Last week eight brave souls signed up for my 30-minute free coaching sessions. Congratulations! It was exciting on so many levels. The first lesson is a “listen up” for job searchers — I sent three sign-up reminders and only had two people register until that third reminder. It’s a huge lesson to all those, including me, who imagine that if we just get a cover letter or promotion conversation perfect, we don’t have to bother people with follow up. People are busy. You have to reach them multiple times for them to realize you are serious, and respond.
The second is around complacency in career management. Too many of us think that if you work hard and are good at your job, career will take care of itself. Simply not true. I re-learned this lesson in June when a smart colleague told me I was being complacent about my coaching practice. You see, I held having a referral based business as a point of pride. The fact that clients were sending their friends and corporate clients were asking me back seemed to be the ultimate sign of success. Work hard, be effective, things will take care of themselves. But that pride around referrals allowed me to hide from the discomfort of putting myself out there. I see it every day with clients and there I was falling victim to the same bad habits.
The good news is that putting yourself out there works! It is uncomfortable, no doubt. But every day I see the excitement clients feel when they realize that their actions are having a direct impact on what’s happening in their career. It’s like a light goes on and they feel in control again. Here are my two favorites on job search and career strategy: Through the Brick Wall* and Expect to Win. Congratulations to those who joined me on Friday. You took the first step. Career Management is separate from your professional abilities and needs attention.
Clarity Hotspots: In October I began Clarity Hotspots, video blogs and social media posts where I share insights as I go. With all that’s going on, once a week blog posts no longer feels like enough! To join me on those sites, please go to: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn to connect.
The F-Word: From Fear to Fulfillment: I want to invite you to a fantastic event my two colleagues are producing in Brooklyn in December. Come and learn how to make decisions from a place of clarity, not confusion. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Breakthrough Careers – How to be happy right now, and get unparalleled clarity about what you want next. And finally, last week I announced the first of my monthly Q&A calls. Please bring your questions and hear best practices from me and others: Click Here for the Link
In this week of gratitude, I am so thankful to be able to work with so many of you to create the career and life you want. What a gift.
All my best,
Claire
*This book is 25 years old and does not have a lot about on-line search. Subsequent Kate Wendleton books have that, but this one spells out the strategy really well.