value to your job search campaign in the form of connections, interview material, tips, and possibly even job leads!

3. Your motivation and enthusiasm get a solid boost.  May I share a story for this one? At this recent event, the keynote speakers included Susan Whitcomb, Dr. Richard Feller, Kirsten Vernon and Heather Wieshlow. Each one of these high-profile and extremely accomplished professionals presented compelling and thought-provoking information that made me even more proud of and excited about the work I do. Work sessions presented by generous colleagues rounded out the 3-day conference. I'm now back to work feeling enthused and recharged.  For job seekers, this added boost of enthusiasm can be a differentiator as you're compared to other candidates. 

And here’s one more bonus reason:

           

4. Your network will expand exponentially.  If ‘working the room’ is just about your least favorite thing to do, you should know that these programs are a kinder, gentler way to begin to meet people.  At each session, you can start with just introducing yourself to the person you’re sitting next to.  Some conversation starters might be “What’s your greatest takeaway from this program up to now?”, “Do you have a favorite speaker?” or “Tell me about your work/company/client base…”.  Note: you’re not asking for a job.  This is about relationship building – the best way to network. 

In this setting, you get access to pros at all levels in your industry as you chat over coffee during breaks, exchange business cards to follow up with later, and even make some great first impressions!

In the past, I’ve received consulting work and client referrals from networking connections at events like these. And I’ve gladly made introductions and shared resources, contacts, and opportunities (networking is a two-way street – it’s most effective when when both giving and receiving).  At this week’s conference, for example, I met new colleagues whom are among the best and brightest in my field that I’ll be sure to keep in touch with, discussed a possible collaboration with another writer/coach, and made an accountability pact with yet another to support our common goal achievement.  Pretty fantastic, don’t you think?!?

As you fine tune your strategic job search and career plan, consider these events. Even though you may be investing time and resources in attending, you can leverage these opportunities to maximize your ROI (return on investment) in support of your goals.

In support of your success,

Carol Camerino, CCMC, CTTCC

Job Search Strategist and Resume Writer
www.LookingForTheOnRamp.com

Carol@LookingForTheOnRamp.com

More on Music and Your Job Search

I knew it!! 

Your playlist CAN change your life... 

and it's the premise of a new book by brain-computer systems expert Don DuRousseau and Drs. Galina Midlin and Joseph Cardillo called  Your Playlist Can Change Your Life (Sourcebooks, 2012).  The trio has collaborated to share their expertise on brain research and performance and how music impacts how we think, feel and act.

Recently, I wrote about music to inspire job seekers (http://www.lookingfortheonramp.blogspot.com/2011/06/music-to-job-search-by.html).  My recommendations included tunes that I find inspiring and uplifting, either because of lyrics, melody or both.  It turns out there is actually a physiological connection between music and our brains and bodies that has to do with the song's beats per minute, brainwaves and even lyrics. And according to the authors of Your Playlist Can Change Your Life, there are ways to harness the power of music to increase its impact and boost your performance on various tasks.

The authors' website has lots of great suggestions for playlists for organizing, feeling better and even increasing your alertness.  My own ipod has playlists for creating (mostly instrumentals), writing (heavy on Joni Mitchell - her phrasing and imagery clear the pathway from my brain to the paper like no other), and walking (high energy tunes to keep me moving fast).  I plan to incorporate some of the strategies from the book to build even better playlists!

How about making your very own job search playlists?  Consider creating 3:  one for when you're working at your computer, one for listening to when you're on your way to interviews, meetings and networking events, and another soundtrack of sorts to play while you're visualizing your career success.

Happy listening!!

All the best,
Carol
http://www.lookingfortheonramp.com/
twitter: @OnRampJobCoach
facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Looking-for-the-On-Ramp-Job-Seekers/161075907266538

Great Advice From HBR Blogger Jodi Glickman On Your First Job

If I had a dollar for every job seeker who harangued, gnashed teeth and agonized over accepting his/her first job, I'd be writing this from the lakeside dock at my Adirondack mountain retreat house.  Suffice it to say, I'm neither in the Adirondacks nor near a lake.

For new grads, a first job is the one taken after graduation.  But for moms returning to work, a first job can be the one she takes as she on ramps back to work and career.  In both examples, the first job decision can cause stress and uncertainty as job seekers ask themselves questions like, "Is this THE right job?" and "What will my future path be?"

In Jodi Glickman's recent post on the Harvard Business Review Blog Network, she explains that getting in the game is more important than the position you play.  Every job opportunity has inherent value in that you are learning, networking, honing skills and informing your internal interest/aptitude gauge. 

With today's job climate, the "numero uno, perfecto, match made in heaven" job opportunity can be elusive.  So rather than waiting for the job equivalent of Willy Wonka's golden ticket, broaden your horizons and be creative.  Think of the opportunity potential of a particular job rather than the obvious connections to your ultimate career goal. 

As for career goals, Glickman shares that a recent poll of 100 women leaders indicated that only 3% were on the same career path as the one they started travelling down upon graduation.  Hmm...kind of puts the gnashing and agonizing into perspective, huh?

Whatever your first job is, be the best (fill in the blank) you can be, taking advantage of all opportunities and networking as you go.  Get some positive momentum going, and you'll be off!!  Dr. Seuss, of course, says it best, "Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!" (from Oh! The Places You'll Go!)

All the best,
Carol
http://www.lookingfortheonramp.com/

Creating Space & Returning to Work

Create spaciousness so creativity can breath... 

so says my friend Claire O'Connor on a recent Enchanted Life facebook post.

Claire and her husband Ken help people live authentic, inspired and creative lives.  And this 6 word post is a pretty powerful mantra.   

When I originally read it, I was particularly struck by its application for job seekers, including moms returning to work.  Here's my slight redux, tweaked ever so slightly for my dear and wonderful job seekers: Create spaciousness so opportunities can appear.  

It's certainly not a necessity to declutter and organize in order to find a job and return to work.  But what I know is that it can sometimes make the difference between finding success and feeling stuck in place, with little positive momentum being gained.

What's in your environment that is creating a drag on you?  It could be a cluttered closet, an overburdened calendar, an overflowing junk drawer, or a car that is filled to the brim with the detritus of everyday life.  Whatever it is, the overall effect is the same.  It zaps energy and stops momentum in its tracks.  It's kind of like running in the pool...lots of energy expended, but not much distance covered.

Compare that to the zippy feeling of being organized and in control.  Ahhh...feel like you can rule the world, no?  

During job clubs, I sometimes give a take home assignment (or 'homeplay' to use the words of another wonderful friend and coach, Sierra J. Sullivan) to tackle an area of life that is cluttered or disorganized as a prep step for on ramping back to work. 

The result is often unanimous, with participants bubbling through the door sharing how amazing it feels to finally tackle something they had been putting off.  And by removing a negative, cluttered zone from their day to day, they've created space.  Perhaps that space is for creativity, self care or employment possibilities; things that couldn't enter because there simply wasn't enough space.

So, a challenge:  focus on 1 area and 1 area only to de-clutter or organize by the end of the weekend. Put it on your to do list and block out time on your calendar.  It doesn't have to be photo-shoot ready.  It just needs to be better than it was before - more airy and more spacious to create space for whatever your heart desires.  

If your project is a biggie (basement organizing - that's what I'm working on!), set a smaller goal for yourself that can be accomplished between now and the weekend.  For example, perhaps you'll just tackle going through 3 boxes or organizing holiday decorations.  

I'd love to hear how it goes.  Email me if you'd like to share!

All the best,

Carol

Volunteering and Your Next Career Move

Volunteering...that is, donating your time for a cause you care about and receiving no financial remuneration in return, can actually yield great career benefits.

Strategic volunteering is something I've been recommending to clients for quite a while.  And Careerbuilder writer Debra Auerbach's article, "Turn Your Volunteer Work Into a Career" (http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/10/living/volunteer-cb/index.html?hpt=li_c1) explains lists some of the same points that I share in my workshops and during client coaching.


If you'd like to learn more about strategic volunteering or aren't sure about how to get started, email me at carol@lookingfortheonramp.com. 

Music To Job Search By

Today I heard a song that made me stop and take a serious listen. 

Shania Twain, a mom making an amazing comeback and finding her on ramp back to her music career, has written what could very well be THE anthem for women transitioning back to the world of work.

Today Is Your Day is a solid dose of inspiration with some real-life insight added in for good measure.  Shania's voice is better than ever, and the wisdom in her words has legitimate street cred given her journey. It is SOOO worth adding this song to your playlist.

Here is a snippet of the song from Shania Twain's series on the O Network.  It's an acoustic version with an added bonus:  Gladys Knight adds some impromptu back up singing.

While Today Is Your Day is a new favorite, I'll share a couple of other songs that help me get going when I'm losing momentum or just can't seem to kick it in gear.

Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield:  My friend Denise suggested this to me when I was commiserating about writer's block and analysis paralysis.  Thanks, Denise!!!  I've added it here because for women returning to work after a significant time away, their career future is unwritten and presents a fantastic opportunity to claim their new story, set new goals, and boldly begin their new journey.

Hammer And A Nail by The Indigo Girls:  My favorite line - "The sweetest part is acting after making a decision...."  Yes!!!  When women decide to look for their on ramp back to work, it is indeed sweet to act on their comeback - research jobs, polishing skills, writing resumes, and developing their job search strategies.

Firework by Katy Perry: A mantra of mine - go ahead, show 'em what you ARE worth!!  Because returning to work can be scary for women who off ramped some time ago, confidence often takes a hit. Once they realize their talent, wisdom, life experience and  uniqueness, and really understand the  value this offers prospective employers, they begin to sparkle!  Wonderful!!

This One's For The Girls by Martina McBride: Girl power, country style, big and bold. I defy you to try and NOT sing along. 

What songs inspire you to get up get moving? Please share!!  There's nothing like listening to great music for some extra mojo!!

All the best,
Carol
www.lookingfortheonramp.com

Timing IS Everything

Timing is everything...


It's been said that finding a job IS a job. And whomever said it first was right!

Deciding to return to work is a huge decision for many women. But it's really just the beginning of an exciting and wonderful new journey. Finding the on-ramp requires that you carve out designated job readiness and job search time.

What?!?

You may be thinking about how busy you are already and wondering how to cram more to dos into your day. You're not alone. It is a challenge at first...but it's essential to finding a job as well as great practice for getting your family ready for your return to work and the changes this inevitably brings to the family.

If you've made the decision to return to work, take a look at your calendar and begin protecting blocks of time that you will dedicate to the process. The amount of time you'll need depends on a variety of factors and is unique to your situation. I suggest starting out slowly...perhaps you'll dedicate just an hour or two weekly to start, using the time to read some great articles or conducting online research.

Once you begin to put some structure around your process, you can add time and gain additional momentum.

It's all very exciting...wonderful... and a bit unnerving, perhaps....But I'm here to help. Visit my website for information about my services and upcoming programs.


Best,
Carol

An Anti-Aging Treatment....for your resume!?!?

A great resume is like an investment wardrobe piece - classic and timeless.  It doesn't scream an era or look out of style. 

If you created your on-ramp/back to work resume using the same writing tips from back in the day, chances are your resume is out of style.  If so, your resume may be ready for an anti-aging facial of sorts. 

Here are 2 resume renewal treatments that can give your resume an updated look for a 21st century job search:

1.  Be Objective About Your Objective:  We all learned that objectives should talk about what we are looking for...advancement potential, room to grow, yada yada yada.  Today, it's no longer 'all about me.'  Organizations are looking for what you can do for THEM, not how they can help YOU.  Rephrase your resume objective to highlight what you bring to the table.  Use keywords for your target market AND the job posting. 

2. One Size Does NOT Fit All:  Customizing resumes is essential.  A generic resume that tries to promote your skills and abilities for any and all potential jobs just doesn't work.  Tweak your resume to match what the prospective employer is looking for.  I help my clients create a master resume for each of their target areas, and then teach them how to make slight changes depending upon a job posting or company profile.  This way, they're not starting over each time.  Rather, they're making small changes that take their resume from good to GREAT!

For more ideas, check out Does Your Resume Make You Look Old on CNN Money.

All the best,
Carol

Job Search Wisdom From A Classic Children's Story

Ruth Krauss' The Carrot Seed tells the journey of a little boy and his gardening adventure. Said boy plants a carrot seed and waits for the magic to happen. Despite some familial pessimism about whether the seed will actually develop into anything, the boy dutifully tends his garden; watering, weeding and watching.  When there are no signs of growth, what does the boy do? Well, he keeps watering, weeding and watching.  Eventually, a sprout appears and the boy is ultimately rewarded with a rather tasty-looking carrot!  Ahh...success :-)

I loved sharing this book with my kids, and used it in my classroom when I taught preschool.  It never failed to open discussions beyond the actual story.  The Carrot Seed is about so much more than gardenting or planting.  It's about solidarity of purpose, resilience, delayed gratification, power of focus & intention, and faith.

These principles also happen to be integral to a successful journey back to work.  As a Comeback Mom, you spend time writing and customizing resumes, creating cover letters, updating skills and knowledge, networking.... Like the boy in Krauss' classic story, you may not immediately see any evidence of progress. And family and friends may not provide you with the encouragement you desire.

But...stay the course.  Pace yourself, maintain your stamina, and keep on keeping on.  The boy in the story didn't plant the seed, water it once, and sit back waiting.  He continued to tend his garden, even when he couldn't see results.  And you'll continue to move forward with your job search strategies, gathering insights, networking, polishing skills, and possibly reaching out for assistance in the form of workshops, job clubs, or coaching, even when signs of progress are not visible.

You will eventually see results. And, with perseverence and patience, your garden will bloom, too.

All the best,
Carol

Stand Out In The Crowd - How To Get HR's Attention

FACT:  Some HR people receive dozens, maybe even hundreds, of resumes for job openings.

This begs the question of how to make yourself stand out in the crowd.  It goes without saying that your resume needs to be in tip top shape. But the truth is, at least some of the resumes that HR reviews in response to a vacancy will look as great as yours...and possibly even better. 

So how exactly can you gain an upper hand at the beginning of the hiring process?  I recently heard of an applicant who differentiated herself by going a bit above and beyond, and very nicely allowed her resume to stand out.  How'd she do it? She sent along a reference letter that detailed her accomplishments and successes along with what made her a great employee. 

One of the reasons this worked in securing her an all-important interview slot is that the letter took a bit of the guess factor out of the equation.  The hiring person had actual documentation that she has accomplished all that her resume claims.  And a letter of recommendation expands upon gifts and talents beyond what is put on a standard resume. 

Put yourself in the place of a hiring pro faced with the prospect of screening dozens of resumes for one job.  Let's say you ended up with 15 potential candidates who possessed the skill set you are looking for.  How would you pare the list to a reasonable number to interview?  Chances are, if the resume with the reference letter was among the 15, it would end up in the 'Yes' interview pile. 

All the best,
Carol

Women Returning to Work and the Third Billion

While in an airport this weekend on my way home from a conference, I picked up a copy of Booz & Co.'s Summer 2010 Strategy + Business issue.  By the time I was midway through the article that began on page 8, "The Third Billion," I knew I had to share it with you.  The third billion refers to the number of women who will enter the global workplace over the next 10 years with significant, if not earth-changing, impact, and the authors calculate that 47 million of them live in North America, western Europe and Japan.

Having spent the weekend thinking about how women returning to the workforce can be such a positive force for helping to turn things around, I was struck by authors DeAnne Aguirre's and Karim Sabbaugh's analysis. They conclude the article by writing, "The creativity of the Third Billion may provide the world with an unprecedented resource for driving economic growth and improving the quality of life over the next decade....For leaders, the next step is to recognize the value of this population of women and the contribution they can make."

Pretty great, don't you think?

I recommend reading the The Third Billion in its entirety.

All the best,
Carol

Online Applications - the agony....

Question:  I’m looking to return to work.  I've noticed that some companies have online applications.  Do I need to fill these out, or can I just mail my resume and cover letter to their HR department?  These online forms take so much time...UGH!!


Answer:  This is a question that someone recently asked in one of my workshops. As a mom returning to the workforce, you’re probably going to be visiting a variety of job sites and company websites.  Often, there will be an online application of some sort that needs to be submitted.


Yes, I agree -- these can take a significant amount of time and the frustration factor is sizable!! 

You’ll want to follow the company’s procedures for applicants, though. While online applications are sometimes cumbersome, unwieldy, and time consuming, circumventing the official procedures can result in your resume getting tossed. Once you’ve done what is required, you can always send a well-done cover letter and resume via snail mail or email, referring to your online application.   One major caveat...ensure that you are submitting your information to a reputable and bona fide employer before proceeding (see link to Boston Globe's slide deck below).


Tip for on ramping: To make online applications a bit easier, create a reference sheet with commonly requested information already detailed (past jobs, responsibilities, dates, degrees, certificates, references, etc.). This way, all you’ll need to do is refer to the sheet for much of the application. No need to keep recreating the wheel!  The Boston Globe's Tips for Completing Online Applications slide show is filled with great information and worth the site visit!



All the best,


Carol

The Truth About Stay at Home Moms

The Truth About Stay At Home Moms

Show me a picture of a stay at home mom and I’ll say “Check her odometer!!” The phrase, you see, is a complete oxymoron.

Not one woman I know who has ‘stayed home,’ really did. While we may have decided to off ramp from career paths, many of us applied our business and project management skills to new venues. For moms who ‘stayed home,’ we accomplished lots of things: served on boards of directors of non profits, volunteered as officers of PTOs and PTAs, consulted part-time, volunteered in ministry work, used project management skills in logistical and financial planning for our homes,….the list truly is endless!

How do I know about this? Because I was there in the trenches alongside you! I’ve seen how hard you work and how smart you are. I know what you have to offer to the world of work. Your work ethic is unparalleled, your ability to multi-task…well, let’s just say you are one of the originators of the movement, and your teamwork skills are about as good as they get. In other words, YOU ROCK!

So, as you begin to create your resume and plan for going back to work, consider all that you’ve been doing ‘at home.’ We may have some teaching to do, helping companies and organizations understand how our achievements ‘at home’ translate into valuable workplace skills. But once we begin to show them what we’ve got, they’ll be clamoring for other comeback moms to join their ranks!

Please keep me posted on your progress!! I’d love to begin highlighting some success stories in future posts.

All the best,
Carol

Savvy Sobriquets...Email Handles for Job Seekers

Momma4, tennismom1, and gemini1968 seemed like great choices for your email handle.

But now that you're on ramping, a mom returning to work, email names like these can land your resume and cover email in the spam or delete folders of the HR gatekeeper faster than a coach passenger trying to use the first class lavatory gets turned back at the curtain!

There is a pretty easy solution for getting a more professional sounding email. Create a new account with one of the free email service providers such as gmail, yahoo, and hotmail. Check out http://email.about.com/od/awards/ss/The_Best_In_Email_2010_The_Reader_s_Choice_Awards.htm (click on Top 17 free email acounts article) for descriptions of some of the popular options that are available.

When you create your new account, you'll be asked for your new username or email ID. Think about something professional, something that will be easy to identify you as, well, you. Consider using a combination of your name, something like jane.Doe, j.doe, doe.j, or doe.jane.


Having a professional email name increases your chance for success on several levels. Plus, it's a quick and easy to do that gets you closer to returning to work!

All the best,

Carol

The Secret You Shouldn't Keep

Who knows that you’re looking for the career on ramp and planning to re-enter the world of work? If you’ve decided to keep mum until you’ve accepted an offer, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

An important strategy for job hunting in this brave, new world is NETWORKING. In other words, it’s not always what you know…but who you know. If you don’t let everyone know you’re interested in going back to work, your job search will be a bit like trying to run a marathon in pumps. You could conceivably cross the finish line, but it’s gonna take you a bit longer!

Remember the Faberge Organics shampoo commercial from the 70s? The one where I’ll tell two friends, and they’ll tell two friends, and so on, and so on, and so on? That’s what will happen with you and looking for a job.

By getting the word out that you are actively looking for a job, you will exponentially expand your network and increase your chances of landing a job.

So…who are you going to tell today?