What is a Career Coach

As Career Coaching has evolved as its own profession within the job search industry, it has also begun to diverge into two different and distinct directions. I refer to one as the Career Management Coach and the other as the Career Marketing Coach. There is a clear distinction.

The Career Management Coach focuses on broad issues related to your entire career - the past, the present and the future. This type of coach is much more in line with the above definition. The support is long-term and comprehensive, often focusing on personal and introspective issues. A prime candidate for a Career Management Coach would be an individual who, for whatever reason, wants to change his/her career direction and is now uncertain about his/her objectives. They need to explore, discuss and evaluate their value, their skills and where they want to be in their careers. Other excellent candidates are those that need a great deal of ongoing support, whether during their job search or while in a position. They want a confidante, advisor and career strategist at their side. Just as individuals have PR executives, public speaking coaches and others on their "personal" support team, the Career Management Coach has now emerged as part of that inner circle.

On the other hand, the Career Marketing Coach offers short-term services and support to guide you in developing, implementing and managing an immediate job search campaign. This type of coaching focuses on defining your objectives (e.g., type of position, type of industry, geographic preferences, salary requirements, quality of life issues) and then developing a step-by-step job search action plan - an Integrated Career Marketing Plan. In essence, these individuals will help you in evaluating the various types of job search programs (e.g., targeted mailings, Internet resume postings, Internet job lead postings, executive job lead reports, sponsor letters campaigns, network campaigns) to identify those that are appropriate for your search and your objectives. Many will then also assist you in contacting these services and facilitating their use.

This type of career coaching is best for those individuals who already "know who they are" professionally and what type(s) of position they are interested in (e.g., CFO seeking to remain in finance and/or advance to general management … Senior HR Executive seeking top-level HR position with a larger company … Marketing Consultant seeking to return to corporate marketing position …Manufacturing Manager seeking to transition from aerospace electronics to telecommunications). The goals do not have to be a similar position, but the job seeker who hires the Career Marketing Coach must be reasonably clear about what type of position he/she is interested in pursuing.

What is Coaching?

The International Coach Federation defines career coaching as an ongoing professional relationship that helps people produce extraordinary results in their lives, careers, businesses or organizations. Through the process of career coaching and strategic career planning, clients deepen their learning, improve their performance, and enhance their quality of life.

My, and my associates’ job, is to be a coach and career strategist and to be practically an invisible support to my clients; with the understanding that our clients are unique, intelligent and resourceful we know that our clients have everything they need to develop, without help and support, their own solutions. Through our dialogue they ultimately find what works for them to create the life they choose.

What does that mean?

As your career coach, we are dedicated to supporting, challenging and showing you ways to discover what will enable you to create the life you choose. We will help you identify ways to overcome obstacles, increase your skill levels and make decisions that will enable you to design your life, work and relationships to be what you envision. Once we identify obstacles, we work through situations in which those obstacles may be hindering your ability to lead the life you choose. We delve into issues ranging from job search quandaries, management and organization complexities, major life transitions such as divorce or becoming a parent, life balance and decision making strategies.

Working with Wisdom : Wisdom

May 1, 8, 15, 22 12pm-1pm PST

$145 by April 21/$160 after



Optional one-on-one 45 mins. career coaching call after 3rd week: $100

When you’ve reached a level of confidence and completion with your work life a big question can arise about what to do next that really matters to you. Your standards are set, but what are you going to do now?  Join us and others who feel the same to discover more options than you can currently see. No time like the present to re-tool and move on to the next opportunity with all of the knowledge and experience you’ve gained.

This class is for you if:

• You have over 15 years of work experience


• You’re trying to find your purpose and put it to work – whether or not you’re looking for income


• You want to assess your life experiences and understand how to recombine your gifts, talents, and interests


• You trying to figure out how to give back to the world, or how to keep yourself engaged in a stimulating way.


• You are wondering how to plan for the next period of your life without having the responsibilities that used to play a major role in your life


• You love to learn how to research and find tools to find and explore new ways of working and being engaged in commerce, the arts, sciences

 

What you can expect from this class:

• Clarity about what’s important now and a plan of action to achieve new goals


• Opportunity to explore options with career strategists who have a big picture view of what’s available that you never thought of or didn’t have time for before now


• Finding a compelling purpose that guides your next actions and clarifies decision making


• Learn how to talk about yourself and what you want with others, and hear others getting comfortable with this too


• A place to share questions and ideas about the changes and decisions you’re making.

What is a Career Coach?

You may ask yourself, "What exactly is a Career Coach? What do they do? Can they be of value to me in my job search? Do I need one?" Let's explore that concept.

A Career Coach should be thought of as your job search partner. He/she is there to (1) help you explore and better define your professional competencies, (2) address personal issues impacting your career, (3) clearly identify your career objectives, (4) discuss and resolve obstacles to employment and career success, (5) guide you in developing both short-term and long-range career strategies, (6) assist you in developing, executing and managing a successful job search campaign, and (7) prepare you to competitively interview, negotiate compensation and evaluate offers. In addition, many career coaches offer services beyond the immediate job search and are available to support you throughout your career with ongoing guidance and support for long-term career planning, management and advancement.

Making Work Work Authentically: Authenticity

May 1, 8, 15, 22 7-8pm PST

$145 by April 21/$160 after



Optional one-on-one 45 mins. career coaching call after 3rd week: $100


also

July 8, 15, 22, 29 1-2pm PST

$145 by June 23rd/$160 after

Optional one-on-one 45 mins. coaching call after 3rd week $100

When you’ve experienced enough to know you’re ready to take a new stand for yourself and create a truly authentic life and work style for yourself we’ll work with you to figure out how to make it happen!  When I hear people say,


“I can’t believe I was doing that for so long”, or “I’ve been asleep at the wheel and I’ve just woken up!” I know it’s time to take the next leap. Use what you’ve learned already to create a work and life style that truly fits you.

This class is for you if:

• You have at least 10+ years of experience.


• You have this growing feeling that it’s time to make a serious shift and you’re committed to exploring previously unexplored options.


• You’re ready to put your genuine talents, gifts, and potential to work


• You’re willing to explore and engage


• You want to take a stand for yourself – are committed to what’s uniquely you.


• You feel like you just can’t do things the way you’ve been doing them, period.



• You’re able, or willing, to say “no” clearly.

 

What you can expect from this class:

• Get clear on how you stop yourself from achieving what’s important to you


• Learn to effectively write or revise a resume that translates your past experiences for your future goals


• Become comfortable talking about yourself during this new time of transition


• Teachers who will help you stretch further than you have before

Career coaches work with people who wish to improve their work satisfaction, change jobs, or make a career change. Unlike other career coaches, our work focuses on career-related issues. At Daisy Swan & Associates, we use the concept of "Life Stages to help guide you in a customized way depending on your needs. The definition of career coaching could be summed up as "Career coaching is an interactive process of exploring work-related issues -- leading to effective action -- in which the career coach acts as both a catalyst and facilitator of individual and, in turn, organizational development and transformation..."

Career coaches can do everything from help people clarify their career direction or get through a crossroads or transition, to designing resumes, preparing the client for interview, helping them overcome obstacles to their new job, and so forth. You can choose whether to focus only on the Career Design part of the process, helping people design a career and job that is satisfying and right for them, or on Job Search Mechanics, a quicker-turnaround type of work involving resume preparation all the way through to negotiation. Many career coaches do both!

Break Through Career Roadblocks: Roadblock

April 9, 16, 23, 30 7-8pm PST

$145 by March 28/ $160 after



Optional one-on-one 45 mins. coaching call after 3rd week: $100

also

July 9, 16, 23, 30 1-2pm


$145 by June 23rd/ $160 after

Optional one-on-one 45 mins. career coaching call after 3rd week: $100

When you’ve been working for several years and just don’t see yourself making progress the way you’d expected to it’s easy to feel confused, defeated and discouraged. You might also be ready to take the experience you have to do something different to meet new needs.

This class is for you if:

• You have 7-15 years of work experience (typically).


• You find yourself discouraged, disillusioned, burned out, and you want to clarify what’s working and what’s not so that you can rejuvenate your career and life planning.


• Are feeling stuck and you’re not sure what to do.



• You’ve experienced a major life change that is affecting how you’re looking at work style/moving you in a new direction. (divorce, baby, etc.)


• Want to get better at decision making


• Want to write or revise a striking resume that helps you transition


• Want to learn how to talk about yourself and the changes you’re making

What you can expect from this class:

• Practical and useful information to gain clarity about what’s working and what isn’t


• Strategies to re-connect with and rediscover interests and ideas that can re-invigorate your work and career path


• A fresh perspective and plan to get from where you are to where you’re going



• Valuable ideas for solving time management and balance issues to have more satisfying relationships


• New ideas for places to find opportunities and ways to create them

 

Career Coaching focuses on the needs of individuals to find fulfillment and satisfaction in their career. We define “Career Coaching” as helping a client to achieve a greater sense of satisfaction in their career. Our work involves carefully assessing the individual’s unique set of skills, goals, and interests. We identify obstacles which might prevent the person from reaching their goals and then develop career strategies to overcome those issues. Career limiting problems can include: limited design ability, lack of confidence, poor communication and/or presentation skills, poor technical skills, etc. We can the provide intensive, personalized tutoring necessary to help clients strengthen requisite skills and improve the quality of their portfolios.

JumpStart JobSearch Bootcamp: Beginnings

April 9, 16, 23, 30 12pm-1pm PST

$145 by March 28th/ $160 after



Optional one-on-one 45 mins. coaching call after 3rd week: $100

also

July 9, 16, 23, 30 7pm-8pm

July series $145 by July 1/$160 after


Optional one-on-one 45 mins. coaching call after 3rd week: $100

We at Daisy Swan & Associates know that Beginning is an exciting and stressful time of decision making and choice. So we’ve designed this Career Coaching teleclass specifically for those of you who have:

* 0-7 years of work experience

* recently graduated from an undergraduate or graduate program and need clarity on what to do with your academic accomplishments

* to figure out how to begin your job search

* the desire to set up a good strategy to launch your work style and get a sense of a forward moving path; get some answers to fundamental questions about work and life balance

This career strategy class is designed to help participants jumpstart their job search. Participants will engage in valuable discussion and complete useful homework to form a vision for an ideal work/life situation, and develop a plan for how to reach this goal. Guidance and coaching on goal setting, decision making, resume revision, and effective networking will be provided.And you’ll hear how others, like you, are coping and learning through this LifeStage.

Here’s what you can expect:

* This will be a launching pad—learn how to conduct a job search, manage the experience, be prepared with knowing how to do a job search for the rest of your life

* You’ll learn to listen to yourself—slow down and be willing to hear your voice

* Listen to feedback you’re getting—when you want to do something, but you’re not moving forward somehow; or you’re being told not to go for it, little inklings that something’s not right.

* Examine your own expectations—look at the influence of family and peers, and separate your own expectations

* Create a timeline

* Develop job search researching skills and how to write and revise effective tailored resumes and cover letters

* How to talk about what you’re looking for

* Overcome fear and hesitation about the job search.

Optional one-on-one 45 mins. career coaching call after 3rd week

Daisy Swan, MA, CPCC, career strategist, career coach and career counselor, has worked with hundreds of clients over the past 17 years. Known for her compassionate and straightforward approach, Daisy guides her clients to clarify their career direction and supports them as they find and take the necessary steps to realize their professional and personal goals.

Career Change - A Successful Game Plan To Get You Started

Career Change - A Successful Game Plan To Get You Started
By John Groth

Are you thinking of changing careers? Do you skills in one professional area complement the skill requirements in another more desirable area? If so you may have the starting foundation toward building another career.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average worker will change careers an average of five times in their lifetime. But after years of professional experience and skills developed in one area, how do you package your skills to impress an employer in another career? Your resume is an extension and reflection of you and should illustrate everything you can offer an employer.

Here are some ideas to assist you in thinking through the problem and then reworking your resume to highlight your skills and qualifications:

1.Prepare for change: What sort of preparation have you done to qualify for the career you want? It can range from self-study, additional formal education, volunteer work, part-time work and everything in between. Your new employer could care less of what you want to do-rather they want to know if you have the skill sets to do what they need you to do.

2. Focus on the required skills: Many professionals get hung up on their job titles instead of focusing on the skills they've learned and acquired on their jobs. Many job skills are easily transferable across industries and careers.

Think more about the skills you've used to manage successful projects, develop successful campaigns, supervise staff or develop and manage a budget.

3. Don't neglect research in your desired field: If you are not fully committed to a career transition, hiring managers many times can detect when an applicant is simply trying to escape a problem in their current job or career. The more you research the new career, and this includes interviewing those currently working in the career, the more focused you can make your resume. Further, this depth of knowledge will clearly come through in the interview.

Once you've identified you natural talents and abilities, combined with your research, the ideal career should be clearly revealed.

4. Don't forget your unpaid career related experience: Volunteer work, particularly activity connected to your planned career field, will count as valuable experience. This related activity should be part of your preparation in making the change in careers. It's also a valuable source of networking contacts.

5. Look for valuable assistance: Nothing will help more in identifying you strengths and interests than by teaming up with a career counselor or career coach. They can tell you which skills you should learn and which you should highlight on your resume. They can point out which careers match your current and projected skills.

6. Be truthful with yourself and what you are presenting: There is the story making the recruiting rounds about the applicant for a pilot's position and their listed qualifications being that they lived at the end of the runway at a busy airport and watched a "lot" of planes land and takeoff. This may be accurate but it doesn't pass the basic qualification test.

Present accurate information in your resume, don't stretch the truth and be realistic about your career goals. By combining your research into the new career field, carefully developing a plan to acquire the necessary skills and qualifications (at least for the entry level position) you'll be well on your way to successfully change careers.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Changing Ideas, valuable articles and a Free seven day career planning guide. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Career Change Guide all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

Job Search Blues - How to Maintain Confidence and Stay Focused During a Less than Perfect Jpb Search

Job Search Blues - How to Maintain Confidence and Stay Focused During a Less than Perfect Job Search

By Melani Ward

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it." - Theodore Roosevelt

Q: I have been searching for a job for months. I have been sending resumes and letting everyone I know that I need a job like all of the career books recommend and yet I still have no prospects. Part of me just wants to take the next job I see, no matter what it is. What am I doing wrong?

A: I am glad you asked this question. It is a very common concern and it has lead more than a few people to take less than desirable jobs, maybe before it was really necessary.

The Job Search

There are so many things that one has to consider when executing a successful job search and when it seems as though you are doing everything right and there are still no potential offers on the horizon, it can be very disheartening. The critical thing to remember when you reach this stage is that every step along the way has value.

Signs that You have the Job Search Blues

You wake up and decide you are not going to waste your time searching anymore.

You sit on the couch all day and watch bad TV wondering why it seems like everyone on TV is much happier than you and in far batter jobs.

You seriously consider taking a job that would result in a drastic pay cut and that requires you to do something you hate or something for which you are grossly overqualified.

You imagine yourself in a variety of less than desirable jobs and feel trapped in your own miserable existence.

You glorify the job you left and you wonder why you ever decided to leave.

What Not To Do

Lose hope. The average job search can last between 3-6 months and sometimes longer for executives. Many result in positive placements.

Stop researching the job market and fail to stay current on what is happening in companies in your industry.

Stop sending out resumes and stop building your network.

Take the first job you are offered because you are afraid it will be the only one.

Take a job that is strictly for bringing in a paycheck and then deciding to stay put because you hate the job search process.

Lose confidence in your abilities and lose sight of what you have to offer an organization. The length of time a job search takes, the number of rejections you get, and the number of interviews you secure is directly related to your level of confidence and feelings of self-efficacy. Remember that interviewers will pick up on any feelings of inadequacy you may have and this will only hurt you.

What To Do

Do something every day that propels your job search in a positive direction. That may mean setting up another informational interview or asking someone in your network for the names of 2 other people with whom you might want to talk.

Strategize and evaluate what you have done. Document what has worked and what has not and make adjustments as needed.

Continue to build your network. Be as relevant as you can when you are talking to people and telling them what you are hoping to accomplish with this job search. The more relevant you can be, the more likely you are to get connected to people who may be able to help you.

Stay positive. Create a vision for yourself and imagine yourself fulfilling it with your new job.

Remember to spend some time each day doing something you love to do and surround yourself with positive people who are supportive of your journey and who will listen to you if you need a shoulder to lean on.

Work with a career coach to help you re-evaluate what you are doing and what other avenues you may consider utilizing. A career coach could help you with your resume or help you refine your interviewing skills. She may also be able to suggest some ways to continue building your network. Most importantly however is that a good coach can help you stay on track, support you when you feel like giving up, and help you stay connected to what you want to do and how you want to manifest your career goals.

To find out if your career is aligned with your body and mind go to http://www.coachmelani.typepad.com/. Melani Ward is a http://daisyswan.com/ and the founder of Career Fitness. She helps people create balance in their body, mind, and work. She works with yoga practitioners and athletes on career discovery and development, resume and interviewing strategies, setting and achieving goals, and uniting who they are with what they do.