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

The Art of Strategic Volunteering and Finding a Job - How Donating Time Can Help Moms Return to Work

Exciting News:  I have developed a 30 minute teleseminar on The Art of Strategic Volunteering and Finding a Job and will be presenting it this Wednesday, May 19th, at 1 pm EST as part of Tory Johnson's Waggleforce May Marathon career teleseminars series! 

The calls are free and details can be found at http://womenforhire.com/may_marathon_for_career_success .  While you're there, check out the other great topics being offered throughout the rest of May.  I've listened in on a few and am happy to say that my Waggleforce Job Leader colleagues are doing a fantastic job sharing key insights and information for job seekers.

Please join me on Wednesday as I talk about how moms looking to return to work can use strategic volunteering to polish their skills, update their resumes, build their network, and boost their confidence....all essential elements of staging a successful comeback to the world of work.  And all of this is accomplished while helping further an important cause or organization!  Now that's what we call a 'win-win!' 

For You on Mother's Day

Recently, a friend shared a link to a youtube video that she thought I would really enjoy.  It was an author doing a reading of her new book, a memoir on motherhood.  Enjoy it I did!  And it got me thinking about another book I had recently read based on an online review I had read.  Both the book and the video shared interesting and poignant perspectives on what being a mom is all about. 

With Mother's Day just a few days away, I decided to depart from my regular postings on re-entering the world of work.  Instead, I wanted to give you a little gift.  So...go make a cup of fresh tea or coffee, get comfortable, and enjoy the next 3 video clips....one is the clip a friend sent me, one is from an author whose newest book I've enjoyed so much, and the other one features one of our dearest national treasures...

Dr. Maya Angelou's Letter to My Daughter is a book she wrote for us.  While she is the proud mother of a son, she considers us all her daughters.  In this video, she talks about the book, a bit about her life, and even graciously shares some of her precious wisdom. You'll want to get your hands on your very own copy of Letters once you watch the video.  Better still, download the audio version on itunes or audible.com to get the added bonus of getting to listen to Dr. Angelou share these wonderful lessons and stories.


Next in line is Katrina Kenison reading from her Gift of An Ordinary Day.  I won't even attempt to describe this video as a lady in the audience says it best at the end of Kenison's talk when she declares, "Now, isn't that the truth!"


The third part of my hat trick Mother's Day gift to you highlights Kelly Corrigan, author of the bestseller The Middle Place, talking about why she wrote her newest book, Lift, a little book with huge heart that talks about raising daughters.  I loved this book so much, I bought a bunch of these to give as gifts.  I'm already in need of a re-order despite the fact that it was just published less than 8 weeks ago.


I promise to get back to the subject at hand, helping Comeback Moms to make a successful re-entry onto the career roadway, next week!  I sincerely hope you enjoyed these treats.  Happy Mother's Day!!