April 2009
Almost Free Executive Career Coaching,
Tuesday, April 14!
Three top career experts will share their career transition strategies on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 p.m. at the Westport Sheraton.
Mention my name, Shary Raske, and get in for only $10! Registration is required. Open the attachment just below your email address to register or call Kathy Preston at (636) 489-5408 or kpreston@jobnewsusa.com. Hurry! Space is limited. Sign up today!
Be sure to attend this Career Event on Tuesday, April 14!
Want to Network Better and Gain Greater Visibility?
Make a list of all the professional relationships you've had in the last five years. Create an Excel spreadsheet of their names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Contact at least five a week and document the date and content of your conversation. If appropriate, ask what you can do for them. Follow-up again in about five weeks with an update of your career transition activity. Always keep your conversations positive. Stay away from any conversations about how bad the economy is, your fear about your future, and your anger at your current situation. Negative information doesn't enlist others into your cause and it usually only makes you feel worse. A friend told me that she lives by this philosophy: expect nothing, blame no one, and do one positive thing each hour.
When Multiple Streams of Income Makes Sense
In a bad economy, some professionals are considering a Portfolio Career. This could mean one full time career with part-time work on the side, or three part-time streams of income. It could mean starting a debt-free business with a regular-paycheck job for predictable income. There's lots of combinations. I remember reading an article about an executive who was embarrassed that he delivered pizzas during his search until his daughter told him she thought that was the best job in the world. In the eyes of his daughter, he was a hero. It changed how he looked at things. There might be a place for a networking marketing business in a Portfolio Career, but be cautious. Most of the legitimate ones advise you to keep your day job while you build it. If it sounds too good to be true, chances are it is. Brainstorm ways to create a career path that brings in money if you are out of work, yet gives you enough time and flexibility to keep going.
News You Can Use
You may be eligible for a reduction in Cobra Health premiums through the new Stimulus Package. For information go to: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/cobra.html
One Secret for a Successful Career Transition
One activity of a successful career transition is to take a full day off. If you start thinking about your career transition project on your day off, just jot down what needs to be done tomorrow and get back to resting, relaxing, and having fun. A career transition is a marathon not a hundred-yard dash. Pace yourself. You'll actually get more done, if you take the time to clear your head.
Do you know someone whose career needs a CPR diagnostic session? I work with career changers who want to get to where they want to be faster and easier! If you know someone who is unhappy or stuck in their career, a Career Planning Readiness meeting may be just the boost you need. This is a two-hour diagnostic that evaluate the best way to move forward. Leave with a preliminary plan on how to fix your career situation.
Available nationally through tele-coaching or one-on-one in the St. Louis region. Call today for details (314) 560-1088.
Next issue
How Job Search Support Groups Might Lead You Astray
Congratulations to Sam who successfully completed a long distance search from Omaha to the east coast. The family is happier, and so is he!
Special thanks to Marilyn Sue for referring a great new client to me this month.
Shary Raske, Career Strategist,
Courage to Change Enterprises
We offer career transition coaching, designed to get smarter, more effective results. Enjoy reading, and feel free to forward this to others, particularly those who are job searching. If you've enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to others. Together we can wipe out ineffective career searches. If you received this in error, our apologies; see column on your left for options.
