The Beginning

My Story
 
So, where do I begin? If you checked out My Story you already have a bit of my background under your belt. For those who have not, no problem. I’d like to start with my ‘why’. It is important to recognize the meaning behind your actions and my intent is to share my meaning with you. I am personally motivated by the climb and watching others hearts and eyes open to their own climb.
 
‘Cut’ The Cookie Cutter
 
The nature of cookie cutter career coaching is to help clients through documents, such as resumes, cover letters and LinkedIn accounts. Many services offer these documents and then send clients off on their merry way to handle the rest of the lifelong career process by themselves. Some also turn clients away for gaps on their resumes or unclear work history for concerns it may blemish their statistics. I am not saying any of these methods are incorrect, but it is not my viewpoint on how career coaching should be handled.
 
Career Advisement
 
I take a career advisement standpoint and recognize this process should be an infinite investment to engage in our best and most fulfilled lives. Building off that main pillar, we are all human, so everything is not perfect and that is okay. Imperfections are simply obstacles we work through. Constructing this state of actions begins with engaging in conscious behavior about our careers. We spend the largest part of our lives working and often find ourselves in a cylindrical process not truly gaining purpose through these actions. If you’re employment creates a sense of flow from within and motivates you daily, then I am proud to say you are winning. If not, let’s have a conversation about what steps you could take to gain more fulfillment from your work.
 
The Fundamentals
 
To my clients who are on the job hunt, there are steps you can take to simplify the somewhat grueling process. I have been in the situation where you’re working a full-time job and then come home at night to sit with your computer and continue the job search which in itself also feels like a full commitment. It is not fun and can be discouraging to take the plunge.
 It is important to lay out short and long goals from the beginning as to what roles you are applying for. The first crucial piece of this puzzle is what are you looking for? What do you want that you are not currently receiving? Is it more challenge? Do you want a leadership position? What about work life balance, or a raise? The list is endless, but each one is personalized. If you’re going to take on the job search process by the horns, know what you want. Further down the line when the interview arrives, it is important to be prepared to also interview the company stating your expectations up front. Now, before I go off too much on these thoughts, your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn (to name a few resources) are the essential pillars representing who you are and what has driven you thus far. It is common knowledge recruiters take a limited time to review resources before moving on to the next candidate, so making an impact is key.
 
 
Personal Portfolio
 
For those of you who are doubtlessly happy with your work, take a second and entertain this scenario. It is common practice to go to the doctor or your chosen financial institution for a check-up, correct? But, when is the last time you had a career check-up?
The role of a career adviser (or my actions, anyway) are to support you through your entire career. So, how does that work considering I’m on the outside? Each month or quarter it is vital to discuss and document extra job functions you have taken on, accolades received, projects completed, etc. The purpose is to develop a personal portfolio prepared with each and every step you have taken to make yourself a more well-rounded professional. Some industries refer to this document as a brag book, but whatever you want to call it, it’s important. The second purpose of your personal portfolio is to create accountability for your goals. When your actions and goals are organized, it is much easier to track progress and question when things are not fitting the timeline. Lastly, with a documented personal portfolio you are always prepared to walk into a meeting with the leadership team, your boss or even a client to prove your worth right before their eyes. Not only will they be impressed by your accomplishments, they will be floored by your initiative and organizational skills to keep everything up to date.
 
Heartfelt Thank You
 
This is just the beginning of the assistance I plan to provide to my clients. If there is value I can share, it will be shared. I am personally rewarded by witnessing clients recognize and become conscious as to where they are with their careers, what they can do to celebrate the small wins and how to propel forward. In advance I want to say thank you for your engagement and recognition of your own true abilities. Stay tuned for more in depth tips and tricks to mastering control over your personal and professional development.


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