Encore! Encore! Take a Bow for Your Encore Career

Many people who lost their jobs in the current economic doldrums have decided to go back to school and learn new skills. Others have decided to shift their careers in new directions. These people will take the stage again in new roles, often in public service or with nonprofit organizations, and I applaud them. They obviously have faith in themselves and the determination to keep moving forward, two key ingredients for career success.

Earlier this month I participated as a judge in a marketing and publications awards competition among continuing education programs at private and public colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, conducted by the University Continuing Education Association. Marketing professionals, graphic designers and writers formed two teams to evaluate hundreds of entries in seven hours. It was exhilarating to see some of the great programs created to give people a second go at a career. And, the experience showed me today's vast array of opportunities that are available to explore and master new fields by going back to school.

This week I talked with an enterprising woman who has been “in transition” since last April when she was laid off. She has used the last year to retool her skills by taking multiple courses in certificate programs and is completing a Masters degree in order to reshape her career and re-enter the job market.

You might think that with no income other than unemployment benefits, going back to school would be impossible for you, but there are options to check out. For instance, there are foundations and other organizations that provide scholarships and grants for adult students pursuing a degree as well as specifically for women, veterans and minority groups. Colleges and universities sometimes facilitate such funding. Before you rule it out, it’s worth your while to do a little online research, talk to your local community college or university counselors, and peruse your options.

The jobs that are available today are not the same jobs vacated by layoffs last year. Requirements have changed because of business needs and technological advances. How you use your “out-of-work” time could determine whether you will be able to get a job and how soon … and how much you will make. How will you re-enter the stage?

Finding Your Passion Again After a Job Loss

The other day I danced. It was around my livingroom, but I danced. I once dreamed of being a professional dancer on Broadway, but my reality and path in life led me into other creative directions for a career. I love dancing. It does something great for my soul. Whether it’s Ravel’s sultry Bolero, a lilting song by Judy Collins, Elton John’s rocking The One album or Pink Martini’s many styles, music makes me want to get up and move.

What makes you move, gives you a boost, charges your engines and makes you happy? Is there something you always wanted to do that you didn’t pursue? Is this your time, while you are between jobs, to try doing what makes your heart sing?

I met someone recently who is in his 50s and thinking of returning to dance, which he once pursued with passion. Now out of work and thinking of new options, he yearns to dance like he did when he was younger. I say, if the body is willing, why not?

Dance is only an example, and it may not be your passion, but don’t you have something you were pretty good at, something you always wanted to do besides what you ended up doing for a career? To get started, you could take a course or two, find a mentor, or do some informational interviews. Try whatever it is out for size. See if you can shift your career that’s been stalled by a layoff or other job loss in a new direction that makes you happier and pays the bills.

For me, writing filled the creative gap left after I stopped performing as a dancer. I’ve always loved to write anyway. Words have been the cornerstone of most of my career, and writing is a transferrable skill should I shift away from marketing and communications. The most important aspect of writing, however, is the passion I feel for it. If you can find that passion again, it can set your whole life on a path to greater happiness.

Are Career or Job Fairs Worth Your Time?

It depends.

Marketing guru and blogger, Seth Godin, earlier this week wrote, “Planning a career at a career fair is a little like looking for a soulmate at a singles' bar.” He thinks that employers are there to fill “average” jobs with “average” people, which he points out don’t really exist. I’m not average, are you?

A 2009 Northern Virginia job fair drew about 3,000 hopeful jobseekers, most of whom waited for hours in the rain to enter the building and talk with a handful of employers, mostly from the federal government. These agencies, it turns out, were looking to fill lower level jobs and sending people to the Web to apply. One attendee reported that the real value for her in this otherwise uncomfortable experience was the networking she did with the others standing in line.

Alison Doyle, who writes for About.com, likens career fairs to ‘“one stop shopping’ at the mall.” She concedes they “can be overwhelming with many people waiting to see the same employer, one-the-spot interviewing, noise and sometimes confusion.” But, she sees their value as providing a unique opportunity to meet one-to-one with representatives from several employers, which you can’t easily do any other way.

For a career or job fair to be a worthwhile experience, it takes advance research and preparation, a lot of energy (and willingness to stand in lines), and a winning attitude. It takes all that plus a little luck.

Checking out what employers will be there and what jobs are open ahead of time will tell you if a particular event holds some promise for you. You can’t do anything about the weather or how many other jobseekers show up. You can arrive early, though, to minimize your waiting time, and you can be prepared.
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This You Tube video by Patra Frame of Strategies for Human Resources offers helpful tips on making your job fair experience more successful.

The “Gifts” of 2009

As the holidays approach, the out-of-work jobseeker could easily fall into a gloomy cloud in the midst of the festivities. If you see yourself sinking into this mood, stop now and look back on the gifts, small or large, that you have received and given in the past year. “Gifts?” you ask. “Is she crazy?”

Well, maybe, but I know that since my own layoff I have learned a lot and met many great people I probably never would have known. For one thing, I became an active social media participant and a blogger, now with more than 80 blog entries posted. My professional community grew because I participated in LinkedIn groups and local organizations, attended countless networking events, and tweeted. This year, through webinars, seminars and workshops, I expanded my knowledge on such topics as web analytics and search-engine optimization. I volunteered my expertise as a judge in a professional awards program and as a career advisor. To bring in some cash, I began freelancing as a writer, editor and marketing pro and spent the last four months filling in part-time for someone out on parental leave, learning a whole new field for me—international development—and gaining new friends.

Sure, I’ve had my moments of fear for the future, but learning, growing and sharing have lifted me so that I can look ahead with hope rather than back with regrets.

My suggestion to you is to make your own list of “gifts” during 2009. Everyone’s list will be different, but, unless you have totally isolated yourself, you are likely to be surprised by all that you have gained this year, even if you lost your job. The gifts can be prizes as small as a hug or a phone call or as large as learning a new skill. They can be family-based or in your wider professional community.

Special Note: During the holidays, I will post two more entries on this blog before launching head first into 2010. You’ll find these on December 22 and December 29.

Preparing Ahead for Curveball Job Interview Questions

If you have a spotless background—never made a single error—then hats off to you. You are a rarity. As humans, it is normal to commit gaffs on the job such as misjudgments, hasty decisions, misspoken words, overlooked details, and so on at some time in our careers. Since not everything goes perfectly all the time, you need to think ahead how you would handle a curveball question.

It’s the curveball questions that can trip you up, especially if you are not ready for them. Try answering one of these without any preparation:

1. Tell me about a decision you have made that turned out to be wrong.

2. Describe an incident where you disagreed with an executive decision.

3. We all make mistakes. Tell me about one of your worst.

4. What was the worst job you ever had?

5. In what area are you weakest?

The list could go on, and I suggest that you make your own list of questions. Include the questions you’d rather not have to answer, ones that might point to embarrassing events or your own errors.

Then, as an exercise, privately write out your answers truthfully, laying out the worst details in no more than a paragraph. Next take a look at what you’ve written and think about how you resolved these situations when you were under fire, in a tight spot, or just plain wrong. Did you learn anything from these experiences? Did they influence how you acted later to ward off the same kinds of ill events?

Whatever actions you took during or after a mishap—the ones that fixed the problem, saved the company unneeded expenses or embarrassment, or kept you from repeating the unfortunate situation—those are the ones you want to focus on during an interview. By demonstrating that you can step up to the plate to solve problems, learn from your errors and shoot for positive outcomes, you will show how you can handle any pitch, even a curveball.

After the Networking Event—What’s Next?

When networking, you will likely meet people who are looking for jobs like yourself, some just laid off and others who have been on the market for months or longer. You will encounter others who are well connected in the DC business community, sales persons or business owners looking to gain a customer, and career coaches and recruiters. Any of these individuals could turn out to be good connections for you to make.

Each time I attend a networking opportunity, I leave with several business cards and connections that could lead either to freelance, contract or permanent work, or new friends, or even guest bloggers. These are just quick meetings, nothing definite, but bearing potential. So, what’s next?

Without follow-up, all these networking connections are just noise. It’s up to you to make the music. On the same or next day after a networking event, you should:

• Make sure the notes* you jotted on the business cards you collected are meaningful, while you can still remember enough about the people and what they said. I recommend that for later reference you also date the cards and add the name of the event or organization.
• Sort your cards (and your memories) into: A. those with true long-term potential; B. those with peripheral common interests; and C. those who are probably not going to be part of your immediate circle.
• Start contacting your A group first. Invite them to join your online network (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.) or set up a time to meet over coffee.
• Write short greetings to your B group, and if you are so inclined, to your C group. After all, this latter group may have connections to other people you’d like to know.

Now you have begun the networking process—and it definitely doesn’t end here.

*See the October 20 post.

Yell When You Need Help

How many times have friends or colleagues said to you, “Call me if you need any help” since you lost your job? The kindness of friends and strangers will never cease to surprise you, and usually they really mean it.

They may just have an ear to lend for your trials and tribulations, but they may also want to stay connected, offer advice or leads, and share in your experience. Often tips and leads come from the most surprising sources, like your realtor or your banker. It’s in their interest for you to be re-employed, for sure, but these are well-meaning people, and you are in a time of need.

And if you truly are out on a limb by yourself, there are professionals equipped to help guide you back onto a positive course of action. For instance, when I was between jobs a few years ago, a professional organization that I belonged to waived my renewal fees so I could have access to its career resources, including a free session with a life/career coach at an event in D.C. This introduction led to a series of phone consultations that piloted my job search in the right direction.

Whether it’s to friends, family, former colleagues or a coach, it’s okay to yell when you need help. You don’t have to go it alone.

Job Hunting With a Point of View

As Lois Kelly writes in her book on marketing in today’s social world, Beyond Buzz: The Next Generation of Word-of-Mouth Marketing, some of the most successful companies identify a point of view that defines how they will operate. Taking this one step further, what is your point of view about your career?

What do I mean by this? Your vision addresses the characteristics of a career move, but your point of view is all about who you are. Here’s a brief example of a point of view:

I want work that I can deeply support and enjoy—something that I can be passionate about. I get a charge from challenges and working with people. I believe in getting the job done, doing it on time and doing it well. Words are my friend.

This point-of-view statement applies to someone who cares about mission because of her own values. She also knows the environmental factors that are important to her and what she likes to do. Now it’s up to her to find and target the organizations/companies that offer the mission, challenge, environment and work mode she wants.

If you have your own career point of view, you are welcome to share it as a comment.

(See the previous post for discussion of defining your vision.)