Resumes, and Alternatives!

February 1, 2010

When we’re faced with a job search–by our own dissatisfaction or by someone else’s decision to let us go–one of the first concerns is our resume.  Know that it’s a piece of the “How do I get a Job” puzzle, but is often given more credit that it deserves.  To save yourself time and money, check out the book, What Color Is Your Parachute? 2010: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers. This wonderful book, revised annually, is written by Richard Bolles; I think of him as the grandfather of making career counseling familiar to the general public.

In Parachute, see Chapter 5, Resumes and Contacts.  Here he talks about the limitations and values of a resume, and recommends cover letters and job-portfolios as alternatives.  There’s also a great section on how to jog your memory to come up with achievements (for resumes and interviews), and how to network with your contacts for help.  More soon about these topics.

For an easier, more effective job search campaign, I highly recommend, especially in light of today’s economy, a current edition of What Color Is Your Parachute? as a reference book throughout the process.  I trust and recommend all that Bolles writes; it’s well researched, clear, very helpful.  Actually, the beginning of my career counseling work, even before I started working on my master’s degree, was reading this book years ago, and sharing what I was learning and using myself with returning adult students looking for new careers.

Have you asked Spirit your career questions?

August 25, 2009

Have you asked Spirit?

Do you have lots of questions about your current career, such as, “Is what I am doing really me?” “What is my purpose in life?” “How can I be more in alignment with who I really am and use more of my own gifts in my work life?” “What would I really love to be doing?”

If you have lots of questions, congratulate yourself.  We are all continually expanding and developing more of who we are. Asking the question moves you at least half-way to the answer.

So where are the answers? I have come to the conclusion that many are within us. Taking time, maybe 5 minutes in the morning, to sit down at your computer, or a with a notebook and pen, or while you are outside walking is a wonderful time to ask a question and then listen to what you hear from Spirit within. Ask the question, and then listen; pay attention, to what you are hearing or getting and then write what you am hearing.  You might think of this as asking and listening to God, Spirit, Source Energy, the Universe, your Spirit Team, or your own inner wisdom. We have many words for different ways of thinking of Spirit. For me, sitting at the computer and inviting guidance for the day, has become a wonderfully centering time during which I find I can easily access guidance.

I encourage you to take the time to invite spiritual guidance each day, regarding your career or any other aspect of your life.  Besides the wisdom,you will probably sense an outpouring of love coming your way. This is a beautiful bonus!  So much loving assistance is available to us, just for the asking.

Initial Free Career Counseling Phone Consultation

July 15, 2009

If you are liking what you find on this site, or if you have questions, please call me, at 520-321-0157, for a free consultation regarding career counseling.  I’d love to answer your questions and learn more about you and your career goals.   Are you looking for more career satisfaction?  Or a career change?  Would you like help writing a resume or  preparing for a job interview?   Are you looking for more job search strategies?  I’m glad to tell you about my approach for helping you achieve your career goals.

Usually the conversation is about 20 minutes.  Sometimes I can do that right then when you call, but we can also schedule a time to do this later.

I live in Tucson, Arizona, and this is one of those states that does not observe daylight savings time.  During the part of the year when most are on DST, think of Arizona as being on Pacific Daylight Time when you’re calling here.  I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Welcome to my Website!

July 5, 2009

Greetings ~ 

Welcome to my site!  Willow Sibert, a good friend and colleague, has created this new website for me.  I love the look and content we have and I’m delighted that you have found me by way of this website.  May the information here be a real help to you.  My goal is to help you have more joy in your career, and I look forward to answering your career counseling questions when you call.

This first blog is a thank you to Willow; she created the site several months ago, and despite her encouragement, I’d not quite gotten around to blogging. Tonight I’m actually doing the blog because 20 minutes ago I read what Willow had just emailed me, and then watched the 3 short tutorial videos (included in that email) that she had created to get me going.    Willow, you’ve made this all so easy.   Thank you.  . . . I am sitting here experiencing customer delight!  ~~ In case you’re looking for a website that works, in every kind of a way, ask me for her contact information.  This site has been a pleasure to me, and a help to my business.  If you’re making a career change — or not — a website by Willow could be a help to your career.  All the very best to you!  ~ Mert

Spiritual Career Counseling

M.I Career Counseling Associates “Opening the Door to More Joy in Your Career”
~ An Applicant-Paid Service ~

Mert Ingvoldstad of M.I. Career Counseling Associates can help you streamline the process of career exploration and change. You will move toward your goals more confidently and quickly. Mert works within a spiritual context, believing we are each and all on this earth to experience freedom, joy and expansion in our work and in our lives, and we are here to help others do the same.
She includes these perspectives:
* Joy is the marker; it points the way.
* Trust your own guidance and intuition. Listen to that still small voice within yourself.
* Whatever you give your attention to increases; focus on the positive, on what you desire. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is.”

INVEST IN YOURSELF


INVEST IN YOUR NEW CAREER!
Email me: merdys @ mac.com
Or, for a free consultation
Call me: 520-321-0157
Let’s talk about your future!

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”

~ Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

Testimonials

"I just wanted to drop a quick email again to thank you again for your help with my resume. I have landed a very "juicy" job thanks to the great detail you applied to my resume. I really thought it was going to be extremely difficult getting back into bookkeeping after so many years of cost estimating, but with the help of the resume you created and my confidence I got a great job and higher pay! So again thanks for all your help! ~ AF

“Mert’s inspirational style considers the whole person, not just what you want to do for eight hours a day, but how you want to live your life. She helps you see a bigger picture and that has been immensely helpful to me.” ~ C.S.