If you are about to begin, or are in the midst of, a job search, you should be prepared for interview questions. In addition to thinking about your answers to the possible questions an interviewer might ask you, you should also be prepared to ask questions of the interviewer.
Some questions could be the same ones you ask of each interviewer you meet, others would need to be specific dependent upon with whom you are speaking in the organization. Many organizations now have committees do the initial screening interview. Those committee members may or may not be in positions directly related to the position for which you are interviewing. So you will need some general questions you can ask, as well as more specific ones for those who may know more about the responsibilities of the position in which you are interested.
Create questions to ask that indicate you know something about the organization and the industry. Current trends and their impact on the organization are good to ask about. These days you can look on line for information to help you prepare for your interview. Of course, some of that research should have been done before you contacted the organization.
So in your job search, prepare for the many phases of the interviewing process. Once you have created your questions, you may want to write them down in case you don't remember them during the interview. By having your questions written down in a notebook, you can refer to them, if you have a momentary lapse of memory.
The job search can be a fairly stressful process, so the better prepared you are, the less stress you may experience. Being prepared for the possible questions you may get in an interview and creating your own questions can help increase your confidence through the process.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
What Are You Waiting For?
Sometimes when I talk with people about their work and career direction, their response is something like, "Well, I used to want to ______" or "I thought about _______". Those types of responses prompt me to ask "What are you waiting for?" Often they are not sure, but their sense is that they are either comfortable where they are or they are not really sure that is what they want.
Change, planned or unplanned, can be stressful and can be very scary, so sometimes we decide not to make a change. Unfortunately, I have also talked to many people who had not planned to make a change but were forced into it by their employer - through cutbacks, layoffs, and shut downs. Our sense of being 'comfortable as is' is tenuous at best these days. Preparing for "what if" can add a sense of some security in that you would already have a plan in place - if you happen to lose your job. Sometimes the 'what if ' plan is so attractive, they decide to launch it anyway.
For those who are not sure that what they have dreamed of is what they still want, then we can work at clarifying that picture and gaining more information and insight about that particular dream. Doing some informational interviews and reading research can help increase your knowledge base. Comparing what you know about you and what you know about a particular line of work can then be done based on some fairly solid data. Some people are able to do some volunteer work closely related to that dream work or shadow someone who is in that area. Both of those opportunities allow you to sort of 'try on' a different type of work. Be creative in coming up with ways to learn more and, if possible, 'try it on before you buy it.' If you already have a plan, at least partly developed, it can make an unplanned transition easier to cope with.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Change, planned or unplanned, can be stressful and can be very scary, so sometimes we decide not to make a change. Unfortunately, I have also talked to many people who had not planned to make a change but were forced into it by their employer - through cutbacks, layoffs, and shut downs. Our sense of being 'comfortable as is' is tenuous at best these days. Preparing for "what if" can add a sense of some security in that you would already have a plan in place - if you happen to lose your job. Sometimes the 'what if ' plan is so attractive, they decide to launch it anyway.
For those who are not sure that what they have dreamed of is what they still want, then we can work at clarifying that picture and gaining more information and insight about that particular dream. Doing some informational interviews and reading research can help increase your knowledge base. Comparing what you know about you and what you know about a particular line of work can then be done based on some fairly solid data. Some people are able to do some volunteer work closely related to that dream work or shadow someone who is in that area. Both of those opportunities allow you to sort of 'try on' a different type of work. Be creative in coming up with ways to learn more and, if possible, 'try it on before you buy it.' If you already have a plan, at least partly developed, it can make an unplanned transition easier to cope with.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Are You Stressed Out By Your Job? (part 2)
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I encourage you to try writing as a way to express your feelings and relieve some anxiety. Writing, as a form of stress relief, can serve several purposes or take different forms. You can write in a journal - sort of like your personal log. It can serve as a good release of pent up emotions. It can also help you to keep from sharing inappropriate reactions with family, friends, and coworkers at inappropriate times.
You can also write plans. Short term, medium range, and long-term goals should be written down and should include as much detail as is reasonable. You can write out plans for your working life as well as personal, family, or life plans.
You can also do creative writing. Perhaps you would write short stories, poems, plays, or articles. Depending on a variety of factors, you may write just for your own enjoyment or expression. Or you may decide to submit something you have written to a newspaper, magazine, etc.
Some people choose to do historical writing. They research their family history and write it down. There are websites that will help you do some genealogical work to trace your family history, if you would like. It could be beneficial for you and your family. Adding dimensions to your family's roots can also help to increase your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Some people use their writing time to work on career related planning and papers. If you do not have a historical resume, I encourage you to create one. Your historical resume is strictly for your own purposes. It is typically a chronological resume and includes all positions - paid, unpaid, or volunteer jobs - that you have held. Each job should be described in enough detail to remind you of what you did and pieces you may wish to recycle to use in your next job - whenever that may be coming. Working on a historical resume can also be a boost to your self-confidence and self-esteem as you look at what you have accomplished thus far in life.
Whether you decide to do some writing or find other ways to help you cope with and/or relieve stress, it is important to find healthy outlets for stress you experience.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
You can also write plans. Short term, medium range, and long-term goals should be written down and should include as much detail as is reasonable. You can write out plans for your working life as well as personal, family, or life plans.
You can also do creative writing. Perhaps you would write short stories, poems, plays, or articles. Depending on a variety of factors, you may write just for your own enjoyment or expression. Or you may decide to submit something you have written to a newspaper, magazine, etc.
Some people choose to do historical writing. They research their family history and write it down. There are websites that will help you do some genealogical work to trace your family history, if you would like. It could be beneficial for you and your family. Adding dimensions to your family's roots can also help to increase your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Some people use their writing time to work on career related planning and papers. If you do not have a historical resume, I encourage you to create one. Your historical resume is strictly for your own purposes. It is typically a chronological resume and includes all positions - paid, unpaid, or volunteer jobs - that you have held. Each job should be described in enough detail to remind you of what you did and pieces you may wish to recycle to use in your next job - whenever that may be coming. Working on a historical resume can also be a boost to your self-confidence and self-esteem as you look at what you have accomplished thus far in life.
Whether you decide to do some writing or find other ways to help you cope with and/or relieve stress, it is important to find healthy outlets for stress you experience.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Writing Your New Years Resolutions
As we approach the end of another year, you may be thinking that you should create some resolutions for the new year. Or maybe you remember the previous resolutions you made that were not completed - or perhaps not even begun. Well, if you have been putting off a job search because you felt the timing was not quite right, perhaps now is the time to develop a plan for a career change in the New Year.
Generally you should begin with identifying or remembering what you know about yourself - your interests, abilities, personal traits, and values that are important to you. Then you should do some brainstorming to identify potential occupations that may fit with what you know about you. Don't just think about people you know or people you see on TV at work, expand your vision of your future and maybe spend some time daydreaming of what kind of work you would like to do next.
Since you are very likely to consider a career change again during your work life, you do not have to completely remove attractive options from you list - just prioritize them. Some may just be put aside for the time being.
If you decide that you do want/need to make a change, then you can decide if you just need to change your employer or your location; other times, you find you need a career change. Whatever decision you reach, begin planning now and determine to make your New Years Resolutions a reality in 2010.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Generally you should begin with identifying or remembering what you know about yourself - your interests, abilities, personal traits, and values that are important to you. Then you should do some brainstorming to identify potential occupations that may fit with what you know about you. Don't just think about people you know or people you see on TV at work, expand your vision of your future and maybe spend some time daydreaming of what kind of work you would like to do next.
Since you are very likely to consider a career change again during your work life, you do not have to completely remove attractive options from you list - just prioritize them. Some may just be put aside for the time being.
If you decide that you do want/need to make a change, then you can decide if you just need to change your employer or your location; other times, you find you need a career change. Whatever decision you reach, begin planning now and determine to make your New Years Resolutions a reality in 2010.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Are You Stressed Out By Your Job?
In today's world many people are experiencing more stresses on the job. There are many sources of this stress - actually too many to mention, but the stark reality of a potential involuntary job loss, is very high on the list these days. As companies continue to downsize and others consider 'right sizing' their employee base, many employees are concerned that they may be 'let go'. Dealing with that possibility can certainly contribute to stress.
Additionally, if an organization does execute staffing reductions, then some of those employees will become unemployed and that may become a stressful situation. In many cases, the employees who still remain with the company face the likelihood of being expected to get all of the work done with fewer resources - human and financial. This situation also may add to an employee's stress. And in many instances, the remaining employees may also be concerned that their jobs may be next to be cut. So they have additional stress that is typically not experienced by those whose jobs were already eliminated.
So if you are stressed out by your job, it is important for you to recognize that you are not alone. Just as importantly, you need to find ways to cope with that added stress. For some, keeping in mind that you are not alone in the situation can be helpful. You may wish to find ways to communicate with fellow employees in positive ways to provide emotional support for each other.
Some of the general suggestions for coping with stress include keeping physically active (exercise), getting sufficient rest and sleep, and eating a healthy diet. Beyond that, I encourage you to maintain a positive attitude, listen to motivational or positive messages or music, and read positive, uplifting materials. Don't forget to add some fun or joy to your day. You need to laugh on a regular basis. If you are a spiritual person, rely on your beliefs to give you strength. I also encourage you to try writing to express your feelings and relieve some anxiety.
[This topic will be continued in the next Web Log.]
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio, designated as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She has been working with adults in transition for over 20 years. She provides coaching and counseling with individuals in person through Yager & Associates' Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and via telephone through Your Career Plan.
Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com, call Mary Ann at (513) 665-4444 x3, or send an e-mail to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Additionally, if an organization does execute staffing reductions, then some of those employees will become unemployed and that may become a stressful situation. In many cases, the employees who still remain with the company face the likelihood of being expected to get all of the work done with fewer resources - human and financial. This situation also may add to an employee's stress. And in many instances, the remaining employees may also be concerned that their jobs may be next to be cut. So they have additional stress that is typically not experienced by those whose jobs were already eliminated.
So if you are stressed out by your job, it is important for you to recognize that you are not alone. Just as importantly, you need to find ways to cope with that added stress. For some, keeping in mind that you are not alone in the situation can be helpful. You may wish to find ways to communicate with fellow employees in positive ways to provide emotional support for each other.
Some of the general suggestions for coping with stress include keeping physically active (exercise), getting sufficient rest and sleep, and eating a healthy diet. Beyond that, I encourage you to maintain a positive attitude, listen to motivational or positive messages or music, and read positive, uplifting materials. Don't forget to add some fun or joy to your day. You need to laugh on a regular basis. If you are a spiritual person, rely on your beliefs to give you strength. I also encourage you to try writing to express your feelings and relieve some anxiety.
[This topic will be continued in the next Web Log.]
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Ohio, designated as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She has been working with adults in transition for over 20 years. She provides coaching and counseling with individuals in person through Yager & Associates' Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and via telephone through Your Career Plan.
Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com, call Mary Ann at (513) 665-4444 x3, or send an e-mail to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Celebrating Career Development Month 2009
Each Year November is designated as National Career Development Month by the National Career Development Association of the American Counseling Association. As a career counselor, I am proud to be a part of that celebration. Throughout the year I work with individuals and groups who are considering, or are in the midst of, making career decisions and plans. The planning process seems to be simpler for some and more complex for others, but always a worthwhile endeavor.
We know that even the term 'planning' is distasteful to some people and interesting to others. Some get excited as we make plans for something new, others really dread planning and the details that should accompany it.
When I started counseling, I would explain to my clients about the four steps in career planning - know yourself, learn more about the world of work, make a decision, and develop and implement your plans. We then gradually moved to referring to it as 'managing your career' and I now suggest a 6-step process - starting with the same four steps, but adding set up checkpoints (to check your progress) and repeat as needed. No matter how you refer to it, it is no longer a one-time process. These days people are changing jobs and careers much more frequently than we used to. So you may find that you need or want to make a career or job change in the near future. Think of it as being the manager of your career - the author and director of your play that is your life. Or create another analogy to help you think about the process. The steps are important, even if you only need to review the first one. If you find you could benefit from some guidance through the process, please don't hesitate to find a counselor who can provide the assistance you seek. I encourage you to expand your vision of your future!
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Ohio, a Master Career Counselor (MCC) as designated by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She has over 20 years of experience assisting adults in transition. She meets with individuals in person through Yager & Associates' Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and via telephone through Your Career Plan.
Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com, call Mary Ann at (513) 665-4444 x3, or send an e-mail to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
We know that even the term 'planning' is distasteful to some people and interesting to others. Some get excited as we make plans for something new, others really dread planning and the details that should accompany it.
When I started counseling, I would explain to my clients about the four steps in career planning - know yourself, learn more about the world of work, make a decision, and develop and implement your plans. We then gradually moved to referring to it as 'managing your career' and I now suggest a 6-step process - starting with the same four steps, but adding set up checkpoints (to check your progress) and repeat as needed. No matter how you refer to it, it is no longer a one-time process. These days people are changing jobs and careers much more frequently than we used to. So you may find that you need or want to make a career or job change in the near future. Think of it as being the manager of your career - the author and director of your play that is your life. Or create another analogy to help you think about the process. The steps are important, even if you only need to review the first one. If you find you could benefit from some guidance through the process, please don't hesitate to find a counselor who can provide the assistance you seek. I encourage you to expand your vision of your future!
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of Ohio, a Master Career Counselor (MCC) as designated by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor. She has over 20 years of experience assisting adults in transition. She meets with individuals in person through Yager & Associates' Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and via telephone through Your Career Plan.
Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com, call Mary Ann at (513) 665-4444 x3, or send an e-mail to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Are You A Person Who Is Wondering About Their Future?
In today's economy, many people are concerned about their future as an employee of XYZ Corporation or ABC Agency. If you are someone who is wondering what tomorrow brings, it would be better to use that energy and time taking some positive actions instead of just "wondering".
To begin with, if you do not have a resume, or your resume is not up to date, that is where you need to start. even if you do not need to (or have to) look for a different job right now, I think it is always good to have an up-to-date resume. For one thing, if you have been working for very long in in the same position, you are likely doing some tasks that you did not do when you started. The best way to keep track of your accomplishments and job changes is to have it written down. Not only does that mean you will be closer to a 'ready' resume, if you need it unexpectedly, but it can also be a boost to your esteem to remember what you have accomplished over the last few years.
Of course, many people use the opportunity provided to them to look for a different line of work. Some of the people I have worked with whose positions were being eliminated were actually ok with the opportunity. Maybe they had been unhappy for some time, but did not feel a real push to do anything about it. Having their position eliminated gave them an opportunity to create a work experience that was more in line with their current interests and skills. Other clients decided to continue their education and needed a resume to go with their application to graduate school. So, I update my resume at least once a year, whether I need it or not.
Additionally, if you have not really thought about what you would like to do next, you can use this time to think about the kind of work you would like to do - if given the opportunity. I generally encourage my clients to consider their interests, skills and abilities, values, and personality strengths in considering what type of work would be a good fit for them. If you need some help doing an assessment, that is certainly available.
Once you have clarified what you know about your self, then you may need to learn more about the world of work. New jobs are being added to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (published by the Department of Labor) practically every day. Doing a little research to learn more about some of the job titles that exist can be helpful. Additionally, you may need to know whether the kind of work you want to do next is likely to be readily available or hard to find type of job.
By doing some of that research and assessment now, you can begin to clarify what you would like to do next and develop a plan to get there - on your time schedule perhaps, not your employer's.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), designated as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). In addition to over 20 years' experience as a career counselor and coach, she also has years of experience as a college academic advisor. She provides career coaching and counseling for life's transitions in person at Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and at a distance through Your Career Plan.
Visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com. Contact Ms. Davis at (513) 665-4444 x3 or YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
To begin with, if you do not have a resume, or your resume is not up to date, that is where you need to start. even if you do not need to (or have to) look for a different job right now, I think it is always good to have an up-to-date resume. For one thing, if you have been working for very long in in the same position, you are likely doing some tasks that you did not do when you started. The best way to keep track of your accomplishments and job changes is to have it written down. Not only does that mean you will be closer to a 'ready' resume, if you need it unexpectedly, but it can also be a boost to your esteem to remember what you have accomplished over the last few years.
Of course, many people use the opportunity provided to them to look for a different line of work. Some of the people I have worked with whose positions were being eliminated were actually ok with the opportunity. Maybe they had been unhappy for some time, but did not feel a real push to do anything about it. Having their position eliminated gave them an opportunity to create a work experience that was more in line with their current interests and skills. Other clients decided to continue their education and needed a resume to go with their application to graduate school. So, I update my resume at least once a year, whether I need it or not.
Additionally, if you have not really thought about what you would like to do next, you can use this time to think about the kind of work you would like to do - if given the opportunity. I generally encourage my clients to consider their interests, skills and abilities, values, and personality strengths in considering what type of work would be a good fit for them. If you need some help doing an assessment, that is certainly available.
Once you have clarified what you know about your self, then you may need to learn more about the world of work. New jobs are being added to the Dictionary of Occupational Titles (published by the Department of Labor) practically every day. Doing a little research to learn more about some of the job titles that exist can be helpful. Additionally, you may need to know whether the kind of work you want to do next is likely to be readily available or hard to find type of job.
By doing some of that research and assessment now, you can begin to clarify what you would like to do next and develop a plan to get there - on your time schedule perhaps, not your employer's.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), designated as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, and a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). In addition to over 20 years' experience as a career counselor and coach, she also has years of experience as a college academic advisor. She provides career coaching and counseling for life's transitions in person at Holistic Counseling Care of Cincinnati and at a distance through Your Career Plan.
Visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com. Contact Ms. Davis at (513) 665-4444 x3 or YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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