Under-Employment: By Choice or Design?

I’ve seen a flurry of articles lately about the number of people who have accepted new positions that are a step down the ladder from the ones they left behind.  We’re not talking CFO switching to burger-flipper here, but CFO deciding to take a Controller position, or IT manager returning to a more hands-on technical role. The tone of the articles is to present this as a “problem,” and I’m sure for many, it is not a first choice, but for others I see that it is a conscious decision.

As you determine your next career goal, do some self-analysis and identify your strengths and values.  What do you most like doing, who do you like working with,  and what works for you at this stage in your life?  I often find that in the exploration process, individuals take a look at reordering their priorities, and some question the trade-off between a high-powered, highly paid career, or a position that required lots travel, and the cost to family, relationships, and health.

Some people choose to switch to career that they will find rewarding and give them more balance in their lives, but that pays less. The challenge, of course is to balance the new career and the new income with the economic realities of your lifestyle.

Creating a clear picture of your spending and financial needs and identifying possible areas to reduce expense is a sensible part of your career analysis. It will help you determine if a step to a position that some may consider “underemployment,” but you consider a great fit, is the best next step for you.

© Linda T Dewey, 2010.

Collecting Kudos!

I received a wonderful email from a former client recently. First of all, it was a referral, which is always welcome, but in addition, she included praise for the lasting impact that our coaching three years ago has had on her life

“Life is great, still thanks in large part, to you and your life coaching sessions. I have been able to maintaina focus on what’s important and not sweat the unimportant stuff. Imagine how sustainable it has been!”

Do you collect kudos? Over the years, as an employee, volunteer and entrepreneur, I’ve maintained a folder for positive comments about my work. I’ve always found them comforting to have and refer to, but now I’m learning how to use them. Here are some ideas that you may be able to use too!

1.      At each “beginning”, a New Year, new job, new project, or lull in my business, I read them to help me set and confirm my direction. It makes sense to continue to do the kind of work that people praise you for.

2.      If the gremlins start to tell me I should “go out and get a real job” or return to the computer work I used to do (but didn’t enjoy), I read them to boost my self-confidence.

3.      Before making a marketing call, I read them for ideas about how to present my services.

4.      When I was employed full-time, I used them to substantiate a request for a promotion or raise.

5.      When I quote them in my marketing materials, they add credibility to my story.

The more specific the feedback, the more valuable it is. I was tickled when my client wrote: “You are awesome! Thank you so much!” but really felt that I was on the right track when the one wrote more specifically about the results and feedback he received when using the training techniques from the session I led:

Just a note to tell you what a superb job you did leading the class on Monday.  You are a natural in front of an audience; people like you and have confidence in you and, therefore, listen to what you have to say.

© Linda T Dewey, 2004. (First published , www.creatingyouinc.com)

Unemployed? Growing a Business? Volunteer!

While looking for a new job, use some of your time to share your talents!

Volunteering gives people a sample of you: how you work, contribute and connect with others. You can get new skills and meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere and feel good about the contribution you make.

Years ago, I identified my new career direction (training and coaching) by volunteering and then landed a job in the field by including the experience I gained while volunteering on my resume. More recently, my work with the Career Transition Group I lead and on the board on the local ASTD chapter has increased my visibility in Tucson and helped me grow my business

Here are some tips:
• Select an organization or cause you believe in.
• Determine the amount of time you can give – and stick to it.
• Let the people you’re volunteering with know you’d like to expand your skills, so if a need comes up, you’d like to help.
• Keep track of successes and “kudos” you receive. You can use these accomplishments examples in an interview situation, or on your resume.
• As you get to know people, they will become part of your network. Let them know your goals, so they can refer you to other contacts or alert you to opportunities.

To find volunteer opportunities, use your network to connect you. It will give you practice networking and asking about volunteer positions is less stressful than asking about jobs. Volunteer opportunities can also often be found in your local paper or contact your professional organization, church, synagogue or local service organizations.

So go out there and volunteer – You’ll feel good about being active and productive and helping others!

© Linda T Dewey, 2010.

Send Out the Fleet!

Are you still waiting for your ship to come in? Whenever I think that opportunities are just not coming my way, my husband asks me if I have sent out my ships. It is a concept he picked up from a colleague, Brian Paich, several years ago and one that I embraced and discovered to work!

Your ship can’t come in if you haven’t sent out the fleet!

Sure enough, once I start making inquires, do some writing, update my website or design new offerings, opportunities come my way. Surprisingly, the calls I receive are often not directly related to the efforts I’ve made, but it seems that I’ve sent a message through the ethersphere that I’m seeking something new. And what shows up is exactly what I need!

What kind of things work? Make a list of activities that will create visibility for you or your business.  Your list might look like this:

	Write a business or marketing plan
	Refine your resume
	Create a networking contact list
	Renew old acquaintances and call new contacts
	Create or update your website (I’ve seen powerful individual websites too)
	Publish a newsletter
	Write a book proposal
	Do volunteer work in a new interest area
	Become a board member of your favorite business or civic group
	Take a course

Send out a few ships every week. Turn your attention away from the stress caused by lack of opportunity and watch for the return of your fleet!

Happy Sailing!

© Linda T Dewey, 2004. (First published 2004, http://www.creatingyouinc.com)

Consider This Your Invitation

A friend’s husband often said that he wanted to go to Harvard Business School for his MBA. No, he didn’t fill out an application or contact them – he was waiting for an invitation.  It became something of a joke. And then he stopped talking about it. The invitation never arrived.

I worked in a career that didn’t suit my personality. I switched jobs and roles many times trying to make it fit. It took years exploring and three people in one week telling me I should investigate a career in coaching before I decided to make a real change! My invitation had arrived!

A client with a successful small business was convinced that she had to “do it all.” She felt she should be in the office a couple of days a week fulfilling orders (even though she had an able assistant) instead of making product (the part she loved). Finally, she came to realize that her business was stronger when she concentrated on her passion and delegated to others the tasks that she didn’t like or do well.

Do you have a dream that you haven’t pursued? Consider this your invitation to pursue it!

• Acknowledge, name and give voice to it.
• Determine ways to try it out. Act “as if” it were a reality. How would life be different? How would you be different?
• Talk to people who share your dream (get curious with them about how they got to where they are).
• Create a list of baby steps you can take to make your dream a reality.
• Acknowledge the dissenting voices in your head (gremlins) that keep you safe (and stuck). Take steps towards your dream anyway.
• Share your dream. If it’s scary to talk to your family or close friends, consider hiring a coach.

If you are waiting for someone to invite you to pursue your dream, consider this your invitation!

If you want a sympathetic ear to help you along the way (and keep you on track), or if the dream is so deep that it hasn’t revealed itself to you yet, give me a call!

© Linda T Dewey, 2005. (First published, 2005 – http://www.creatingyouinc.com)

Pause to Refresh!

“I am here”

Remarkably, these words, said silently to myself, have the power to calm and center me. I use them when I feel overwhelmed by crowds or noise, when I’m rushing to get all the things on my to do list done in an unreasonable amount of time, when I feel bored, directionless or adrift, not sure if all the parts of my life are coming together in an integrated whole.

“I am here”

Immediately my breath deepens, my feet feel rooted to the earth, my mind turns inward to “check in,” my body relaxes and straightens. My perspective shifts and whatever is bugging me seems smaller and easier to deal with.

“I am here”

Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast – you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. Eddie Cantor

As we plough through the stresses and strains of our days, take time to pause and check in with yourself. Remember who you are and how you want to be with yourself as well as with family, friends, colleagues and strangers. It will make a difference. The simple act of remembering (even if it’s for the first time) will make it so.

© Linda T Dewey, 2005. (First published, 2005 – http://www.creatingyouinc.com)

Searching for a new Job – Add a Dose of Reality

As a Career Coach, I talk to people every day about their dreams. “Find what you love and pursue it,” I like to say. But we’re in an economic slow down; people are afraid of losing their jobs, or they have already been affected by layoffs. There are mortgages to pay, tuition fees, food and clothing – basic necessities that make people less willing to take a risk. Is now the time for dreaming? Perhaps the dreams need to be placed and replaced with a dose of reality.

So what should you do if you’re in the job market?

• Focus your search in a field where you can build on your core accomplishments. Companies are in the driver’s seat and can be choosy about who they hire. Seeking employment where you can show a solid record of accomplishment is more likely to produce quick results.
• Polish your communication skills. You need to “wow” interviewers with your grasp of their needs and show clearly how you can contribute immediately. So, get several opinions on your resume and cover letter, know the questions interviewers are likely to ask and practice the responses. Be enthusiastic and always follow up with thank you notes!
• Consider accepting an offer that is below your target compensation goal or outside your ideal interest area. While you sit tight and earn a salary, set aside time to explore how best to break into a new field; acquire or polish new skills and expand your network.
• Be open to less traditional employment options. Consider consulting or working with temporary firms or taking one or more part time positions to build a “portfolio” career. Companies are less likely to hire permanent full-time employees in a poor economic climate. They prefer a “just-in-time” option where they can pay for just the services they need and not get saddled with costly benefits or excess employees who they may have to lay off if the economy does not improve. The good news is this pool of employees is often tapped for full time positions when times improve.

Is the picture all bleak? Attitude and enthusiasm are especially important now. Here are two stories:

• I continue to hear from people each week who have landed new positions, several recently who were long-term job-seekers.  Networking, perseverance and continuing to stress how they will contribute to their new organizations paid off in the end.
• One acquaintance was unhappy in the position she had taken to get her through a tough period. “Remember “KaChing” – the sound of a cash register closing” a friend reminded her. Give thanks for that pay check when it comes in and for the life it affords you. If you’re bored, don’t like your job, tired of the politics or a long commute, remember “KaChing!”

© Linda T Dewey, 2008. (First published 2008, http://www.creatingyouinc.com)