Is Staying at Home With Children "Real" Work?

The latest war of words in this year's presidential race http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/mommy-voters-in-dc-talk-careers-staying-home-and-the-economy/ spotlights our continuing national debate about whether or not staying home to raise kids is "real" work. I am not going to enter this fray; however, what I am going to say, as a career coach, is that every one of us has the choice to make over whether  to step out of the workforce  and concentrate on raising our children, or stay in the workforce and do both. There are a lot of factors to consider; ours is not a society that makes it easy on the family to do both. The input from a career coach can help you make the decision. It is worth your time and effort.

Are You Still Waiting?

Recently, I saw another client who had worked with me about one year ago to try and identify a new and different career. She was unhappy in what she thought was her present sales career; however, what was really going on was that she was unhappy with her present employer. Once she realized that, she decided to stay and try sculpting her job to better meet her needs...and it did not work.  However, she managed to add  new skills during her extra year on the job, and now she is back again, ready and able to search within her current field, but with the addition of newer and better skills. She is bright, saavy and a go-getter with excellent  skills. She understands the power of both social and in person networking and instead of whining about her problems (her present position will be eliminated by the end of the spring), she is best positioning herself for a fruitful job search, and I will be there to assist her.

Can an Old Skill Become a Marketable Skill?

A client of mine disappeared for a year. Today, he was back. Why did he disappear--he says that he needed a break from jobhunting..but what he was really doing is being proactive in another area of jobhunting....developing his skills. In his case, he took an old, unused- for- a- while skill and started practicing it again, and earned a little money along the way. How did this benefit him? He redeveloped something that he had done early in life, he gained a new network, he added to his nearly empty coffers, and most important of all, he has a new career path. He was proactive, and good or him.

Figuring Out What is Next

My newest client now has her first real fulltime job out of school...but is having concerns about future education already. She knows that she wants to go on to an advanced degree but does not know in what. She realized that she needs several years of work experience before she figures it out, but is already concerned. While I am a big believer in planning ahead, I advise caution....one or two years of job experience can change one's perspective greatly. Unless you are sure of what you want to study, and are sure that at the end of spending lots more money and lots more time in school, there will be a good job, concentrate on building your professional background and leave thoughts of further education to the future.

She Has the Skills

A current client of mine just got a job only a few appts into her program with me; she is recently out of her undergraduate education. Why was her search so easy? I would like to say that it was because of my great coaching skills, especially in interviewing preparation but rather it was more likely the fact that she has the specific skills set valued by employers. In her case, as an undergraduate and in part time positions while in school, she learned grant writing skills growing out of her English major; that coupled with a background in volunteerism earned her a position with a local non profit and a very nice salary and benefits package.

What is the lesson here? Have the skills needed by the employer and make a case for it. Match your resume to the job description. Don't know what your skills are, what employers in your area are looking for, how to get the skills? Consult a career coach.

Today's Continuing Education!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/01/education/schools-try-to-match-the-jobless-with-3-4-million-jobs.html?_r=1

Work Close or Work Smart

Recently I met with a female client, who is a mom and a person who always puts her family first. She is out of work, and her skills set is such that she believes she will have to commute a fair distance in order to find employment. Culturally, her position in her home is that she works, commutes and does everything else as well. Therefore, she was frequently exhausted and does not look forward to resuming that lifestyle again.

I coached her to realize that she can either work close (and that may just not be possible, given her skills set, her home location, and the impact of the economy,) or work smart..ie outsource whatever she can (yes, even if that means spending money on housecleaning, grocery delivery, etc). I cautioned her about the message that she gives to her spouse and children when she tries to do it all. Telecommuting is not a given, and frequently not available in government connected jobs.

Such is the dilemma in many a modern American family. What is your choice...work close or work smart?