Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Altruistic Tuesdays: Can volunteering win you a job?

By

In a competitive job environment, I have often advised that clients and readers consider volunteering and/or interning for free in order to gain some valuable experience and/or to bridge a gap (in experience/in time since last worked for pay, etc.)

Adult internships are not new. In fact, in a New York Times article from two years ago, Elizabeth Pope wrote that:

Adult internships emerged about 10 years ago as the concept of “golden years” retirement expanded to include paid work, volunteering or pursuing a life passion, said Mark Oldman, a co-founder of the career site Vault.com.

A more recent piece by Tory Johnson reminds readers that an unpaid internship can be a great way to get experience that is directly related to your target job. It’s a good idea for people changing careers or planning to go back to school. Kind of a “try before you buy” approach.

Eve Tahmincioglu explored the legal ramifications of for-profit organizations working with unpaid interns in a story for Time Magazine this month. (Hat tip @heymarci.) Eve notes,  “Michael Schmidt, an employment attorney in New York City, has seen an uptick in recent months in private employers calling him to find out if they can bring in unpaid interns as a way to cut costs. His answer: volunteering at for-profit companies is, legally, a no-no. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has spelled out several criteria with the goal of ensuring that internships not only provide real training but also can’t be used by companies to displace regular employees.”

This is really the month for focusing on legal issues for unpaid interns. Steven Greenhouse wrote a piece for the April 2nd New York Times exploring the fact that “Leading federal and state regulators…worry that more employers are illegally using such internships for free labor.” The piece notes, “The rules for unpaid interns are less strict for non-profit groups like charities because people are allowed to do volunteer work for non-profits.” (Thanks @workinggirl for sharing the link.)

Clearly, this is a tricky issue, but nonprofit organizations may not be so concerned, as they are allowed to work with volunteers. So, especially if you are considering working for a nonprofit, it may make sense to log some valuable volunteer hours to indicate your strong interest in the organization. In some cases, your hard work and hours as a volunteer may help put you first in line for a job should one become available.

Encore.org has a very useful (and free) ebook on the subject of how to turn volunteering into a job. They suggest:

  • Find volunteer work in an organization whose mission you share.
  • Offer your expertise.
  • Show your range.
  • Make yourself indispensable.
  • Identify an organizational need.
  • Incorporate your volunteer work into your resume.

The ebook (available to download HERE) offers practical tips and resources and reminds careerists to focus on the experience and its usefulness rather than expect that it will lead to a job .

Be sure to visit Encore.org for many resources to help transitioning professionals.

photo by SanJose library

Job hunt stalled? A little preparation goes a long way

By

Have you ever watched any of the popular shows that demonstrate how to make a recipe or bake something? Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray – they make it all look so easy. And, you can do it in 5 minutes or less. Presto – out comes a fully baked cake from the oven. Of course, any type of cooking or baking is a lot easier if someone first selects, cuts, chops and measures out the ingredients and cleans up for you after it is done.

I was thinking about this the other day. I have recently done a lot of entertaining (including all my own shopping, chopping and cooking), and I happened to have some extra cut up onions. Once I realized I had a “start” to dinner, it was so easy for me to get cooking. A sauce was brewing in no time at all – and no tears!

I know that job seekers who are able to “get everything ready” for their search feel the same way – that it isn’t so hard getting going once all of the “ingredients” are lined up (such as a resume, online profile and a plan). Of course, comparing a job hunt to making dinner is a stretch, but the concept is sound: getting things ready, having everything in order makes getting started easier.

If you are a job seeker (or soon-to-be job seeker) without everything in order (or maybe you don’t know where to start), Encore.org offers many terrific resources. Their mission revolves around helping people transition to jobs in the nonprofit world and the public sector, so this is a *must use* resource for anyone thinking of making that change.

I blogged about Encore.org’s “Get Started Guide,” and shared their quote from Herminia Ibarra, author of Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, (with regard to a career change) “Doing comes first, knowing second…It’s a transition, not a transaction.” (From Part One of the Guide.)

So – if you are thinking of a change, but don’t know where to get started – get doing!

Part Two of Encore.org’s Guide helps job seekers begin to answer the question, “What do I need to know about job hunting these days?” It offers a number of great resources for anyone considering making a change to a career that will help you contribute to a better world. Visit the site to download it for free!

Be sure to take a look at the stories of people who have made a transition to a career focused on helping others and you may just be inspired to take that road yourself!

—

No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by bunchofpants

Remain Positive and Focused During Your Career Transition

By

Today, I’m happy to share a guest post from my business partner, Hallie Crawford. Do you know you need a career change, but you aren’t sure what path to take? Hallie specializes in helping recent college grads and boomerangs identify their ideal career paths and make it happen. Visit her site to learn more about Hallie!

by Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC

Does it sometimes seem like as soon as you decide to break the mold in your career and make a positive change, the whole world turns against you and tells you why you can’t do it, it’s not possible or something else that’s not very encouraging?

One of the biggest challenges that people in career transition face is trying to convince their families, friends, coworkers and the people who know them best that change is a good thing. At a time when everything is in flux, it’s tough for us to reassure people we are headed on the path to success despite any obstacles which may surface along the way. We may even be uncertain ourselves! And because we frequently experience the most resistance to our ideas from the people who mean the most to us, it can FEEL like our core support system is caving in.

As a certified career coach who has helped many people overcome obstacles and someone who has paved the way for my own career, I make sure my clients know where to find the best type of career support, at the time when they need it most.

Here are five sources where you can seek out guidance, education– even commiseration– during your career transition period.

1. Career networking – both online and in person.

There are tons of career-focused networks and resources on the internet and in your local area. Do a Google search; Check out your home town paper to find out where the best career focused communities are hiding; Go out and mingle with like-minded professionals who are seeking a change in their own careers or who work in the field you would like to pursue; Participate in workshops; Contact your college alumni office; Attend a networking event.

2. Individual career coaching.

A good career coach will never just hand you instructions, but is there instead to offer expert advice, an objective viewpoint, positive encouragement and suggestions to help manage your goals effectively, in a manner that works for you.

3. A career seeking buddy.

Sometimes it isn’t easy being that “horse of a different color” in your group of friends. If everyone you know is consumed with their corporate job but you have a strong urge to strike out on your own, you may get some resistance from those who can’t relate or are concerned you are making a mistake. The solution is not to try and persuade the naysayers, but instead seek like-minded people or a supportive friend to commiserate with, share experiences with, and bounce ideas off of. It’s so important to feel like you have someone who understands what you’re going through during the sometimes unpredictable yet exhilarating career transition time.

4. A mentor or someone who has “been there.”

Is there someone in your life who you admire because they didn’t follow the status quo, made their own way or just seem to be living out an amazingly full and satisfying life and career? Maybe you have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who started their own business or managed to interweave creativity and flexibility into their professional life in a way that stands out from the crowd. Now is a perfect time to ask for advice and guidance from that person, listen to their story, learn from their mistakes, and apply this knowledge to the changes that you’re going through in your own career. Most people are more than happy to share what they have learned.

5. Career education courses.

Newspapers, career publications, public libraries, online career resources and even my career website, are all great places to discover reasonably-priced career education and transition courses. Become armed with the knowledge needed to begin your journey on the path to a more fulfilling career.

When you’re striving for a positive change in your life, the goal is to seek out experiences that help further along that goal, enhance your knowledge, and offer positive feedback. It’s understandable that our human support group won’t always exist in the places where we’re used to having it… but help is out there. I have confidence that you will receive the guidance and understanding you need to move forward with your dream of the ultimate career for you. Good luck!


photo by thomashawk

Preparing for a Career Transition

By

Today, I’m happy to share a guest post from my partner, Hallie Crawford. Do you know you need a career change, but you aren’t sure what path to take? Hallie specializes in helping recent college grads and boomerangs identify their ideal career paths and make it happen. Visit her site to learn more about Hallie!

By Hallie Crawford, MA, CPCC

Not happy in your current job? Thinking about making a career change? Dynamic lifestyles and an uncertain economy are just two of many reasons to consider a new occupation, or even an entirely different field than the one you’re in now. Trust me; as a career coach who has helped many people reinvent themselves professionally, I can assure you that you’re not alone!

Maybe you’ve seen some layoffs at your company and “the fear factor” has you searching for alternate options and wanting more satisfaction out of your work. Perhaps you crave a more flexible work situation, one that allows you to balance home and career more effectively. Whatever your circumstance, one thing’s for sure: you’re unhappy or unsettled in your current job and you want to do something about it.

When you start to get the itch, it’s time to make an assessment and begin to set early goals. You may wonder, am I really ready for a career transition? How can I best prepare myself for a change? But even before you delve into the components of a satisfying career, it helps immensely to cultivate a healthy and positive mental outlook. People who are successful at making a change are the ones who are willing to overcome their fears, doubts and insecurities in order to make it happen. You, too, can be one of these people…

Keep these preliminary tips in mind before forging ahead on your path to a more fulfilling and rewarding career!

1. Commit yourself to making a change.

Something that is incredibly important to any change you make in your life is your level of commitment. You have to be committed. How committed are you to finding a career that fits, on a scale from 1-10? If it’s not at a 10, what do you need to do to move it up the scale? The time to ask yourself key questions is now. Do your research, so you know what questions to keep in mind. Contact a career expert who can help you become reacquainted with your goals and dreams. Explore career websites. Take personality tests. You will find that the more time you invest in career opportunities and self-discovery, the more committed to the cause you’ll become.

2. Learn to overcome obstacles.

To be successful in changing career paths, you need to learn to overcome obstacles you will encounter along the way. The obstacles I see time and time again for people wanting to make a career change are: not knowing what to look for in a job (so they take one that is “good enough” that they don’t truly enjoy) and negative beliefs–not believing they can successfully make the change. With practice, you can retrain your mind to see past perceived limitations, which are only a figment of your imagination anyway! With sufficient self-exploration, you will be able to pinpoint the exact qualities of the ideal career for you… and even the characteristics that you don’t want in a career.

3. Get support.

I was able to very successfully make my career transition into coaching in large part because of my own coach. She helped me create my plan, remain positive, move forward, identify what I wanted to do and learn to overcome obstacles. I’m being honest when I say: It really helps to have support from a group or a coach to remind you to stay positive and focused.

4. Claim your life.

My last thought for you… is to claim your life. There never is a perfect time to make a drastic career change, and you can always come up with excuses/reasons not to. You do need to take some kind of risk and perhaps step out of your comfort zone. The key is to minimize the risk and be smart about it. Get support from a career coach like me or someone else who can provide solid guidance and the resources you need to move ahead with your plans.

Discover the essential components to a satisfying career today!

If you know what you’d like to do next, but aren’t sure where to start, Keppie Careers can help. Learn about us and how we can help you successfully land your dream job.


photo by wiscdoc