Career Navigator

Interested in Working in the Non-Profit Sector?

2008-04-20T23:47:00.004-04:00

Upcoming Event offered by

The Association of Career Professionals International

"Working in the Nonprofit Sector"
Tuesday Evening April 22nd
5:30 -7:00 p.m.

If you are looking for a career shift into the nonprofit sector, this event will provide insights into the benefits and pitfalls of the growing nonprofit arena. What are the employment opportunities? Are different skills needed in a for-profit and not for profit organization? What are the economic realities of this sector?
Speaker: Sylvia Benatti

Sylvia Ramirez Benatti brings more than twenty years experience in the nonprofit sector as a trainer/consultant and, most recently university professor. As president of the Ramirez Benatti Group she works with nonprofit organizations and individuals to develop their leadership potential. She is also on staff at the University of the District of Columbia as the Campus Executive Director for the American Humanics Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership where she teaches courses such as Fundraising, Nonprofit Staff & Volunteer Management. and Advocacy in Nonprofits. She was the Director of Training for the Support Center of Washington, DC where she planned, scheduled, published and managed over 60 workshops a quarter to the metro area. She also lead the Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute for Executive Directors.

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Fee: $40 at the door

Contact info: anreitman@verizon.net

BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARD FOR A SPECIAL BOOK DRAWING

Meeting Location:

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DUQUES HALL, 5TH FLOOR - SUITE 552
2201 G Street NW. Washington DC

From Foggy Bottom Metro exit onto 23rd Street. Walk one l block toward 22nd Street
Turn right onto 22nd Street. Proceed 1 & ½ blocks (cross H Street) to Duques Hall which is in
the middle of the block . Take elevator to 5th floor.

Q&A with the Coach

2008-03-07T18:50:00.004-05:00

Author's Note: Fridays will be free Q&A with the Career Coach! Got a question? Email us at careerhotline@traversesolutions.com

Q: I recently received a promotion. Instead of supporting clients on the back-end I am now much more hands on: marketing to new clients and making presentations, pitching new business and managing my own accounts. I retain none of my former duties of support...and I now need that support to help me become successful in my new job. I never had any problems doing my own support work before my promotion, but now I really could use the additional help (creating presentation books, updating quarterly marketing materials, etc.). Needless to say, I am having difficulty getting much assistance thus far. My question is, how do I get my boss to sign off on getting me the support I need to assist me with my clients? - Account Executive, Financial Services Firm, NJ

A: First, congratulations on your promotion! From your description it sounds like you are transitioning to a position with greater visibility and the opportunity to make a direct impact on your client's success. Not surprisingly, this transition has it's challenges. One that strikes me is the need to alter how others perceive you since it sounds like you have shed most if not all of your administrative duties and you are now managing and delivering client needs much differently.

One suggestion is to meet with your boss and review/discuss how things have been going in your new position so far. While many of us expect that our managers will do this for us (i.e. check in to see how things are going, talk about what we need to succeed, review our progress), managing your career means being proactive and taking action. During your meeting you might herald several results or particular accomplishments in your new position to demonstrate how you are contributing to the organization. Letting your boss know how you are doing instead of waiting to be asked will be valuable when you ask for things you want, like administrative support. This request for support would also be something to include in your conversation to let your boss know what you need to succeed and how you can best serve your clients. Depending on his response, it is a great idea to make sure there is a follow-up action or deadline instead of letting your request dangle. Make sure you check back with him on your discussion points or clarify ambiguity, such as, "we'll look into that".

Career satisfaction, both short and long-term, takes setting clear goals and taking decisive action. It also involves vocalizing what you want and need to succeed and stepping up to the plate and not waiting to be asked. Good luck and let me know how it goes!

-Ellen

Q&A with the Coach

2008-01-25T22:35:00.001-05:00

Author's Note: Fridays will be free Q&A with the Career Coach!
Got a question? Email us at careerhotline@traversesolutions.com

Q: I have lived and worked in Washington, DC for the past 10 years. I love my job at a well known, large non-profit, which has been great for my resume and has helped me grow my network. I was recently promoted into a writing and editing position that is giving me great experience and more opportunities, but I have been with my employer for almost 7 years and am itching to try something new and make a change. I have this feeling that I have "been there/done that" in DC for too many years. How can I get over my fear and start doing something about it instead of thinking about it (all the time!). - Writer/Editor, Non-Profit Organization

A: Making change takes courage, and it does take time. While I've seen people pack up and sell everything on Craig's list to move to the city of their dreams (without a job!) it pays to think through your next move, as you have been doing. What will start draining you - and others - is if/when you have talked and talked about wanting or desiring something without the action behind it. One way for you to get started is to put some things down on paper. For example, what is it that is prompting this desire for change? For some it is part adventure/part living life with no regrets. For others, it is a bad manager or the feeling that they have gone as far as possible within their organizations. What is it for you? Once you have explored this, write down what you want your life/career to look like, from your physical environment and surroundings to what you do with your personal time outside of work. Transferring your thoughts to paper makes you DO something, and takes the paralysis out of ongoing thinking.

Once you have your initial thoughts on paper, start putting some action behind them. Give yourself deadlines and stick to them - your commitment to making change will strengthen and trust me, those around you will notice the difference!!

-Ellen

Q & A with the Coach

2008-01-08T23:12:00.000-05:00

Author's Note: Fridays will be free Q&A with the Career Coach!

Got a question? Email us at careerhotline@traversesolutions.com.

Q: My current employer allows me to have a very flexible schedule and my commute is only 20 minutes, but my prospective new employer is offering $30,000 more per year and a schedule that would be much more rigid. It also adds an additional 25 minutes to my commute. Should I take the offer with the prospective employer? - Executive, Public Affairs Firm, Washington, DC

A: This poses an interesting question: more money, or sticking to your values? If quality of life is high on your list then leaving for more money and working within stricter guidelines, not to mention a longer commute, might not be worth the additional cash. Company values, recognition and making a contribution are high on the list of reasons why people choose to stay (or leave) their employers. More money, surprisingly, is much lower on the list.

Assess what you have going for you now and what's important to you in a job before leaving for more money. What is it you need to have to be happy? If a short commute in a major metropolitan area and flexibility are in your top 5, you have your answer!

- Ellen

We want to help! Email us at careerhotline@traversesolutions.com to have your career question answered.

New Year Predictions

2008-01-03T18:30:00.000-05:00

Anyone watch Montel Williams and his recurring guest psychic, Sylvia Browne on New Year's Eve? No? Me neither (although my husband did, which prompted me to write about this subject and no, he is not an avid fan - he was waiting for his car to be fixed).

I hear Sylvia dished out prediction after prediction with rapid fire for lucky audience members. Imagine getting such clarity on your future in mere minutes!

I have read time and time again that the "unknown" is something humans want cleared up pronto so that we can know - with certainty - what our lives will look like. And wouldn't it BE great to know the exact day you will finally land the right job after endless searching....how you will be affected when and if your employer conducts a layoff or reorganization...or what career is next when your job becomes unbearable. Clairvoyant, do tell!!!

After navigating my way through my own career crossroads (which was plenty painful at times), I finally learned to appreciate the journey and the learning experiences that come with not knowing what lies on the other side. I realized that by going through it, I had life lessons and experiences that would prove to help others gain confidence that they could do the same.

So if you are tempted to stop pursuing a new business idea...promotion....job.....career....life dream, ask yourself why. More importantly, remind yourself that only you can truly make things happen, and that fortune tellers are better left to daytime talk shows.

Oh! And don't forget....career coaches can't see into the future, but they excel at helping you get the future you want!

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-01T17:41:00.000-05:00

Happy 2008!!!

January 1st means a fresh start, new hopes, and plenty of resolutions. Most goals and new year ambitions focus on aspects of self-improvement, from losing weight to eliminating debt. The prospect of a brand new year to get it all done conjures feelings of motivation and excitement at the possibilities ahead.

If this year your goal is a new career...a promotion or new job...a better salary or higher quality of life, then here are some questions to help you set more focused goals in 2008. (Note: It is my goal to update my blog more regularly this year so I can better support you!)

What do you want from your career? More money? Greater satisfaction? A new challenge? (Be as descriptive as possible)
What is most important to you? What are your values? What motivates you? Gets you out of bed each day?
What do you have to contribute that is unique? What are you good at? What do you naturally do well?
What is stopping you from reaching your career goals? What blocks or obstacles have been preventing you from reaching your dreams?
What 2 steps could you take right now to change your situation?

It's important to remember that we usually know what we have to do....it just takes getting out of our comfort zone, staying motivated and on track in order to produce the results we are looking for.

If you need more help from a career coach who specializes in helping people enjoy greater career satisfaction, contact me today to register for your 2008 Goal Setting Session! info@traversesolutions.com.

Why People Leave Jobs

2007-10-10T17:47:00.000-04:00

This topic never ceases to fascinate me, because the issue of staying or going is rarely about the money. People will stay (or leave) jobs because of....people! As a former HR Professional I have seen plenty of employees come and go in the different jobs I have held over the years. I have also listened to lots of complaints, which have mostly been about working with people, from difficult co-workers to poor managers.

Most interesting (to me), there are plenty of people who don't believe one bit in the company they are working for, but will stay because of a great team or group of co-workers. Conversely, people will hightail it from a fantastic company because of a poor manager. If employers only knew!! Well, many of them do...but that's for another post.

Below are findings from studies and surveys on top reasons why people leave jobs:

The job was misrepresented in some way (e.g. longer hours than expected, less responsibility) and there is a feeling of broken promises or lack of follow-through on the part of the employer
The company culture does not mesh with the employee's values
Expectations are unclear and there is little or no feedback or recognition
There is no coaching or opportunity for career advancement
Work/life conflicts

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

2007-09-29T20:50:00.000-04:00

It's the worst. You send in your resume for that perfect job. You two are made for each other - you just know it. Then something happens. You wait....and wait....and wait for a response. Any response.

You wrack your brain with questions: Where did my resume go? Did my employer-to-be get it? Did anyone even look at it? Is there a black hole I don't know about? It can be a maddening experience, and believe me, I have been there.

Job hunting is not the time to doubt yourself and worry over your abilities. One of the best strategies in successful job hunting is learning how to maintain your confidence, energy and outlook that the right job will come along, no matter how deafening the silence.

Since I have been there (more than once) I can share a few strategies for staying positive and by all means, moving forward!

Don't let a non-responder dampen your spirits. Remember there are loads of employers out there looking for your skills. So when you send in your resume for that perfect position, don't expect that you will be their perfect candidate. Recruiting software and screening systems do a great job in limiting the number of candidates an employer will invite in. If your resume doesn't cut the mustard, you might be shelved very early on. Unless you ask (and it is highly doubtful you will get any answer) you will not know why your resume was not selected for an interview.
Follow-up. If you are bemoaning the lack of follow-up (can't they let me know they GOT my resume?!?) about a job you have applied for and really feel this employer would be missing out by not talking with you, give them a call. This might sound unconventional, but following up with the HR department and inquiring about the status of the job (or, the receipt of your resume) demonstrates imitative and interest. I have left plenty of creative self-marketing messages on voice mails which have allowed me to stand out and often get an interview. Once I even got the job!
Identify an internal contact. The #1 way to get a job is through networking. If you are really interested in that job and that employer, it makes sense to try and find someone internally who you can schedule an informational interview with or find out more about the job and the company. Informational interviews are excellent methods by which to get yourself noticed and remembered, and who knows...you just might get the response you are looking for in the form of a job offer!

Employment Trends: Favoring the Employee

2007-09-26T17:21:00.000-04:00

This month The Society of Human Resources (SHRM) reported that "professional and technical positions are the most difficult to recruit for, as they were in 2006, and the employee-driven market is shifting the negotiating power to job candidates". In fact, "The Edge Report", the result of an online survey conducted by Robert Half International, portrays a clear vantage point for the employee when it comes to job hunting and and negotiating a better compensation package.

Among the findings:

Since 2005, the job market has continued a steady trend toward favoring the employee
Highly skilled professionals and technically skilled workers are particularly in demand and difficult to recruit
More employers are implementing new policies and procedures to drive retention such as: salary increases, improving the office environment, and providing career pathing and career development assistance to employees
More than half of the workers surveyed are more likely to negotiate better compensation with a new employer now versus 12 months ago
Flexible work arrangements are important to attracting employees, as are other perks including stock purchase plans, telecommuting and on-site fitness facilities.

For the full report, go to:

www.rhi.com/downloads/RHI/rhi-us/InvestorRelations/pdf/EDGE_REPORT_2007.pdf

Stand Out!

2007-09-13T19:36:00.000-04:00

When it comes to your career, there's no question that standing out is key to getting ahead. It's important to remember that performing outstanding work is not the same thing as actively making yourself stand out. Getting ahead takes staying visible, seizing opportunities to promote yourself, and building credibility.

If you're thinking this sounds tough, you're not alone! Making your mark takes effort, time and consistency. It doesn’t take a back seat to your everyday tasks, it becomes part of them.

Here are some great tips for standing out when starting a new job:

Don't miss the opportunity to make an impact during your first few months. Ask questions during new hire orientation/on-boarding, instead of pretending to soak up all of the information being handed to you. Do you know the history, the structure, the goals, and the mission of the organization? If not, ask. This is important to helping you make a greater contribution.
Set your own career goals and talk about them with your boss. Often goals are not well established and clarified upon starting employment, so initiating this conversation and proactively setting your career goals will help you avoid getting lost until you are formally evaluated.
Get out there! As my grandmother once said, "Staying home on a Saturday night will not get you a date". The same thing holds true at work: if you don't start meeting people and getting out of your office, you won't be building important relationships and you won't get noticed. Networking is a key skill to career advancement, and it's never to early to start.

Check back for more tips on standing out and if you have tips you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you!

Ladies....Listen Up!

2007-09-10T22:11:00.001-04:00

"Ask for what you want and be prepared to get it" - Maya Angelou

When it comes to career advancement, similar challenges yield very different results for women vs men. Here are a few interesting tidbits:

Women are more likely to accept a salary for less than they are worth so that they can "prove themselves" first
Men initiate negotiations four times as much as women at work
Women are more likely to minimize their talents and wait to be recognized for good work instead of taking credit for their accomplishments

Curious about how you can differentiate yourself and advance your career? I'm glad you asked! Here are a few powerful strategies for you to incorporate into your career management activities:

Set clear goals. What do you want from your career? Managing your career through clear goal setting is very important to advancement and professional fulfillment. You have to know where you are headed and what you want. If you have trouble reaching your goals, break them down into manageable pieces and keep track of your progress.
Promote yourself. Learn how to take credit for your accomplishments and seek opportunities to promote them. Need help? Observe others who are getting ahead. How do they promote themselves?
Identify and leverage your communication style. This is a great tool for learning how to communicate more effectively with others and get ahead. Although we may think we are being understood clearly or delivering what is being asked, you may be perceived very differently than you think. Understanding your communication style will help you make your exchanges with others more purposeful and effective, as well as help you gain a better sense of how you are being perceived.

For more techniques and tools to getting ahead, please contact us for information on our "Career Advancement Strategies for Women" workshops and teleclasses. OR contact us for a communication assessment and learn more about YOUR communication style! Email: info@traversesolutions.com

Labor Day Reflections

2007-09-09T23:00:00.001-04:00

So, the Labor Day holiday is over, but there is always time to reflect on what you are laboring for when it comes to your career satisfaction. Working to pay off those student loans? Buy a new home? Or do you work for the simple thrill of what you do?

It's no wonder that people who are in jobs and careers they love can't wait to go to work. They are as excited about Mondays as they are about Fridays. Why? They have discovered what gives them the greatest satisfaction, fits their lifestyle, and aligns with their values.

So ask yourself: what exactly am I working for? How fulfilled am I on a day to day basis? What else could I be doing with my career?

If you could be more satisfied with your career, then look more closely at the reasons why you are in your current job, including how energized you are by your work...and what is holding you back from finding what really gets you excited. Seriously, life's too short for work to be a chore.

Are you getting the results you want from your Resume?

2007-08-29T17:18:00.000-04:00

There is good news and bad news about resumes. The good news: Resumes are powerful marketing tools that can open doors to exciting job opportunities. The bad news: Resumes are powerful marketing tools and are usually the first - and maybe only - glimpse an employer gets of you.

In my experience, people who feel the most confident about their resumes demonstrate plenty of results (both quantitative and qualitative), position themselves for the job the want NEXT, and have little trouble lifting the words from the page and effectively promoting themselves during an interview. In other words, they really know themselves from their accomplishments to where they are headed next.

If you aren’t getting the interviews you want, you should assess your resume to determine if it truly markets you and your good work in the strongest possible way. So take out your resume and get to work! Here are some guidelines to help you:

Does my resume reflect results instead of just listing job responsibilities?

Does my resume have a powerful summary that introduces a reader to who I am and what I offer so that they continue to read the rest of my resume?

Does my resume reflect a progression in my career and do I demonstrate how I have developed and how my skills have impacted organizations?

Do I have volunteer activities, leadership roles, community work, and professional memberships on my resume to further demonstrate my skills and abilities?

If you would like help with creating a high impact resume, contact us today at info@traversesolutions.com.

The Wave of the Future: The Self-Reliant Worker

2007-08-25T14:18:00.001-04:00

Do you know someone who has held 9 or more jobs or changed careers 3 times? Maybe this describes YOU? It sure describes me.

Over my career I have had at least 9 different jobs (more if I counted temp positions) and have changed careers 3 times. In fact, career changers, job hoppers, free agents (whatever you want to call them) are the wave of the future. The generation entering the workforce now is expected to change jobs 9-13 times and change careers 3-7 times! And we're talking radical career changes: lawyer turned life stylist, marketing executive turned RN, and accountant turned professional dog walker.

People are increasingly seeking greater fulfillment from their professional and personal lives in a quest that goes beyond work/life balance. From globalization to outsourcing, merging to downsizing, reorganizing to rightsizing, it makes perfect sense that people either learn how to navigate the change that is sure to be constant or get lost when it comes to achieving career satisfaction.

So ask yourself...what does having a satisfying career mean to you?

What Direction is Your Career Headed?

2007-08-20T18:10:00.000-04:00

People seek my career coaching services for one thing: greater professional and personal satisfaction. For most people (although not all) a satisfying career results in a happier personal life and vice versa.

When people complain about career dissatisfaction, more often than not they simply don't know where their careers are headed...or how they ended up with the one they have. A law degree might have been the best answer at the time to the all encompassing question: "What do I want to do with my life?" while others decided to nix a secondary degree only to float through their careers with no clear purpose.

Taking the time to discover who you are, your value system and what you are passionate about plays an important role in achieving greater career satisfaction. The great news is, it's truly not as daunting as you think and you have all the answers! Here are a few helpful questions to get you started:

What do you love to do when you have spare time?

What do you naturally do well?

What would you do if you KNEW you could not fail?

Reflecting on these questions will shed important insight on your life’s purpose and the career that will give you the greatest professional and personal fulfillment!