The flowers aren’t the only ones blooming this spring. As we recover from the economic tumult, and high unemployment, many continue to rethink their career and redefine success – for themselves. People are popping with innovative ideas, allowing their personal brand to shine through and restructuring how and when they work.

Career transition often requires employing new tools, skills and/or a switch in perception. What’s emerging, is critical thought around the way we work. My Google reader is exploding with new stories, worklife books and lots of debate around balance in the blogesphere.

In the wave of change, some are switching careers, starting their own business, opting for higher education or acquiring new skills. The goals of these worklife pioneers: to better align their work with their values and passion, while still making a living and not burning out in what I call our WorkLife Nation which has seen a dramatic shift year over year.

“2009 was the year of the ‘career chaos economy,’ 2010 is the year of ‘career evolution economy’ infusing success, serenity and significance into our work life merge, locally and globally.”

I wrote about this back in December 2009 in this post: Redefining Business, Career and Personal Success in a Chaotic World. We’re collectively striving for better work life integration en mass like never before. It’s become a “WorkLife Movement” or “Revolution” of sorts.

Thriving in Our New Economy Takes Skill

Thriving in this new economy, requires adjustment, from the inside out. The evolution of our work life merge will manifest differently for everyone. It might mean doing work differently by embracing a more flexible or stress-free lifestyle in order to spend more time with family and children. For others it might involve switching to more fulfilling careers and embracing a business style which is more conscious of human capital.

New territory calls for a new train of thought. Whether you have decided to become an entrepreneur or start a new career, here are three skills which can keep you grounded while joining the goldrush toward a better worklife fit.

Communicating your Unique Message:
Articulating your business message with clarity and passion. This includes personal branding, by identifying the unique factor that embodies your essence. The “special something” that elevates your brand and uniquely makes you and your work distinguishable from others in your niche. The communication of your personal story or narrative is not surface material, it comes from a contemplative place.

Cultivating Resilience:
Navigating info overload, being productive and reducing stress. Employee Assistance Programs can only go so far in helping you get a handle on work related stress. You have to identify the stress factors, measure the impact of those stressors on your individual work life scenario, and then create your own program to tackle the issues with tools, programs and help from others. This might be as simple as taking on an exercise program, or getting help from a coach or wellness counselor.

Championing a Cause:
Embracing a cause that is bigger than yourself, which fuels internal change, creates community, and clarifies intention. With so many of us working overtime and doing more with less, this seems an elusive goal. But sustainable relationships inside and outside of work are often based on common purpose. When a thread of meaning runs through an organization or a group of like-minded people, it creates bonds and shared goals. When you champion a a cause that is aligned with your values, that intention feeds the joy within your individual work.

For the last 48 hours I’ve been bombarded with the same question from seasoned journalists, “What the heck is SOBCon?” With a mischievous squint of my eyes I answer, “If I tell ya, I’ll have to kill ya.” But after contemplative thought I came up with this:

“SOBCon is a gathering of social media avatars infused with a passionate purpose to change the landscape of human interaction on the web while building community.”

For three days I engaged in conversation with some of the most expansive minds in social media. Somewhat of a neophyte, I felt intimidated, but I was determined to be open to this new experience. To be quiet and be the student. A difficult role for a broadcast journalist who has reinvented herself in a brave new world where journalism is morphing rapidly into a business model that has yet to find its footing.

The Prescient Human Factor

SOBCon was an intense experience in the self preservation of the ego.  I felt like I was heading into the first day of junior high school with a really bad haircut and the wrong jeans. But here’s the difference. These experts in social media didn’t want to see me fail. Instead, they embodied what I consider to be my personal vision and mission here at WorkLifeNation.com  – the exaltation of the human experience in work and in business.

Right out of the gate, I reached out to Shelly Kramer of V3 Integrated Marketing (@ShellyKramer) on Twitter and she took me under her wing (along with HER wing woman the “snarky” Erika Napoletano (@RedHeadWriting). It was the first of many such fun and dynamic encounters.

Over dinner Shelly told me to get over the fear of being the beginner, to instead drink it all in, and realize that success in this playground was not about knowledge base per se, or about tossing around my personal brand in this crowd; it was about relationship building.

Her words were the harbinger of things to come over the weekend as a predominant theme was getting past fear – toward success. One of the solutions: don’t be attached to doing it alone.

It takes a freakin’ village when you hit the fork in the road

Co-founder of the conference, Terry Starbucker (@Starbucker) struck a pose and a note when he belted out, You’ll Never Walk Alone. His tone massaged by words of wisdom from Liz Strauss (@LizStrauss) who is also a co-founder.

“If you build it  – it’s not “they will come” it’s “they will bring their friends.”

Once again echoing the power of relationship. That’s why they call it social media. It’s supposed to be social. The deeper message here: understanding the core value of human relationships, interacting in an authentic way and staving off fear-based thinking.

The power of critical mass in tackling fear of success

The speakers reflected that message in their own original voice. This critical mass of minds weaved a tapestry of outside-of-the-box thinking that had my friend Cali Yost of WorkLifeFit.com (@CaliYost)and me in a perpetually frozen “ah-ha moment.”

Humor from the likes of Chris Brogan (@ChrisBrogan) and Jonathan Fields (@JonathanFields) lightened the load while we were injected with an intravenous sound portal, through which ran many other voices. That village I mentioned earlier. People like Hank Wasiak (@HankWasiak) whose Asset-based thinking forced us to reflect on our own inner demons with conviction: “Make desire more important than fear,” he told us.

And it wasn’t just those social media moguls who dished. I made new friends as we brain stormed together in between sessions at our tables.  People like Ann Michael of Delta Think (@AnnMichael) who said:

“Fear is one thing being paralyzed by it is another thing.”

And Susan Radojevic of the Peregrine Agency (@SusanRadojevic) who offered:

“Step out on the edge and figure it out while your falling.”

And finally, on the third day, the mingling of minds and metaphors as this critical mass tackled marketing strategies for three non-profits hoping for that silver bullet idea that would boost their on-line presence. In that sharing of ideas, we all benefited and were touched.

All of us elevating one another, challenging one another to take, as Steve Farber (@SteveFarber) suggested, that “Radical Leap.”  That fork in the road.

To read the never-ending stream of wisdom that is coming out of this gathering,  check out the #SOBCon Daily on-line.

I flew into Chicago yesterday on a crack of dawn flight from New York. With only 3 hours of sleep, as I had anchored the 10 pm show @News12 Long Island, I landed at O’Hare exhausted – but with more enthusiasm than I’ve had in years. And after reading Alexandra Levit’s Water Cooler Wisdom blog, it’s clear why I’m a bundle of joy and energy.

#SOBCON 2010

I’m in Chi-Town to participate in the #SOBCON social media intensive, “a think tank where the virtual meets concrete” and I see it as the harbinger of things to come, breathing new life into my work life experience. It’s an effort toward expanding my skills as a blogger and journalist while keeping my foot in the world of news. In her blog post, Alexandra shares thoughts on the consequences and benefits of how we spend our intellectual energy:

“Did you know that people get physically tired because of emotional factors such as boredom, frustration, and anxiety? True intellectual stimulation, on the other hand, doesn’t exhaust us at all. …I could write nonstop for 8 hours and then run a 5K immediately afterwards, yet after spending a few hours at my corporate job I could barely drag myself to the train station….

In today’s business world, compelling work is sometimes in short supply… If your work is getting you down, look for ways to expand your skills and responsibilities and communicate actively with your managers about how and where you can lend your expertise.”

Free Agents in the same boat

This same guidance goes for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent contractors. While such  “free agents” are often doing what they prefer in their careers, the mundane chores of “doing business” generally set in. What does it take to go to the next level in business, your career, or job? Alexandra makes some great points in her post which include volunteering, taking a personal development or leadership course, contributing a new process to your company toward more efficiency and finally – changing your attitude toward your job. Approaching your job with the enthusiasm of your first day at a new job.

Igniting joy and injecting serenity into your working experience

The last one got me going. Not just because of shining a fresh new set of eyes on ones career, but because of the “joy” factor. Is there a sense of joy in your work that you have overlooked? Are there certain responsibilities at your job or in your career that you take for granted? You might be skilled at something that gives you a sense of purpose and passion at work that to others, is not enthralling. Do you like to write, create graphics, or enjoy working with customers. Perhaps there are colleagues that make the daily grind a little better. Maybe it’s your commute or the freedom to have more work life flexibility. How can we look at our work through a different lens, and inject some “serenity” into our work life merge? Sometimes we walk past happiness without noticing it. One of my favorite poems from Rumi comes to mind:

The Guest House:

This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. ~ Rumi ~

In a our new competitive 24/7 economy, are you overlooking the good in the shadow of the mundane or chaos? Please share!

2009 brought a world to its knees. Financial giants and normal folk were thrown into the swirling chaotic waters of economic turmoil. But chaos offers an exquisite opportunity for growth and discovery of new models of success.

Just as the big banks have to restructure and adhere to new regulations in order to be successful, the rest of the world (yours truly included) have to adapt to the changing times, and perhaps discover and define new success models. Here at WorkLife Nation I’m devoting Mondays to tapping into that “success” wisdom from others. And a wisdom-filled tome from Seth Godin seems like a great way to start. More on that in just a bit.

Redefining Success

In a 24/7 world, all entities, organizations, businesses, and workers are forced to look in the mirror and contemplate what success is. What does success look like to you, your gut? Not just on paper, but in terms of morality, mission, personal values and for some commitment to community; something much bigger than themselves. Success is not stationary anymore, it’s fluid. The career ladder is now a lattice, and business is now global with no cultural boundaries.

This week, I stumbled upon what I’ll call a blueprint for a contemplative personal journey toward success, courtesy of marketing guru and blogger Seth Godin. His free e-book, What Matters Now includes wisdom from great thought leaders on positive changes and ideas toward making 2010 a year of success that matters, working and thinking in a way that perhaps makes a difference. What I prefer to call – “vocation.”

Godin taps the knowledge of more than 60 visionarys on everything from the ten-fold benefits of generosity to the ripple effects of education to the consequences of “forever.” You can read about that last one yourself as Godin has permitted the world to embed this document. He also encouraged the world to add to it, so here’s my contribution.

Vocation

A “vocation” is in its simplest definition means, “a calling.” The word is derived from the Latin word, vocare, meaning “to call.” It’s usage prior to the 16th century according to Wikipedia, is that calling by God to an individual to enter the priesthood or clergy.

But Martin Luther and John Calvin adopted the word in a more secular fashion or broader sense to mean commitment to ones community or a larger or greater purpose; “the sake of the greater common good.” Not just a divine calling to serve God, but as “a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action,” as defined by Merriam-Webster.

The later definition is what resonates in what I’ve termed in former posts as our “career chaos economy.” The upheaval has offered an opportunity for us to redefine success or restructure how we thrive by our OWN personal standards. Thriving in business or our careers has taken on new meaning in a culture of change.

Thriving is no longer just associated with the pinnacle of financial success, it’s the ability to progress or evolve in other ways. For example, a better work life fit, more family time, more down time, more passionate work, creating the work you love while making a profit and making a difference.

Achieving “vocation’ is not an overnight journey. It’s an inner journey filled with winding roads of contemplation. It’s the wisdom we’ve acquired through our accomplishments and the lessons we’ve learned from those dark nights of the soul. We might reflect on past failures and on what didn’t work; but most importantly we try to remember what truly brings us joy in the moment. Simply as Godin has stated What Matters Now. You can download it here or check it out on Scribd below.

What Matters Now

I’m keenly focused on the mirror in front of me while in tree pose taking a hot yoga class at Harbor Lights Yoga on Long Island. “Breathe,” I’m thinking to myself. I feel like I’m going to pass out. My thoughts focused on the countdown to completion, before I could bolt for the door from todays attempt at work life balance.

Yoga instructor Daniel Campbell (a friend and colleague) read my mind. “Judy, just a few more. (she laughs) I don’t have to tell YOU to breathe.” Daniel might be a yoga teacher (and oddly enough TV anchor) but in this scenario, she’s really my coach.

Life coaches come in many forms and we hire them for many reasons: personal development. career, fitness, stress reduction and even work life effectiveness . While it’s mostly anecdotal, The National Coach Federation website suggests an increasing interest in hiring life coaches especially in a recession economy when many are forced into job transition and baby boomers are rewiring their careers. With the blurring of the working and living experience in our WorkLife Nation, many are scrambling to figure out how to integrate the work life merge more efficiently with grace to avoid burnout.

The boom of interest has spread across the nation including on Long Island. Sunday, November 1st, the Long Island Coaching Alliance is hosting a conference, How to Thrive in Today’s World: An afternoon with New York’s Top Coaches. I’m thrilled to be presenting the keynote and receiving the groups Inspiration of the Year Award. You’ll have an opportunity to meet quality life coaches and to better understand the process of hiring one.

Career transition, mid-life crisis, and work life integration are among the many reasons to hire life coach. But how do you know if you’ll benefit from hiring a life coach?

“If you know you need support with a fresh perspective,” says life coach Rita Maniscalco who adds that coaching support is very different from therapy.

“Therapy works on understanding the past whereas coaching works on creating the future,” she says. If you’re looking for practical solutions and an accountability partner, you might consider hiring a life coach, Maniscalco suggests. Even if you’re not exactly sure where that future will lead according to Elizabeth Cassidy of Branching Out Life Coaching.

Describing the makeup of  potential clients who approach her, Cassidy says “They’re in there somewhere, and they know without a doubt that they want to and need to move ahead in their lives. But they need support and motivation – and dark chocolate when needed.” Part of that process is breaking through self-imposed barriers, reducing chaotic stressful patterns and creating realistic goals.

Lisa-Michelle Kucharz founded Ace The Race in 2007 as a career coaching company. You can find a life coach for just about anything these days, but Ms. Kucharz says each coach has “a unique style and recognizes the individual need of every client.”

“Many people seek the assistance of a career coach to figure out their ideal careers, re-enter the workforce, get their next promotion, find a new job, or start their own businesses,” says Ms. Kucharz who adds that those coaching sessions can take many different forms.

“The heart of most individual coaching arrangements is usually a regularly scheduled meeting that most often takes place over the phone once a week. Today, many coaches also are available by e-mail in between meetings,” says Kucharz.

Coaching sessions will generally focus on a client’s agenda, goal setting, strategizing, tracking results, discussing challenges, overcoming obstacles and celebrating successes. How to choose that special coach is a process, but well worth the effort to be sure you’re hooking up with the perfect fit for your needs. That means experience, referrals, and identifying your specific needs.

For example, I’ve been coaching clients to prepare them for media opportunities for many years. It takes time to articulate ones special message through ones own lens.  Talking points don’t come overnight and I know this because I’ve worked in media for twenty years. Talking points have to be massaged and contemplated before the right phrases emerge. My clients know this and that kind of patience is needed with life coaching as well. It’s a process of discovery and personal development with an eye toward building a new vocation – or reigniting your own passion.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right coach – for you.

1. Don’t just pick a coach off the internet. Get referrals from colleagues and friends.
2. Try your best to identify your greatest need for a life coach. Are you more concerned with finding a new job, changing careers or giving a boost to your current job status or career.
3. Speak with at least three different coaches prior to making a decision. Some coaches will offer a complimentary mini-session. This will give you a good idea of your chemistry with the coach.
4. Ask lots of questions about how they work. Some offer weekly phone sessions, others can work in person, but most are now working more and more over the internet. What works for your work life situation?
5. Price ranges can vary depending on the coach’s experience and the packages they offer. Some coaches offer deals for longer commitments. Ultimately your choice will be a mixture of your comfort level not only with cash – but also with your time.

Influenced by societal dictates of success, we sometimes focus on looking outside of ourselves to define a satisfying career, instead of what would really make us happy; a job or career that allows our true “authentic” passion to manifest. Because of the current economic crisis most of us will hold onto a job even if we’re unhappy. Too little time is spent “going within” to allow what really gives us joy – to emerge.

That’s why I’m a huge fan of career counseling. It’s not just throwing people into a role or job, but various processes that call on a person to go a little deeper into ones psyche, to pinpoint what makes them tick and what doesn’t. One of my long time mentors is a proponent of that approach; encouraging his clients to get silent enough, to listen. 

For nearly 15 years I’ve studied the work of E.H. Rick Jarow, Ph.D.,  an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Vassar College and former Mellon Fellow in the Humanities at Columbia University. As a sociologist specializing in career counseling, Jarow is the author of a number of books which have been crucial in the development of my own career as a journalist and in my media training work helping others to articulate their vocational mission.

Ricks books, The Alchemy of Abundance and Creating the Work You Love  were instrumental as I developed my career, but perhaps the glue that kept it all together was my personal inner work, sometimes on my own or in a group process with Rick.

Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to assist Rick at his workshop, “Creating the Work You Love” at the Omega Institute. I’ve taken this course a number of times and have always walk away from it with an even deeper perspective of my work. Rick’s philosophy is “not about processing conscious intension, but instead processing unknown consciousness.”  Not being attached to the outcome, each person instead worked on the intention of “allowing” what “authentic” work resonated within him/her self, to come forth.

Rick is facilitating a number of workshops at Esalen at Big Sur in August. You can check out the descriptions here.

If you’d like to hear more about Rick’s philosophy check out this interview that I did with him last year for WorkLife Nation.

Life’s Work in the Spotlight till the end

People die everyday, but when so many famous people transition at the same time it tends to garner media, and now, Twitter attention. It was easy to follow the events around the passings of a number of legends over the last week. But the deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and a few other household names made news mostly because of their respective legacies; their life’s work.

We were offered every detail of their work life legacy. From their death, to the details of their career, to the family foibles. Most of all, the body of work left behind by these masters of entertainment is front and center – at least for the time being. TV specials and documentaries abound, and reams of information are plastered across the Internet. We know more about their life’s work than ever before – and in real time due to Twitter.

This tsunami of information is a wave that is washing over our consciousness alerting us to their incredible contributions and causes reflection on our own life’s work. They did not have empty careers, but vocations. Michael Jackson was the King of Pop and opened doors for more African American artists, Farrah Fawcett put a face to cancer and brought attention to physical abuse in the movie The Burning Bed. Ed McMahon brought smiles to late night television audiences. And what’s more, they all arguably worked in some capacity until the end of their lives. From most accounts, even in difficult times, they embraced and valued their work.

The events of the last week made me think a lot about how we value or embrace our working lives. In this tumultuous economy,  it’s likely than many of us will work well into retiring age. If that’s the case why be cogs in a wheel? Why not give thought to ones unique contribution. Whether we work for ourselves or someone else, there are subtle ways in which we contribute.

We might be the glue that holds the morale together in the office, the tough love voice that guides the direction of a business, or the peaceful addition in an otherwise difficult workspace which has undergone downsizing. Our work,can impact others even when our own lives are in transition, even in death. Such in the case with a close friend.

Gifting others in our work in the face of transition

An artisan friend of mine whom I have written about before is dying as a brain tumor rapidly consumes her physically, but not mentally at this juncture. Even in what may be the final stages of her life, she occasionally engages in her work of restoring antique books and artwork. I learned this not through speaking with her about it, but instead through a matter-of-fact moment.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend some time with this talented woman at her home in the mountains of upstate New York. It’s the first time I had seen her since the operation to remove the tumor. The procedure, along with chemotherapy will likely prolong her life by a few months, albeit with the consequences of hair loss and exhaustion.

After the hellos, she said she had something for me that was very important. Taking care of business was clearly paramount. I had no idea what was coming as she walked into the next room. To my wonderment she returned with an antique Torah scroll wrapped in blue velvet with Hebrew characters burnt in gold on the outside.

In the last few weeks as she recovered from brain surgery she took time to restore the ancient paper of this scroll which belonged to a mutual friend. It had been in his family for generations; a lineage that began back in Russia; when Russia was Russia.

Repairing this document was not work for her she explained, but instead an opportunity to forget about her pain for a short time and engage in her craft- her vocation.  Although it was clearly a painstaking process as she is losing control over the left side of her body, it was a joyful creative process. My friend is not famous, but her work will live on and be appreciated long after she is gone. Her life’s work was really a vocation; a manifestation of her core brilliance which we had the pleasure of enjoying, even for a short time.

We live, we work and we die. And if we’re lucky our career will manifest more as a vocation instead of the nine-to-five grind of the typical workplace.

Below is a bit of inspiration. It’s U2′s Beautiful Day. The lyrics are included.

Oprah, Madonna, Hillary Clinton. These female icons carry immeasurable marketing weight. The voices of these women are written in stone, as their personal brands have permeated the Internet and beyond. Even as they have evolved, these brands have been concretized in the consciousness of society in general, let alone their contributions to the historic implications of the feminine brand – and the power of the female voice.

The web is the vehicle, but the portals and organizations working toward boosting the feminine brand and voice are exponentially growing. For example, The Women’s Media Center which is working toward making women more visible and powerful in the media. It’s backed by Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda and Carol Jenkins – solid brands. Certainly the Huffington Post, while offering up a mixture of male and female voices has put some heavy hitting female brands on the map. BlogHer.com was one of the first out of the gate making such contributions. Now look to Slate’s new venture The XX Factor: What Women Really Think to do the same.

The theme of personal branding has been a consistent thread of discussion here at WorkLife Nation. In a time when many are struggling to keep their jobs, are looking for one, or are starting their own businesses, some career experts are touting the benefit of boosting one’s personal brand to stay competitive. 

Personal branding is not a new concept, but the Internet has changed the landscape. For women in particular, perhaps the web and social media in general have leveled the playing field.  That’s why I was happy to write the following article for Personal Branding Magazine. You can learn more about the on-line magazine by clicking here.

The Evolution of the Feminine Brand

Legendary gossip columnist Liz Smith fell victim to the budgetary ax at The New York Post in February. The 86-year old continues to write her nationally syndicated column and has a substantial web presence.  Smith has lent her name or “personal brand”  to  Women on the Web  (WoW) as one of its founders. The popular site tackles everything from fashion to politics through the female lens.

Smith is practically an institution. At WoW, she is joined by the likes (and brands) of Lesley Stahl, Whoopi Goldberg (also of ABC’s The View) and Miss Manners – Judith Martin. Their voices are respected and ideals transparent. There’s a page on the site entitled, Change the World. And that, says branding expert Elsie Maio, is just one illustration of how the power of the feminine brand has evolved through the Internet.

“The feminization of business is upon us. I don’t mean womanization, but the ascendance of values that our culture has associated with the Feminine,” says the Founder and President of Maio & Company, a business strategy and branding company which coined the term, “soulbranding.” “The Feminine’s natural impulse is to nurture, care for and include the collective,” says Maio, adding that women are no longer afraid to publically embrace those values, talk about them and associate them with their brand.  “Compartmentalizing our humanity is what got us into trouble, integration is the key and you see it in women’s branding trends.”

Eileen Tanne of WomensEducationCenter.com agrees that the strategic branding of women is evolving. Tanne has marketed to women for more than 16 years and has worked with Ms. Magazine and Gloria Steinem. “Generations ago, professional women had a very tough time branding themselves partly because they were uncomfortable with self-promotion,” Tanne says, adding that the male dominated media venues made it difficult to have a strong voice; not so any longer. “The internet offers women the opportunity  to control how we want to be perceived and how our voices are heard.”    

The female brand in particular, is getting a jolt from the increase in women owned businesses, says Barbara Litrell, former publisher of Working Mother magazine. “Women have been running businesses in great numbers since the 1970’s,  but they are branding themselves more confidently now, as they support one another in partnerships,  thus enhancing their own brands.”

Ultimately, branding is now about presence, platform and personality, says Kim Weiss, the Communications Director for book publisher Health Communications Inc. “Women tend to be personality driven and appeal to the personal part of their audience,” says Weiss who says women are taking their personal stories to the internet generating  more interaction. 

Case in point, the use of strategic social media fueled by a dynamic heart wrenching story lead to the successful branding of  HCI author Laurie Perri, who blogs at the highly popular CrazyAuntPurl.com. “Everyone is hanging their shingle out, but no ones going to click on you unless you give them a good reason to,” says Weiss.

While scrambling for a job, in the hectic chaos of that search often we forget to look in our own backyard for resources. There, one can find not only a contact or two, but perhaps some inspiration in the work life challenges that come along with the job search.

In a recent conversation with career transition expert Bob Simmons, CEO of Career Transitions Associates, he shared a story of a boomer who after many attempts sending her resume into the black hole of the typical job search, attended a career support club or salon. The results were not immediate, but instead organic.

One relationship lead to another, and another. Within weeks, word of her skills virally spread throughout this support network to an appropriate employer who was magically searching for someone with her profile. Since she was heading back to work due to her 401-K being demolished in the market tumble, her disposition wasn’t exactly peachy. Being able to vent weekly at her Job Guide Club, she received guidance and along with kind words of support.

Bob Simmons runs the Job Guide Club in Plainview, Long Island.  It’s now up to 31 members who meet every other week and support one another during the highs and lows of the job search. I asked him a few questions about the job hunting  process in general. 

JUDY: What are the greatest vehicles to network in the current climate-in order of importance?

BOB: Face to face networking followed by phone networking followed by social networking on the web followed by e-mail networking.

JUDY: What happens at a job salon or club?

BOB: The clubs I have been running for a number of years provide the following advantages:

1. Gain complete proficiency with “Tell Me About Yourself,” exercises. Can you tell a person why you will be a good employee if hired? 
2. Discussion of  job search concerns and issues ranging from “I lost my job last last week” to advise on negotiating a new salary offer.
3. Discussion around difficult subject matters:  ”How do you handle two DWI convictions and some jail time over the past five years when you are looking for a new job?”
4. Support from present club members along with a network support list of over 1500 names, the majority of whom, have landed jobs.
5. Networking Socials: Periodic social networking parties which bring together a number of other job clubs to mingle and further network.
6. Recently we established a CTA Job Club Member Yahoo Group which now has over 75 members and is growing. This promotes further job search and network communication between club members.

JUDY: How important is it to dive into the social media landscape to network for a job?

BOB: Very important. The more eyes and ears of people who know I am looking for
a job, the better the chance for success. This is a concept I repeat over and over again.

JUDY: What are the three most important things you should be able to communicate to a prospective employer within minutes?

BOB:  Career focus, followed by your applicable business strengths and examples –  along with your education if appropriate.

JUDY: What are the best exercises for the brain and morale that one can engage in while job hunting? 

1. Stay in today, meaning don’t project the future and possible negative ramifications. ie: “What will happen if I don’t have a job six months from now?”
2. Create a daily “To Do” List to keep your job search focused and ongoing.
3. Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people. Avoid those who live life with a moan and groan attitude.
4. Pay attention to the little events in your job search, such as a recruiter calling you to discuss your resume which may lead to no further activity, or someone willing to walk your resume into a company –  both of which may require follow-up.

Changing jobs or looking for a new one does not have to be a lonely journey. Building a community around your search through networking can bare fruit in career and support in your work life transition. Career coach & resume writer Bob Simmons can be reached at 516-501-0717.

Networking, especially within the social media landscape has been the game of choice for many as they reassess their career choice and jobs. A close second; the master-minding groups popping up in local arenas to discuss career path.  But here’s another form of engagement to muddle through this “chaos career economy:”   meeting with like-minded souls in a collective evolutionary leap of faith. No freaking agenda – just a deep conscious plunge into the void to experience what emerges. That’s what a bunch of us did recently.

Just four of us dished on whatever came up.  All wanted to take our work to a new level – but we didn’t know what that would look like. The guidelines were simple: no agenda but a commitment to keep an open mind, an open heart, and to suspend all judgement of what people were saying.

What emerged was a mishmash of stuff:  work life balance, integration, flexibility, career direction, human values, goals, family, animals, children and what brought joy into our lives inside  - and outside  of the career sphere. 

For three hours one conversation lead to the next and by the end of the gathering, every one of us came away with all or one of the following: 

1. A new blog post idea
2. A new contact
3. A new resource related to product or service
4. A refreshing take on our careers
5. A new appreciation of our colleagues work and our own value

There was not one person sitting at that table who didn’t want to cancel that evening due to myriad reasons, but some sort of latent curiosity or trust in the unknown brought everyone to the table – albeit kicking and screaming. It provided an opportunity to just stop the flow of the day, enjoy a meal and good company. The fruits of this seemingly laborious task couldn’t be measured. Invaluable, by all accounts. It became an organic unfolding of conscious attention to just being human.

The greatest gift was an opportunity to switch the career lens to “open and inviting”. To allow whatever needed to come forth – emerge as human beings. How refreshing. Any of you out there just mixing to mix, to build relationships without agenda. Please share!