An Amazing Offer From NCDA

We have just received word about the following deal! Do read on.

The National Career Development Association is pleased to offer individuals who have successfully completed a NCDA Career Development Facilitator (CDF) training program, from an NCDA approved training provider, a FREE One-Year Trial Membership to NCDA. This means all of our GCDF gradutes are eligible!

Carla and I have been members of the NCDA for several years, and I have attended their past two conferences. In fact, at last year's conference in San Francisco, there were over 11oo people who attended from 40 countries. The breakout sessions were very informative and I really enjoyed getting to meet the rock stars and rising theorists in our field such as Dick Bolles, Sunny Hansen, and Jim Bright.

CDFs can enjoy the following NCDA benefits:
· Complimentary copy of the latest issue of the NCDA professional journal – Career Development Quarterly.
· Complimentary copy of NCDA’s magazine – Career Developments.
Discounted NCDA member registration to attend the NCDA global career development conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 30 – July 2, 2011.
· Discount NCDA member rate on NCDA published materials.
· Resources – The member’s only section of the website offers a wealth of information to assist career practitioners to provide excellent service to career clients.

NCDA CDF graduates can complete their FREE One-Year Trial Membership by visiting the following link: https://www.tcslabs2.com/cgi-bin/PRIMA/tcsPRIMA2.pl?Action=DisplayRegForm_Step1&EventID=159&RegNo=1&StartNewReg=1&UID=NCDA,130285
You will need to follow the directions and use CDF5000 as the comp/promo code. You must complete your membership by June 1, 2011 in order to take advantage of this unique opportunity. This offer is only valid for those CDF completers living in the United States.

Questions or comments regarding this FREE One-Year Trial Membership may be directed to Mary Ann Powell at mpowell@ncda.org or phone (918) 663-7060.

Resume Section Headers - Not Set In Stone

We are all familiar with the most common resume section headers - Objective, Professional Experience, and Education. However, in our fall GCDF resume training, we shared that resume headers are not set in stone. While this can be very freeing for our clients, it can also keep us on our toes as GCDFs. Which section headers will help your client put their best foot forward and showcase their experience, skills, training, in the most effective manner? What may work for one client, is not necessarily the best way to showcase your next client. One of my favorite section headers that I use with clients is "Community/Civic Involvement". This section header captures ways in which the client may be involved in the community (often in leadership roles). Unfortunately, this excellent information tends to get left off since clients do not think to put it on their resume or they are just not sure where to put it on their tradition resume. I recently stumbled upon a post that will give GCDFs an extra tool to help expand that list of header options for our clients. Take the time this week to review 111 Smart Resume Section Headings and Titles. Which new headers and titles will you be sharing with your clients?

Non-Desk Jobs

"I don't want to sit at a desk all day."

"I think I would die if I had a job where I was confined to a cubicle all day."

"I need a job that let's me be out and about."

Sometimes clients only have the above criteria for their next job. Wouldn't it be nice if a list of non-desk jobs existed...well now it does. Use the link to 55 Non-Desk Jobs to help your clients brainstorm their next position. What would you and your client add to this list?

January Self Discovery

Are you getting cabin fever? January is a great month to sit by the fire with a warm cup of coffee and take time to reflect upon and plan your career. Once the weather gets warmer and summer employment programs kick in, we all know the days go by all too quickly. Grab a notebook and answer the following questions. Enjoy the process.


1. What did I do really well last year in my job? (Hopefully this is on your resume and your supervisors are also aware of it.)



2. In reviewing the above responses, how could I (should I) continue to excel in those areas?



3. In what areas of my life should I give myself some slack? When working under unreasonable demands, I used to say to myself "All is well that ends well" then one day a colleague said stop being so hard on yourself, sometimes "All is well that just ends".


4. Are there things I need to stop doing (i.e. overcommitting, self-destructive habits, negative thoughts)?


5. In reviewing the past year, list a 10 things (i.e. who and what) for which I am most grateful? List why.


6. Are there people with whom I need to reconnect? Make plans to do so.

Future training dates and CEU training site visits

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!!!!!!
The following is our most up to date listing of training times offered to GCDF professionals for CEU hours.

February 11-12 will be the CEU 9 hour training for the class of 2007.
March 4-5 will be the CEU 9 hour training for the class of 2008.
March 18-19 will be the CEU 9 hour training for the class of 2006.
April 8-9 will be the CEU 9 hour training for the class of 2009.

These are the upcoming site visits that are confirmed. A two hour CEU class on interviewing skills and updates will be presented. If you are a GCDF that doesn't work at these sites, but want to participate you are welcome to attend. Please let me know. All training times are 10:00am until noon.

March 8 at LKLP
March 15 at Harlan CAA
March 17 at Gateway
March 29 at Big Sandy
April 5 at MK CAP
April 12 at Bell Whitley
April 14 at NK CAA
April 28 at Daniel Boone
May 4 at KCEOC

Master Career Counselor: Preview "Me, Myself and I: The Independent Contractor"

Master Career Counselor: Preview "Me, Myself and I: The Independent Contractor"

New Year's Resolutions

Each January 1st rather than resolving to lose 5 pounds or exercise more, I begin the new year by reading two professional development related books. My selections are books that transcend specific industries and are more generic in their advice or findings. Some of my previous year's selections have included: Good to Great, Human Sigma, Never Eat Alone, and Drive. As another year kicks off, what will you do to challenge yourself personally and professionally? Perhaps you will take the time this week to update your LinkedIn profile and photo or schedule a coffee meeting with a business owner or community leader that you have been wanting to get to know better. Another idea would be to find two new blogs to follow this year or coordinate a periodic best practices/resource sharing meeting with colleagues or like-minded people in your community. Whatever your goals we extend to you a wish you a very happy, healthy and professionally rewarding new year!