Not THAT Old

While You Are Looking for Employment

Looking for employment is a full time job.  You organize your day for contacts to make, networking events to attend, and researching companies and potential connections.  It can strap you to your chair, thoughts and attitude.

It can be difficult taking a break.  Moving to a different task.  Allowing you to function outside of your job search.

A perfect break is to get out and involved with community action.  You can LEAVE your home or temporary workspace and engage with new people, learn something new and, yes, meet potential employment.  Don't worry that you don't know anything about the non-profit world or community action group.  Learn, watch and listen.  You just might open a door to a new opportunity.

And, as someone more wise and knowing said to me, if you think about somebody or something other than yourself or situation, you will move to a place of action, more perceived control and self worth.

Join something today.  The organization probably needs someone just like you.

Bon Voyage

 A good friend just announced that she had been released from her job with a prestigious financial concern after a twelve year run. She mentioned it with some regret and a boat load of relief.  Why would anyone be at peace with this kind of job loss? 

 It had ceased to be engaging and had turned sour for her.  There were many contributors to this situation but when it came down to it, she made too much money.

There are hundreds of newbies out there willing to take their shot and for half the price.  Makes business sense

But what does it mean for my friend?  A shot at something else.  Perhaps something completely different.  In the meantime, she's taking a cruise and sorting it all out when she returns.

The Ties That Promote

Marsha Finkelstein, the facilitator of the Moving Beyond career club in Salem, MA, always mentions being "generous" with others.  Being generous can mean sharing job opportunities, making connections for others, celebrating successful job searches, and offering hope when the plum job didn't materialize. Generosity enriches the relationships with the club members.  It also has a karmic ring of what you present to the world comes back to you.

When I think back in my career, there have always been people, work associates, bosses, educators who were my mentors whether they were named such or not.  These people were generous with their time, advice and encouragement.  They sometimes lit a path or provided a gentle push to press onward and fear not.

I now notice how I can be generous in ways to others and keep the spirit of my mentors alive and well.

Know Thyself

At a certain point in your life, you knew that you were firing on all cylinders, making it happen, riding the moment.  If you can recall a moment like this, what were you doing?  Revisit the moment, feel the pleasure, see yourself totally enthused, and hear what you are saying to yourself.  Really, get back into that moment in time and feel it all over again.  You are in perfect alignment with who you are.

And who is that person?  That "you" who feels so accomplished, acknowledged and accepted?

Did you get the recognition for something you did or a way of being?  Maybe it was a series of events, all positive, all leading up to a time of great output?  Your first "real" job, buying your first home, spending time with your family, excelling at sports.  It doesn't matter about the what.  It matters about your personal commitment, the level of engagement ... the fact that you probably did work hard to make it happen.

True, there are times when all things just seem to fall into place. And, under the rosy glow of "it all worked out", I am sure that elbow grease was involved at some points during the process.

So, what are you doing today to make your career feel like you are engaged, accomplished, acknowledged and accepted?  Could be a challenge especially if you are under employed or searching for employment.

If we predicate our value, what we bring to the employment search, on what others say or perceive, you are not giving yourself a fair shake.  Taking an assessment of your skills and talents can light up other possibilities that are similar ... not exact but are still within the same job and skill requirements.

What do you feel about your skills and talents?  What are you really good at?  What makes you happy when you are doing it?

I like doing puzzles, crosswords, sodoku ... you get the picture.  I enjoy problem solving. It comes as no surprise that most of my jobs have involved a "cleaning up" theme to them ... post implementation support, technical call center.  That person you call when things have not gone right.

Take a moment and discover the theme to your jobs and how does it relate to what you enjoy most.  You might be surprised what you learn about yourself.

Career Networking Opportunity - Salem, MA

One of the best ways to move forward with your job search and career are networking opportunities.  There's one coming up in Salem, Ma. Thursday, January 21'st at the Cornerstone Book store at 6:30 pm.

This networking event is sponsored by Moving Beyond Career Club . Check out the details.