One Word for Your Career in 2015

One Word for Your Career in 2015 Local author and speaker Jon Gordon has written several books, including The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, and One Word That Will Change Your Life   (with co-authors Dan Britton and Jimmy Page.) His advice for the New Year is to choose a single word that will guide your actions for the coming 12 months. He writes: “Instead of creating a New Years resolution that 87 percent of adults fail to keep, choose one word to be your inspiration and focus for the year. I have been doing this for the past four years with my family and clients and it’s one of the most significant activities I have ever done.” I have been choosing an annual virtue for a while now. I choose a practice, one that comes hard for me, to frame the way I look at the world through the entire year. The first year I chose Compassion. The second year was Patience â€" a very tough one for me. I thought I might have to repeat that one the next year as well. (When I announced it, my husband’s comment was “Good luck with that.”) This past year was Generosity. I worked at sharing as much of my time, talent and treasure as possible, giving freely with no expectation of return. Coincidentally, Adam Grant’s book Give and Take came into my life as a gift during the year, reinforcing the idea that giving brings happiness. What might you manifest in your career if you adopt a word? Here are some suggestions. Courage. With Courage as your word, you might reach out to someone who could help your career, follow up one more time after the interview, ask for a raise, or apply for that promotion. You might also speak up in meetings, take on a new challenge, or consider going back to school. Excellence. Are there things you could do better? Could you set stretch goals for yourself, instead of waiting for the company to do it for you? Could you master a new skill or enter a competitive sport? Taking on challenges helps you grow in almost every way: mentally, physically, and spiritually. Generosity. I discovered this year that giving more makes me happier. I donated more to charity, gave away good ideas in all my meetings, and donated lots of unused items from my home. After 12 months, I feel lighter, freer and have made room for more of the important things I value. Freedom. You can choose Freedom in many aspects of your working life. If you had less debt and lower living expenses, could you take a job that paid less, but was more rewarding? If you finally asked for that transfer or took a new job, could you free yourself from a tedious routine, debilitating hours, or a toxic work environment? Could you switch to part time or consulting work to spend more quality time with family? Fun. This is a word that is missing from most people’s career. Next time you can, watch young children doing chores with their parents. They’re having fun. They don’t know that grocery shopping, setting the table, or raking leaves is tedious and miserable work. All they know is that they’re doing grownup, important work alongside someone they love. Your work may not be inherently fun, but you can add fun to it. Take a break periodically to read something that amuses or enlightens you. Organize fun group activities with your team. Place something on your desk that makes you smile. If you simply can’t make work fun, add some real fun to your off hours. Laughter is good for the soul, and it’s bound to make you feel better all through the day. What will your one word be for 2015? Leave a comment.

The Ins and Outs of Encore Careers

The Ins and Outs of Encore Careers Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comThe modern retiree isn’t all about sitting at home and watching television or hitting the beach. Many retirees find success in retirement means more work. Sometimes, your calling in life extends into retirement, and you’re ready for that second performance.Cue the encore career, where retirees seek challenging, interesting and rewarding work during retirement. Another job could help grow the retirement nest egg or make extra income to pay the bills.Often, an encore career is taken to pursue a dream placed on the backburner or contribute to something meaningful in the community, while getting paid in a challenging position that’s different from the past few decades.evalJust because you retire doesn’t mean your career is be over. One survey revealed nearly 75 percent of American workers are expecting to work for as long as they can, and 39 percent of those surveyed are doing it because they like working. Another third plan on continuing work for fina ncial need.If you’re entering retirement age and are interested in what an encore career might look like for you, take time to weigh your needs and interests.What Do You Desire From an Encore Career?What does success look like for you when taking on a second career in retirement? What do you want to feel or achieve? How important is the money factor?Balance dreams with your needs. Your goals or desires may ideally involve:Flexibility. What hours suit your new lifestyle? Are benefits a necessity? Would full time or part time be best?A New Social Life. An encore career might get you involved with interesting folks. When you are thinking, consider â€" what types of people do you work with best? What do you want to learn?More Activity. Was your first career fulfilling? If you opted for money over a dream, maybe now is time to chase that rainbow. What is fulfilling to you? Are there specific tasks you see yourself performing?It’s like asking yourself, what do you want to be when you grow up or what do you want to major in at college? Every life phase has a fresh start, and it’s important to embrace that zeal and sense of adventure when pursuing an encore career.Research Various Encore Careers: Dig Deeply Into What Calls YouEmbrace this new phase of life and research various encore careers. When an option calls you, dig deeply into the career to learn the various ins and outs.You’re not the odd ball out because nearly 4.5 million retirees aged 50 and 70 are pursuing encore careers, and 21 million have started planning theirs. Most want to pursue a second career in something meaningful with societal impact.evalIf you’re looking to give back or have an empathetic nature, consider being a caregiver where you monitor shifts in health of a client and provide companionship. Duties may require errands and assistance with basic care and household duties, among others.If interested in learning more about different types of careers, check out the Occupational Outloo k Handbook to analyze salary, job outlook, work environment and educational requirements. Stop by your local bookstore or library to acquire books about discovering your passion, such as What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard N. Bolles. You’ll need to make sure the career choice is a fit for your dreams, goals and needs.Talk to People to Learn MoreIt’s one thing to read about something, but it’s another to talk to the individuals living out your interests.If you still feel at a loss about a specific career choice to investigate, talk to other retirees in your community about volunteer work or encore careers they have take on. Ask relevant questions to gauge if it’s a field you’d be interested in and to get insight into factors you may have not considered, such as the need for more education or relocation.evalWhen you have your eye on a career choice, start developing your career network. Talk to people of all ages and experiences within that field. Outline questions you want to ask in an informational interview in advance:What is a typical workday like for you? What skills do you need to do this job on a daily basis?What’s the corporate culture or work environment like? What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?See if you can shadow a professional for a day to get a feel for the job. Your network will also help with the career shift and keep you alerted about job vacancies.Revisit Your Retirement Plan With an Encore Career In MindOnce you’ve conducted your research and know an encore career is right for you, revisit your retirement plan. Look back over your assets, analyzing your projected retirement income, retirement accounts and taxes, and then factor in the projections and plans for incorporating your encore career into the retirement mix.As long as you’re not overworking yourself and are meeting your needs, the implications and effects on your retirement will be primarily positive. Use retirement calculators onlin e to help you analyze the financial impact of a job in retirement on your future.Pursuing an encore career is rewarding and fulfilling for many retirees who don’t want to sit around in their golden years. Keep in mind that this career shift will have its challenges. Make sure you are willing to accommodate those within the framework of your own needs and other life goals.Let your passion lead you, and don’t get in an “I’m too old for this” funk â€" you’re not. Believe in your knowledge and experience, and that people are always learning. You’ve got much to contribute in an encore career.

A 3-Week Job Search Plan. Cut the Crap, Get a Job

A 3-Week Job Search Plan. Cut the Crap, Get a Job A Job Search 3-Week Plan Cut the Crap, Get a Job! Come on, job seekers! If you are not organized and prepared to job search, then your odds of success diminish dramatically. Here are the bad things that can happen: Youll miss a follow-up opportunity, youll forget to apply to a job you saw, youll fail at sending a thank you note in a timely manner, and, worse, youll bomb in an interview. Only the most focused, committed, active and organized job seekers are winning jobs today. Many of you get organized for other things: homework and tests in college, projects at work, and logistics for a vacation. But why is the job search any different? After meeting tens of hundreds of job-seekers, the first thing I ask them is Where is your plan and job search tracking?” I dont care if its on paper or in the computer, without a demonstration of being organized to search, I dont believe they are truly committed. The smartest thing you can do in your job search is treating the hunt for work as a job. There are a number of organization tools you need, but I prefer Microsoft Outlook Calendar. It can reside on your PC, your mobile device, shared with others. Plus, it connects to Outlook Tasks and Contacts so all of the information you need is in one application. A 3-Week Calendar Plan and a Calendar Tool You Will Follow. My assumption is that you want a job sooner rather than later. The only way to get from here to there is to master the discipline around time management for your job search. Yes, you will hear job search is a full time job but not everybody has 40 hours a week free to search. Based on the time you do have…no, the time you MAKE, you need to schedule it out and follow a program. If your goal is to have a job in 2 months, then it is really important to complete the steps in your 21-day program to get you on that path. Plan out what you will do with each hour in one-hour increments. This way, you will keep changing the activities, stay focused, and make huge progress within each hour. Some of the key activities by week: Week One: Preparing to Job Search Do NOT apply to any jobs during this week. 1. Set your goal. Research the types of industries, companies, and functions you want to hunt for. Write everything down. 2. Refresh and improve your resume. 3. Build your Job Tracking tool where you will capture every move you make 4. IF you find job postings you want to apply for, log them on your Job Tracking tool and begin researching each company…do not apply yet. 5. Sending out formal networking e-mails to key contacts, communicating your specific job search goals. Week Two: Preparing to Apply to Jobs Print 6 job descriptions you want to apply to. Do NOT apply. For each one, put the job description next to your resume and assess the skills and experiences you have that match with the job specifications called out. Write them down. Now, for each job, write a cover letter that will sit on top of your resume in the same Word/PDF file. Talk to the hiring manager in the letter…avoid the use of “I” too many times. The sole purpose of this cover letter is to outline “Mr. /Ms. Hiring Manager, you are looking for these skills and experiences, and this is why I’m the best candidate for your position.” Re-look at your resume and assess if you need to tailor it to each job. Often, when we read a job description, we remember skills and experiences we have yet they are not called out in the resume. Remove content in your resume that is not relevant to your skills and experiences. Meeting with key networking contacts, attending networking meetings, job fairs, industry events. Week 3: Applying and Tracking Every Move for Follow Up Proof all documents, correcting typos, grammatical errors. Trick: read them out loud. Apply and log the date in your job tracking tool. Put a new date in your calendar to follow up on that opportunity. Send thank you notes to all contacts you have made, either via phone, meeting or at a networking event. If you applied to a position someone made you aware of, send them a special thank you and keep them updated on your progress. In summary, you will see a direct correlation between how organized you are and the results you get. Cut the Crap, Get a Job! (pre-order my forthcoming book of the same title here)

10 Gifts Guaranteed to Make You Happy - Jane Jackson Career

10 Gifts Guaranteed to Make You Happy - Jane Jackson Career Ive been doing some self-reflection and wanted to share my musings as it may strike a chord with some of you.   We all get the miseries from time to time. If you are feeling sorry for yourself because things are not turning out the way you hoped, or you are comparing yourself to others who have oh, so much more than you do â€" more money, better job, more recognition, higher status, bigger house, bigger car, bigger and better … everything â€" then it’s time to take a step back and reassess.Now, Im not talking about clinical depression as that requires professional care, and that is not my area of expertise.   As a career transition and life coach, Im talking about that vague feeling of dissatisfaction that is stops us from being happy with our lot in life.Whats stopping you from feeling happy? Are you really that badly off? We all have the capacity to be happy but if we start to compare ourselves to others who have more, then we’ll always feel we have less. Compare ourselves to those who have less and we gain a generosity of spirit because we are in a position to help those less fortunate than ourselves.Here’s a list of the gifts Im grateful for and if you have them too, then we are blessed.Im sure if we stopped a minute to reflect, wed find so many more gifts in our lives that we can be grateful for.Id love to hear what you are grateful for in the comments below. Lets create a list that means something to all of us that will remind us why we are lucky enough in life to feel happy.Wishing you happiness and all good things in life. Im a Career Management Coach and my mission is to make careers advice accessible and affordable to all who need it.  Listen to my podcast, Jane Jackson Careers on iTunes or Stitcher.   Subscribe to listen to regular inspiration and careers advice plus interviews with professionals who have made a successful career change!Find my book, Navigating Career Crossroads in Dymocks bookstores or on Amazon

Big Pimpin (without spending Gs. Or is it cheese Either way.)

Big Pimpin (without spending Gs. Or is it cheese Either way.) Ive been so thankful to everyone whos spread the word at The Declaration of You (did ya hear were giving away a free spot over on The Organic Sister til 11p Eastern today? Cause we are) that I have to spread the love to peeps that have contacted me recently, asking me to spread the word about their awesome products/services. I promise I only pimp what I love, so you have my guarantee that these are only peeps I would get behind myself! Thats what she said. First up: Tara Gentile and 52 More Weeks of Blogging Your Passion. Im totally late to this party she launched this a week or more ago (eep!), but I care not. I had a mastermind session with Tara a few months ago and got to spend some quality time with her at BlogHer, and she knows her shite. Her blog, Scoutie Girl, is super successful, and her passion for creating a handmade world comes across in everything she does. So if you have a blog and need answers to questions like,   How can I get more comments? How can I build a sense of community around my blog? How can I create interesting content that also interests readers in what I’m selling? then 52 More Weeks of Blogging Your Passion is exactly what the doctor ordered. It also helps by giving you 52 ideas for fresh, intentional writing so you dont hafta strain your brain yourself. What could be bad? Next up: Robert Dempsey and the crazy amount of content hes churning out for Life of the Freelancer. Robert is all about empowering peeps to work for their own damn selves, as hes done for 10 years. Life of the Freelancer backs that up with tons of interviews with entrepreneurs (like Chris Brogan!), workshops How To videos (I have a feeling hell have a new one every week or two for a while), and webinars like Women Entrepreneurs for Women Entrepreneurs on 11/3 with Alexandra Franzen, Christine Pietryla, Danielle LaPorte (!!!!!!) and, um, me. Yes, Im following Danielle LaPorte. No pressure or anything. Last but not least: Maggie Roses first ebook, 101 Things to Put In Apothecary Jars! Ive been working with Maggie since the summer, and launching an ebook has been a goal of hers for a while. Shes taken such care with the content and the bee-you-tee-ful photos that this is a steal at just $5!   Yay Maggie (and you/your home, if you buy this ebook)! If you have something youd like me to pimp and think my readers (creative, inspiring, awesome) would love hearing about it, then dont be shy! Contact me and let me know. Im definitely gonna do these more often. It gives me the warm fuzzies.

The Fundamentals of Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Revealed

The Fundamentals of Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Revealed The Awful Secret of Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Ironically this degree of commitment isn't matched with a volatile financial and company industry. Including activities and interests are sometimes a very good means to bring some personality to your resume. Objective vs Profile There's a lot of debate about which is the right approach. A strong organization will have people from wide range of ages and backgrounds which gives a breadth of knowledge and knowledge. Lies You've Been Told About Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Use current voice simply because you aren't working at a work currently doesn't indicate you don't posess this skill! Speaking about motivation to progress it is necessary to present it to the layout and the presentation of the resume. Let's review a number of the most introductory cover letter strategies for older workers, starting now! The majority of people don't do the job fo r the exact same employer for 30 decades and retire with a gold watch nowadays. If you're over 40 and searching for employment, these resume tips for older workers will be able to help you get your foot in the door. With more and more older workers appearing to stay in or re-enter the workforce with another career, it's vital to make sure your resume highlights all of the experience and passion you've got to offer you. By means of this process potential employers develop a comprehension of the prospective abilities and capability available through the work seeker. To compose a strong social worker resume, you ought to give evidence of your capacity to help others. It would be perfect if you were able to locate a suitable expert connection who might suggest that you to the prospective employer. Ideally, you will also need to demonstrate your connection to the organization's goals. Stick to the standard education and experience format, but be sure your resume can lead prospec tive employers to your on-line presence, Collamer states. Express some comprehension of company's current challenges and demonstrate you have solutions. 1 way is using a functional resume format that highlights specific skills instead of chronological timelines. The perfect format for your resume is shown in the example that you will just need to adjust for your own personal circumstance. The Debate Over Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Inside this situation it's important to clearly explain the latest positions in more detail. The duration of your resume depends on your degree of experience. Thank the individual reading your resume. Creating and keeping a skilled and focused resume places a work seeker in a place to develop into a valuable member of this approach. What You Don't Know About Writing a Resume for a Mature Worker Removing your graduation dates from your resume can be a prudent move and offer a little additional anonymity once it comes to your age. It ca n be difficult to know what things to include and what to leave from the document when you've had a very long work history, and it might have been years since the previous time you even needed a resume. My skills will transfer nicely, like I am focused, dedicated and have a history of completing projects in time. For the large part, however, the abilities and achievements which are past the 15-year window ought to be left off your resume.

10 Pre-Interview Beauty Quick Tips - Work It Daily

10 Pre-Interview Beauty Quick Tips - Work It Daily So, you have finally received a call back from your dream company after weeks or months of endless follow ups! At this point, you intend to grab every opportunity to get hired for the position. Often, the nervousness and stress you go through during interviews could take a toll on your mind and health. This stress can cause you to look older, which can hurt you during the hiring process. To avoid this, check out the following pre-interview beauty quick tips: 1. Dress Your Part Going to an interview for a writer’s position in a cloistered suit that makes you look constipated is certainly going to jeopardize your chances of getting hired. Therefore, it is imperative that you know your profile and the company dress code so you can plan accordingly. If you are not aware of the dressing styles of the company, research thoroughly (think: industry type, company culture, etc). Remember, clothes and accessories are an extension of you. 2. Wear The Right Shoes It is important to understand that footwear contributes a great deal in giving you that perfect look. So, make sure you research your industry to determine the appropriate footwear choice for that field. 3. Stick To Tried Tested While it is always said that one should dare to be different, don't try a new look right before an interview. Stay away from experimenting unless you are really sure about the look it would give you. It is better to look conventional rather than a walking catastrophe! 4. Highlight Cheeks With Peaches Figs Highlighting your cheeks with the colors of your choice might seem tempting, however, when going in for an interview, do up your looks in such a manner that it looks a part of your natural self. So, opt for creme blush to give you a dewy and naturally glowing finish with colors like peach, fig, beige. 5. Professional Hues On Your Nails Lips For a polished and professional look, touch up your lips with natural shades of browns, peaches, and pinks. Also, remember to use the lip liner of the same color you are using to fill inside the lips. A clearly defined pout makes you a more attractive conversationalist. Paint your nails with nude shades or shell pinks. Or, just use a nail shiner after a lovely manicure. 6. Be Good To Your Hands Nothing proves to be a bigger turn off than ill-kept hands and nails. It says something about you and your habits; as if your body is screaming out that “If she doesn’t take care of me, how would she take care of your company?!” So, trim your nails and moisturize your hands properly before you go out to get that job. 7. Take Care Of Your Hair Do not let a bad hair day happen when you have an interview. Messy, dirty, and limp hair with frizz and split ends sneaking out portray a very shabby image. So, whether you have golden locks or brown, black flowing tresses, make sure to do them up properly. 8. Realize Eyes Reflect Your Confidence Rimming your eyes with black or brown kohl or waterproof eye liner is a sure shot way to draw attention towards your beautiful eyes (which are sparkling with confidence, of course!). Never sport an out of the bed look. Everyone prefers an alert employee who is fixated in the present moment. 9. Make Sure YOU Are Visible Wearing heavy bangles, tacky earrings, and big, long necklaces can distract the interviewer’s attention. So, be mindful of dressing up in a way that does not overshadow your natural looks and individuality. 10. Smile! Do not forget to wear a smile! Your smile depicts your confidence in yourself and showcases your optimism. Everyone likes to be in a company of vivacious people. Enjoy this article? You've got time for another! Check out these related articles: 7 Bad Beauty Habits That Make You Look Older Beauty Emergency Kit For The Smart Professional Woman How To Dress For A Business Professional Interview Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join For Free!