Resumes, and Alternatives!
February 1, 2010
When we’re faced with a job search–by our own dissatisfaction or by our employer’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 than 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 comprehensive book, revised annually, is written by Richard Bolles.
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, helpful. Actually, the beginning of my career counseling work, even before I started working on my master’s degree, was reading this book (earlier edition!) years ago, and sharing what I was learning and using myself, with returning adult students looking for new careers.
Letting Go
January 23, 2010
Recently, when I was talking with a good friend, she pointed at the fence beyond her apartment patio, and told me a story. She said that once, when she’d had a bill due that she wasn’t sure how she’d be able to pay, she’d talked to a bird that was sitting on the fence. She saw the bird as an angel messenger, and asked the bird to carry her concerns to God. The bird immediately just fell off the fence — into an oleander bush, and lay there very still! She was appalled, and thought, “Wow, that was really heavy for me, that concern about paying that bill. The bird has shown me how heavy, but I’ve killed the bird!” Shortly, however, she heard a rustling in the bush as the bird came to and flew off. She turned to me and added, “I’ve never even heard of such a thing; have you?” I had not.
Clearly, I was hearing this for a reason. This story reminds me of how very important it is to let go of things that are heavy for us: clothes we no longer need, outdated files, worn out habits, limiting beliefs, counter-productive activities, out-grown jobs and careers. When we let go of those, we create room for our new good. May you — and I — let go of lots that we no longer need or want, and thereby create beautiful space for new abundance.
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.
Looking for more satisfaction in your career?
August 23, 2009
Are you looking for more fulfillment from your work? Do you wake up in the morning wishing you were anticipating the day ahead of you? Know that it is indeed possible to enjoy your work, to love what you are doing and to be energized by the very doing of it.
Suggestion: start by looking at yourself. Take a sheet of paper and divide it into 3 columns. For the first column, titled “Work,” make a list of the various jobs or work you have done — starting with your most recent job and working backwards. For the second column, titled “Likes,” write the things you liked about each job–across from that job. For the third column, titled “Dislikes,” write the things you did not like about each job, again across from that particular job. When you are finished, take a highlighter and note the things that show up repeatedly under Likes; and then the repeats under Dislikes. This will give you an idea of what you are wanting to have as well as wanting to avoid in your next career. Be aware that you may find what you are looking for in the same career field but in a different employment situation. Or you may be looking for a new field.
If you have questions and would like to talk about this, initial consultations by phone, 520-321-0157, are free, and I would love to talk with you. See the web pages here for additional contact information.
Enjoy your wonderful day, and look for things to appreciate!