15 Steps To The Ideal Career For The New Ambitious Professional …

Natalie, a frustrated high school graduate, had been in and out of jobs for four years after graduating high school. She was referred for coaching because she was annoyed at the way employers treated her and she refused to accept it. The lack of income did not help as she needed to meet her needs.

This situation is common among young adults who are in the early stages of their career and ‘waiting’ for their ideal job (and yessss among others with years of experience too). The 15 Strategies listed can be adapted to secure employment, gain valuable experience and bring you closer to your ideal career.

Career Goals: 15 Steps To Success

1. Apply For Entry-Level Positions
  • Target entry-level positions in your field of interest.
  • Look for internships, apprenticeships, or part-time positions to gain hands-on experience.
2. Enhance Your Resume
  • Highlight relevant skills, coursework, and any extracurricular activities.
  • Tailor your resume for each application to match the specific job requirements.
3. Networking
  • Attend industry events, workshops, and networking mixers.
  • Connect with professionals on LinkedIn and engage in conversations.
4. Online Job Platforms
  • Explore job search platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and company websites.
  • Set up job alerts to receive notifications for relevant positions.
5. Temporary Work or Freelancing
  • Consider taking temporary positions or freelancing opportunities to build your skills and network.
  • Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can be good for freelancing gigs.
6. Professional Development
  • Take online courses or certifications to enhance your skills.
  • Mention ongoing learning initiatives on your resume to showcase your commitment to personal and professional development.
7. Volunteer Work
  • Offer your time to non-profit organizations or community projects.
  • Volunteering can provide valuable experience and demonstrate your dedication.
8. Informational Interviews
  • Reach out to professionals in your field for informational interviews.
  • Gather insights, seek advice, and express your eagerness to learn from their experiences.
9. Create Online Portfolio
  • Build an online portfolio showcasing your projects, coursework, or any freelance work.
  • Include a link to your portfolio on your resume and LinkedIn profile
10. Skill Development
  • Identify skills in demand within your industry and work on acquiring them.
  • Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Skillshare offer a variety of courses.
11. Professional Social Media Presence
  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete and professional.
  • Share relevant content and engage with professionals in your field.
12. Industry Research
  • Stay informed about trends and changes in your desired industry.
  • Use this knowledge to tailor your applications and interviews.
13. Career Counseling Services
  • Seek guidance from career counseling services offered by educational institutions or career centers.
  • They can provide insights into job opportunities and help you refine your career goals.
14. Participate in Job Fairs

Attend job fairs, both virtual and in-person, to connect with employers and explore potential opportunities.

15. Soft Skills Development
  • Work on developing essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability.
  • These skills are often highly valued by employers.

Remember, the job search process can take time, and being open to various opportunities can lead to unexpected but valuable experiences. Stay persistent, connect with a coach, maintain a positive attitude, and continuously refine your approach based on feedback and experiences.

Cheers to a revealing journey of learning!

Waiting For The Next

Some sit in silence

Waiting for death 

Then a day passes. 

Then a week, month, a year

And before we know it, 

A decade has passed by

In a flash

Young, old, sick, depressed

Sit silently, waiting

Time passes while we wait on life for the perfect life

Don’t wait I say. 

Get out there

 Do something 

No matter your age, status or health

Just do something 

Don’t wait

The perfect life doesn’t exist

5-Day Road Trip Plan To Captiva Island

Wander. Get lost on an intriguing Road Trip. Discover the new.

~Dr Shelly

Stone building designer Chrissy dreamt of getting away. She was exhausted. We connected. She was open to whatever plan I could come up with. It was awhile since she took a work break. Quickly I planned a getaway to Captiva Island, Florida. Here I share.

5-Day Getaway Plan

Day 1:
Road trip to Captiva
Lunch at Wicked Wings, a low-keyed hole in the wall pub that satisfies starving travelers before hitting the road to their final destination

Day 2:
Relax in the Sun, Sand, Sea engulfed in a delightful adventure riding the waves

Day 3:
Spa Day – Body massage, Facial, Mani and Pedi, a sure rejuvenation for the exhausted

Day 4
Shopping and Late dinner at the Harbor Side Bar and Grill

Day 5
Early morning beach wet. Late breakfast followed by reluctant afternoon drive back to the fast life.

Where’s your favorite getaway space? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Future Thinking …

Focus on the Future

If you want the present to be different from the past, study the past.

Baruch Spinoza

The question was asked “Do you spend more time thinking about the future or the past? Why?” Here I share.

To shape the future, it requires focus to navigate the journey ahead. Looking back on the past is important to assess how far you have come. To be more clear, it is important to keep score. Looking back on the past year(s) help you to analyze your successes as well as those areas requiring possible improvement. At times there may be the need to make a u-turn.

It’s like sitting an exam. You reflect on the theoretical steps applied combined with the practical to gain the learning. Then sit the exam and receive a pass or ‘fail’. You then analyze next steps. You may need to resit the exam or some persons may choose to do a total revamp to make that giant leap towards achieving their goal.

Here’s hoping you will understand the need to look back to get ahead.

Cheers!

New Entrepreneurs Growing Pains: 5 Factors To Consider

Entrepreneur Growing Pains

Joy was excited about launching her business and she did! Now six months later, she has been finding it difficult to survive financially. With rising debt and living expenses, she is unable to make ends meet. She reached out for coaching to tackle her inner stress while pondering if she had made a mistake.

This situation is common to many first-time entrepreneurs. Statistics show that many small businesses fail during the first year. Most ponder giving up or staying the course. The decision between working on their new business or getting a job often depends on various factors. Here are a few:

  1. Financial Stability: If an entrepreneur’s financial situation is precarious and their business isn’t generating immediate income, getting a job might be necessary to cover living expenses and support the business financially.
  2. Business Stage: Early-stage businesses might require time and effort before becoming profitable. In such cases, working on the business while having a part-time job or a source of stable income could be a feasible option.
  3. Learning Curve: New entrepreneurs might benefit from working in the industry they’re entering. A job can offer insights, experience, and networking opportunities that can be invaluable for their business.
  4. Time Commitment: Running a business demands a significant time commitment. If the business requires full-time attention to get off the ground, working solely on the business might be necessary initially.
  5. Risk Tolerance: Some entrepreneurs prefer to dedicate all their time and energy to their business, even if it means financial strain initially, while others might opt for a more gradual approach to reduce financial risk.

In many cases, a hybrid approach—working part-time or freelancing while gradually growing the business—can strike a balance between financial stability and business development. It allows entrepreneurs to sustain themselves while dedicating time to their entrepreneurial venture.

Ultimately, it’s crucial to assess individual circumstances, weigh the pros and cons, and make a decision that aligns with both the financial needs and the growth potential of the business.

Are you a new entrepreneur experiencing first year growth pains? Which of the above will you adopt and apply to your situation? Are there any others that you have considered? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Jobs That Will Disappear In The Next Decade …

Things change. Nothing remains forever

As a leadership coach who has help many transition their careers in business and entrepreneurship, I was curious when I came across MSN’s Andrew Herring’s story on careers that will disappear in the next decade. Here I share.

Is Your Job On The List?

  1. Drivers. Not sure if I am ready to be driven around by driverless cars, but ready or not, it’s coming.
  2. Customer Service Reps were the ones we couldn’t live without. These days we have to since we cannot get a ‘human‘ on the phone. Besides, who wants to speak with anyone anyways in this text era?
  3. Factory workers. No surprise here considering automation.
  4. Travel Agents. They are more travel smart but airlines direct sales to our emails, we keep forgetting their value.
  5. Bank Tellers. Can’t recall the last time I went into a bank line. Drive through, online check negotiations and direct deposits from employers, this is believable.
  6. Proofreaders. I still like this especially as an author but lots of software available, so this is not so far-fetched.
  7. Receptionists. Wonder who will I see when I walk into brick-and-mortar businesses? Hotel check-ins, direct to agent services, I guess?
  8. Bookkeepers. Who uses them anyway when Ai keeps track and easily track expenses, reconcile and fast generate reports?
  9. Data Entry Clerks. Check what your phone scan feature can do. Yep, it can easily read handwriting and convert it into digital text. Absolutely convenient.
  10. Telemarketers. I think my 91-year-old uncle will miss answering the phone angrily. It seems the calls never stop these days.

So, there you have it. Ensure that the job of your dreams still exists before you invest in it. Otherwise, are there any jobs missing from the list? Or should any be removed? Please share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

5 Points To Consider When Transitioning Into A New Career

11 Challenges Of First Time Supervisors …

Manage the Overwhelm

Janet was elated when she was promoted for her exceptional skills and expertise in performing her job. Within a few weeks she called expressing her frustration as she felt like an imposter. She was finding it difficult to handle the challenges of her new role.

Challenges and Problems New Supervisors Face

Here are some common problems and challenges new supervisors often face:

  1. Lack Authority -Promoted but struggle to influence former peers.
  2. Ineffective Delegation – New supervisors may want to prove themselves by doing it all without delegating. End up micromanaging or miss opportunities to empower their team.
  3. Poor Time Management – Often end up buried in daily tasks compromising productivity.
  4. Mishandling Performance – avoid difficult conversation or acting too aggressively to assert authority.
  5. Poor Communication skills -Giving direction or feedback is unclear, not listening or making assumptions.
  6. Maintaining friendships – Boundaries blur as new supervisors must now manage former co-workers who were friends.
  7. Lack of leadership training – often promoted without receiving adequate training.
  8. Unrealistic expectations – new supervisors may feel they know everything already or may want to quick-fix long standing issues quickly.
  9. Imposter syndrome – doubt their abilities, lack confidence, or feel underqualified.
  10. Stress and work/life balance – they become overwhelmed by the pressures of the responsibilities of the new role.
  11. Go it Alone – Does not seek help from a coach who can help them navigate the new role.

With proper mentoring, training, and experience over time, these common pitfalls can be overcome. Patience, self-awareness, and a learning mindset are key for successfully transitioning to supervisor.

Connect with a leadership coach who will help you confidentially maneuver the challenges of your new role.

Questions or need to add any missing challenge? Do share, we would be glad to hear.

Cheers!

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com

2023 Holiday Gift Guide For Book Lovers …

Give the gift of insight, inspiration, and growth this holiday season! Delve into the world of leadership, self-discovery, inspiration and professional development with these curated books. Perfect for friends, family, or colleagues seeking to elevate their leadership skills and embark on a transformative journey. Click the Gift Guide, choose a book that sparks growth and ignites the potential within your loved ones this festive season!

Each Book link takes you directly to Amazon where you can buy, beautifully gift wrap and place under your well-lit sparkling Christmas tree. Voila! They’re thrilled!

Hope this guide has inspired your gift giving. E-books are perfect for last minute book shoppers. Grab copies for the perfect New Year’s gift. Oh, don’t forget to get a copy of my just released book RedLight: When God Says No which completes the GreenLight trilogy.

Can’t decide which to get? Let’s Connect!

7 Symptoms of Being In A Job You Hate During The Holidays

Being in a job you dislike during the holidays can amp up feelings of discontent and stress. Here are some common emotions individuals like yourself might experience:

  1. Increased Stress: The holiday season, which is supposed to be joyful, might instead feel overwhelming due to the added pressure of work dissatisfaction.
  2. Isolation and Loneliness: Feeling disconnected or alienated from colleagues who seem to enjoy their work or take time off can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
  3. Increased Disengagement: Lack of interest in work can escalate, making it challenging to focus or contribute positively.
  4. Heightened Frustration: The contrast between the festive spirit around and the negative feelings about work can lead to increased frustration.
  5. Impact on Mental Health: Prolonged dissatisfaction at work during the holidays might affect mental well-being, leading to anxiety or depression.
  6. Strained Relationships: The stress and dissatisfaction from work can spill over into personal relationships, impacting interactions at home or with loved ones during the holidays.
  7. Sense of Hopelessness: Feeling stuck in a job you dislike might increase the sense of being trapped or unable to change your situation.

These feelings can make it especially challenging to enjoy the holiday season and can have a significant impact on the overall well-being of individuals like yourself.

If you’re in a job you hate that’s causing you to experience any of the emotions above, don’t do it alone. As a leadership coach with decades of experience, let’s connect to discuss your next steps.

Well what are you waiting for? Let’s connect

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