Author Archive
Good News For Employment
Posted by: | CommentsThere is good news finally in the employment sector. The U.S. job market should offer increased opportunities for workers in the manufacturing and service sectors in October 2009, according to the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) Leading Indicators of National Employment (LINE) survey report for October 2009. The competition for those jobs will no doubt be fierce but the future is getting brighter!
New Movie Shows How To Turn A Hobby Into Profit
Posted by: | CommentsMost people have heard the name Julia Child but few know the story behind her great success. The new movie Julie and Julia follows the life of Julia Child and Julie Powell who both become successful by turning their hobbies into profitable careers. The movie illustrates some very important points about career transition that everyone can use.
Do What You Love- I had assumed that Julia Child, being the famous cook as she was, had always known what she wanted to do and had been cooking professionally all her life. The truth is that she had no idea what she wanted to do and tried several things until she figured out that cooking was her passion. After she discovered her love of cooking, she was an unstoppable sensation. The same was true for author Julie Powell. She was in a job that she hated but when she started writing a cooking blog as a hobby, her talent was recognized and her dream of being a published author was fulfilled.
It Is Never Too Late To Discover What You Love- Did you know that Julia’s first cookbook was not published until she was 49 years old? She was never on television until age 50. Despite having a late start, her cooking career spanned 40 years. Julia was a shining example of not being afraid of being too old to start something new.
Never Give Up On Your Dreams- Both Julia Child and Julie Powell had reasons to give up on their dreams of success. Julia entered into the cooking world as a misfit. She was the only woman in her French cooking class, the only one that had trouble speaking French, the only one with no previous experience, and the only one that was 6’2” tall. Her first cookbook, Mastering The Art of French Cooking, received numerous rejections. Julia pressed on and eventually became a household name. The Smithsonian Museum even honored her with a display of her television kitchen.
Julie Powell had previously tried to be an author but her work of fiction was rejected. Despite having no followers for her cooking blog when she first started, she never gave up writing. Persistence paid off in a big way when she was offered several book deals upon the completion of her year long project.
Take it from Julia and Julie’s example which is if you do what you passionately love and don’t give up despite obstacles or having started late in life, you will be a success.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
What It Is Like To Be Coached
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever wondered what the experience of being coached would be like? Below is an article written by one of my clients about her experience of being coached by me.
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I am no stranger to seeking help when it comes to sorting out emotional or psychological issues. Throughout the last ten years of my life I have sought out counseling for myself. It has always been a positive and life changing experience. But where do you go when you do not necessarily need a counselor and the ear of your family and friends is not enough?
I recently got to a point in my life where I was overwhelmed and confused about where my life was going and where I wanted it to go. I knew I needed help to sort things out. Being in the field of psychology and counseling I knew that there were professionals out there that specialized in assisting others in their search for a life and/or a career change. I decided to find a career coach and thankfully found Stacy. I was not sure what to expect since all my experiences have been with counselors but I knew that it would be different. I knew that she would not be one to enlighten me on the matters of the mind or explain to me why I do the things I do. I also knew that this would not be a time to explore the past. After the consultation with Stacy I soon found out what the relationship would be like.
Stacy explained to me that we would be working together as a team. She was not going to tell me what to do but be a helper throughout the process. This was my journey and she was going to be there to guide, clarify, and probe. Through Stacy’s knowledge and experience, she was going to coach me as I went down the path of self-exploration and awareness.
I have seen Stacy for six months now. In this time, she has helped me not only figure out what I want for a career but assist me in making the changes that I need to make to get there. I came into the first sessions grieving over a life that I knew I did not have. I felt that there was something more out there for me but did not know what it was or what it looked like. Stacy was there to help me prioritize my wants and needs and ignite the spark to self-discovery. There were discussions that confirmed beliefs about who I was as well as the times when I walked away from our sessions seeing myself in a whole new light. The exercises she gave me opened a whole other world to me and she made me realize that it was completely possible to have a life in that world.
Being coached is an empowering experience. You are able to make the changes in your life because there is someone there to be a consultant and encourager. I am a more confident person because I know what my purpose in life is and I am taking the steps to fulfill that purpose.
-Amanda Jacob
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
Assess Your Job Search Plan
Posted by: | CommentsHere is a short quiz to help you assess your job search plan.
1. Are you clear on what job you want to pursue? Yes or No
2. Do you have a list of employers you are targeting? Yes or No
3. Do you know how to tap into the hidden job market? Yes or No
4. Do you have a strong network or people who are willing to recommend you? Yes or No
5. Do you have a resume that attracts employers to you? Yes or No
6. Do you have a brand that enables you to stand out from the competition? Yes or No
7. Have you utilized social networking sites? Yes or No
8. Do you feel confident in answering commonly asked interview questions? Yes or No
9. Are you setting daily and weekly job search goals for yourself? Yes or No
10. Do you have people in your life that are supporting you in your job search? Yes or No
Count up your number of yes answers.
Total of 8-10: You are well on your way to getting a job. You will need someone in your life to support you, encourage you, and hold you accountable in your goals. A few sessions with a career coach could really benefit you.
Total of 5-7: You have some things figured out but you still need a better plan to get a job in these times. Investment with a career coach would pay off as it would shorten your time in getting a job.
Total of 0-4: You may or may not realize it yet but you need help! With the unemployment rate rising, you can no longer afford to spend sufficient time looking for a job with no results. You will benefit greatly by meeting with a career coach to establish a solid job plan, revise your resume, and gain interviewing skills.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
Join Me At The Career Fair
Posted by: | CommentsJoin me this Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th at Expo Idaho for the Idaho Job and Career Fair. Expo Idaho is the new name for the Fairgrounds located on Glenwood and State in Boise. The times for the Career Fair are Tuesday from noon to 5 pm and on Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm. The career fair is sponsored by the Idaho Business League. I hope to see you there!
Should I Take Any Job To Have A Job?
Posted by: | CommentsThe question that is plaguing out-of-work job seekers is should I take any jobfor the sake of having a job? The answer, in simple terms, is you should do everything you can to avoid it. The most important thing for your career is to move it forward. You may ask “Am I not suppose to take a job unless it is my dream job?” The answer again is no. You can have several jobs until you are working in your ideal career but the key is with each successive job, you are getting closer and closer to your dream job.
You are the CEO of your career; therefore, you must be strategic in planning your future. Can you imagine an elegant restaurant suddenly adding fast food to their menu because they heard that fast food profit was increasing? The idea is ridiculous. In the same way, you cannot take any job for the sake of making a few dollars. Think always of your future and ask yourself “Does this job give me the experience I need to move forward to my ideal career?”
The concept begs the question of “What can I do if I need a job but I can’t move directly into my dream job now?” The first step is to make sure you have a very clear vision of what your ideal career is. You need to spend significant time on this step as it is the foundation of your plan. The second step is to do a gap analysis. Look at job descriptions in your ideal career and determine what skills, experience, and knowledge are missing from your resume. The next step is to fill in those gaps with positions that can build your experience. Determine only to take jobs that fill in the gaps. For example, if you dream of being a professor but have no teaching experience, consider taking a couple of part time adjunct positions. The jobs may be lower paying than a full-time position in another industry, but in the end, you will receive greater payback. The recession won’t last forever and you will be in a position to be a much more experienced candidate when companies are in the hiring mode again.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
What Is My Life Purpose?
Posted by: | CommentsHave you ever thought about what your purpose on earth is? It is a very thought provoking question that I dare say the majority of people have not taken the time to consider. But what if you did think about it? Could it change the way you live your life? Could knowing your life purpose actually impact your career? I propose that thinking through and determining your life purpose could dramatically change how you see your career. When there is purpose these is meaning to work. Your career is no longer about having a “successful” job but a job that fulfills your mission.
In thinking through your life purpose, here are some helpful questions to ask your self. 1) What things have I done that have brought me a deep sense of well being? 2) What are my essential beliefs or values? 3) How have I best been able to put these beliefs or values into actions? 4) What gift do I have to offer others? 5) What do I want to be remembered for? Take time for personal reflection. Other helpful activities might be to keep a journal and/or to interview others.
There are many different ways to articulate a life purpose. Marcia Bench in her book, Career Coaching, advocates writing the statement like “My life’s purpose is to ________ through ______________”. An example of this form is “My life purpose is to positively influence children in the world by working as a teacher and through my roles as a loving parent and volunteer. It really doesn’t matter how you choose to write the statement, only that you have the essence of it down on paper.
After your life purpose is developed, it can be used as a guide in decision making for both simple and complex matters. When you have options to consider, ask yourself which option will take you closer to fulfilling your purpose. Develop goals that will help you complete your mission. Above all, let your purpose be your theme to center your life around.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
Free Seminar: Five Steps For A Successful Career Change
Posted by: | CommentsAre you unsure of your career path? Are you struggling with the process of changing careers? If you answered YES, then join me for a free seminar where you will learn how to:
· Discover your right career fit
· Create your unique brand
· Live a more fulfilling life
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2008 from 7:00-8:00 pm
Where: The session will be held at the Boise Public Library located at 715 S. Capitol Blvd. in the Marion Bingham Room on the third floor. For additional information about the library, their website is www.boisepubliclibrary.com,
How to register: Send an email to LifeCoach@YourFulfillingLife.com with your name, email address and how you heard about the class.
Preparing for Change
Posted by: | CommentsThe New American Heritage Dictionary defines the word change as a verb meaning to cause to be different. So how do you prepare for something to be different? It seems like the concept could be considered an oxymoron because how can you truly know what will be different? The truth about career transition is that you won’t know what the end result will be but you can count on certain things to be consistent. One thing for certain is that you will be drawing from your whole being- emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally. Paying attention to each of these areas will go a long way in helping you deal with a pending career change.
When going through a life change such as a career change, you will experience a roller coaster of emotions- excitement, fear, happiness, sadness, etc. The feelings are a natural part of the process but at times may seem to be overwhelming. Be prepared for these feelings to arise and decide now how you might work through them. For example, you may find that journaling is an excellent method of dealing with emotions. If that is the method of choice, prepare by buying a special journal to have with you through the process. Another method may be talking with a trusted friend. For this choice, you could take the person out to coffee and explain what you will be going through and plan to meet once a week to talk.
Often we forget about the spiritual aspect of our lives when undertaking a change. It is sometimes difficult to take the time to pray and/or meditate when our lives become focused on change; however, this is the time when it is most important. Plan to take time by yourself to hear what God may be whispering to you.
Taking care of yourself physically is almost a cliché now days but it still is important to mention. Eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest does a body good.
A change is often mentally stimulating in itself; however, remember that continual learning is the key to overall success. Keep reading and listening to material that will enlarge your thinking.
Although you won’t be able to totally prepare for a career change, there are definite ways you can manage the process a lot smoother. Remember to prepare your whole being and you will be amazed at your progress.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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First Steps Without Fear
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Do you ever feel fear when thinking about changing careers? Fortunately, there are several simple things that you can do to relieve that nagging thought. First of all, identify what specifically is causing the negative emotion. Ask yourself what you are feeling. Is it fear of failure? Is it a feeling of being overwhelmed? Is it not knowing where to start? Knowing the cause of fear is the beginning of overcoming it.
Sometimes fear masks itself as procrastination. I have heard from many people that they would like to change careers but they don’t have the time to invest in it. Could it be they have the time but don’t want to face their fear? I suspect that it is case. To get over this hurdle, here is a simple technique to try. Set a timer for 5 minutes and in that 5 minutes concentrate fully on your career transition. Everyone has 5 minutes in the day to spare and it is absolutely amazing what can be accomplished. It seems that getting over that first 5 minutes is the biggest obstacle. I have tried it and found that even when I didn’t think I could possibly get beyond 5 minutes, I really could.
Add some fun to the process of thinking about career transition by allowing yourself to dream. Here is an idea to try. Imagine what the most fun jobs in the world would be. Don’t let education or money be barriers. Just allow your mind to come up with several scenarios. After thinking about it, write your thoughts down. Often there are common themes throughout the dream jobs, see if you can identify any. These themes can be the topic of your next planning session.
Perhaps the best way to alleviate fear is to talk it out. Enlist the support of a significant other, friend, or coach. It is amazing that once a fear is spoken about, it suddenly doesn’t seem to be nearly as scary as it was in your mind.
So if fear has you stuck, identify what the fear is, attack procrastination with the daily 5 minute plan, allow yourself to dream, and talk with a supportive person. Taking action in any small way melts the fear away.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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