Homework Assignments for Clients

When working with motivated adult clients, I find that they actually really enjoy it when I assign homework between sessions. This may seem strange until you think about it. First, it makes clients feel like they are doing something productive towards their goal of becoming gainfully employed. Second, the process of soul searching is one that few people have been given the tools to do in life and it can be very enjoyable and satisfying.

One of the homework assignments that I recently put together and am just starting to use is the Randomly Acquired Knowledge (RAK) assignment. I am finding this assignment particularly helpful when clients do not have a clear direction. It is also one to help build confidence. Here are the basic directions in the handout.

“What do you know about? What knowledge have you accumulated? What information do your family and friends come to you for? Even if you don’t think something is relevant, a big deal or useful to know, write it down.”

The other standby homework assignment is the good old Brainstorming List exercise. Most of Carla's and my clients get this in their first session or at a workshop. It gives them space to start listing careers to explore with a pro and con column.

Both of the above assignments could easily be used in Job Clubs and provide great sharing and networking opportunities. What homework assignments have you found helpful?

Career Killers To Avoid

According to a survey of top executives and hiring officials conducted by career counselor Robin Ryan and author of What To Do With The Rest Of Your Life, there are some common ways that people tend to sabotage their own careers. Ms. Ryan identified several traits, standards and characteristics that successful leaders seek in developing their workforce. Take the time this year to look closer and focus on goal setting in these strategic areas.

Not producing results or solving company problems. According to top executives, you must not only be good at what you do, but you have to be able to proactively solve company problems, get things done, and produce. When it comes to promotions or avoiding a layoff, these are critical factors. In essence, does your resume contain quantifiable statistics (i.e. #, $, %)?

Not working at a job you’re passionate about. By discovering your passion and then finding a way to work in that area, you will be not only healthier and happier, but much more successful. Life is too short to waste it on an unfulfilling job.

Seeking job security. In today’s world of work, there is no such thing as job security! Each of us must not only constantly build and nurture our network, but we must also consciously develop a portfolio of marketable skills that we take from job to job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Americans will make a job change (by choice or not) about every 3.5 years. This equates to twelve or more job or career changes during your working lifetime. What skill or talent do you possess that employers desire?

Thinking that money is everything. Through working with hundreds of career clients, it doesn’t take long to see that money does not buy happiness. Most people are willing to take a salary cut in order to obtain more job satisfaction or a better quality of life. Be cautious of chasing money only.

Waiting for employers to notice you. Too many clients timidly wait for a raise or promotion, and then are disappointed when they are overlooked. Often it takes being much more proactive. Have direct conversations with your supervisor or mentor about your career path and clearly articulate your desire for advancement or other opportunities. This may result in rewriting your job description, taking on additional responsibilities, updating your resume, and testing the job market.

Santa's Resume - How would a GCDF improve it?

While browsing my career related blogs this week, I came upon a post featuring a make believe resume for Santa. While it was likely fun to create and made me laugh, I couldn't help but to notice all the things that a GCDF, who had been to our fall Resume training, would have done differently. I encourage you to print out the link and update it as if Santa were your client? Which resume template and section headers would you use?

Many GCDFs were involved in the monumental Work Opportunity Project last year. This groundbreaking empirical survey was based upon 100 intensive face-to-face interviews of randomly selected Eastern Kentucky employers. The participating employers provided a picture of the future workforce needed in Eastern Kentucky. Their responses will pave the way for preparing the workforce by identifying the top skills and traits needed. A national study supports similar findings. To help job seekers better understand the competencies employers deem most valuable, the Career Advisory Board, established by DeVry University, created the Job Preparedness Indicator study, a new annual survey designed to identify and track gaps between the attributes candidates say they have and what qualifications employers need to fill available positions. The survey was conducted online during September, 2011, by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Career Advisory Board, and surveyed 540 hiring managers and 734 job seekers. Interestly, the findings break down the skills employers are ideally seeking at different levels of employment - entry level (initiative and dependability), mid-level (problem solving and communication) and managerial level (leadership). The article goes on to list some strategies to improve job search success and bridge the gap. As part of ongoing professional development, take time to review both studies.

More on Interviews and First Impressions

Past trainings have emphasized the importance of first impressions in the interview. As noted in a recent InterviewSavy blog post, a survey of recruiters conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management (http://www.shrm.org/) found that a hiring decision relies over 40 percent on organizational fit, and the decision to not hire the candidate is made in about 15 minutes by over 50 percent of recruiters (30 percent do so within 5 minutes and another 30 percent do so within 15 minutes!). With stats this strong, mock interviews and time spent thoroughly preparing our clients for upcoming job interviews can't be overlooked. What specifically do you do to prep your clients and make positive first impressions?

Celebrate National Career Development Month

November is National Career Development month and a wonderful time to celebrate our work as career advisors. Each November, I take the opportunity to schedule a few lunch meetings with some of my most respected peers and organize best practice sharing days within some of my professional affiliations. What will you do this month to celebrate?

Job Action Day, celebrated November 7th this year, is all about empowering job-seekers to attain the skills employers seek, taking charge of directing their career, and being vocal and demanding action on job creation -- helping your clients move their career and/or job-search forward. Check out this site for some ideas to incorporate in your tool kit. Especially note the blogs listed at the bottom of the link. What great resources for us a career practitioners.

Learning the importance of Social Media for the GCDF Today

As we begin to delve into the endless ways that social media can assist you in successfully helping clients, let's make one thing clear:

IT HELPS YOU MORE!

Build a professional identity on LinkedIn, follow career experts on Twitter and watch You Tube videos of the lastest interviewing trends.  Sure, your clients will be helped but so are you as a professional.

Today's service model is all around the career advisor as the expert.  You have to know your stuff and be agile with every client served regardless of their work experience.

Simple things that can help you now:

Read a career related book once a month
Build your LinkedIn profile with two connections a week or more
Get a Twitter account if you haven't already.

Finally, use this AMAZING resource with clients. 
It is called "Careers Out There" with host Marc Luber. 

He interviews professionals in careers that your client may be considering.  Very informative, engaging and well worth your time.