Divorced and out of work...now what?

It's hard enough to cope with the life changing event of going through a divorce, but even more disconcerting when you have to find a job after having been away from the workplace for an extended period of time. It can be scary to suddenly have to support yourself financially - although the positive side of this challenge is that it is an opportunity for growth and empowering to know that you can triumph in a difficult situation and have full control of your life.

A few common issues faced by divorced men and women who are re-entering the job market are:

·         Lack of career direction

·         Gaps in employment

·         Skills that may need to be updated

Here are seven strategies for overcoming these problems:

1)     Adopt a Positive Mindset

As with any difficult challenge in life, the #1 ingredient that guarantees success is to possess the right mindset that will work for you rather than against you. When faced with seemingly daunting tasks to undertake, the initial reaction may be to feel overwhelmed and paralyzed.  It's vital to believe in yourself and your ability to handle any situation that life throws your way.  

2)     Get Focused and Decide What Position(s) to Target

If you have no idea what type of work you want to do or qualify for, it may be tempting to go on job boards, look over advertised openings and apply to anything and everything that you think might be a job you can get. This strategy rarely works. Instead, ask yourself this question: "What job positions do I qualify for based on my education, experience, and background?" Then focus on one or two positions you're interested in and appear to be a good fit for you.

3)     Deal with Employment Gaps on your Resume

As part of your toolkit for the job hunt, it is imperative to have a well-written, impactful resume that will get a prospective employer's attention to call you in for an interview. If you've been away from the workplace for years, employers will assume that your skills are not up-to-date. The best strategy to adopt is to either create a resume with a functional format (one that relies on categorical, skills-based sections to demonstrate your qualifications for a particular job) or include any recent volunteer experience relevant to the job position you're targeting.

4)     Update your Skills

It is important to scour job openings and descriptions to find out exactly what qualifications employers are looking for within a particular job position. If you don't have those skills, it may take you out of the running for that job position, so it would be in your best interest to acquire that knowledge. If you need to update your computer software skills for example, you can take classes, hijack the nearest kid for help or take a book out of the library and practice until you've mastered your topic.

5)     Get a temporary job

Sign up with a few temp agencies in your area. The benefits are numerous; you'll be able to update your skills, build your experience, make connections and enhance your resume. It will also allow you to decide if that job position is one you would like to have on a permanent basis.  You never know, it may also lead to an offer for permanent employment.

 

6)     Network to Find a Job

The advantage many people have from being away from the workforce for an extended period of time is having formed a lot of social connections; especially, through volunteer work. Let your connections know that you are looking to re-enter the workplace. Tell them specifically what you're looking for and qualified to do then ask them for advice as opposed to asking if they know of job openings. Do your homework and be prepared to let them know what you're specifically looking for them to help you with. Some possibilities may be to ask them to be a reference, provide insider information on a particular company or industry, or to provide an introduction to someone in your field.

7)     Get Support

Getting support is imperative and can be the difference between failing and succeeding in the job search. Join a job search support group, hire a Career Coach or at the very least enlist the help of a buddy to keep tabs on your progress. Searching for a job today can be quite challenging. You will need a support system to motivate you, keep you accountable for all of the actions you will need to take, and to give you ideas when your job search doesn't always go according to plan.

Small Biz Success Story – Grass Roots Flooring, an Online Business

My goal in interviewing small business owners is to provide my listeners with ideas and possibilities for owning and operating their own business. Jen Ortega of Grass Roots Flooring did not disappoint! She provided prospective small business owners with some great ideas for starting up and marketing an online business. During the interview, she explained why she and her partner chose an online retail business.

Here were some of their reasons:

·         They wanted to be able to drop ship their products so they wouldn’t have to bother with packaging and mailing a product

·         Low start-up costs

·         Low overhead

·         The ability to provide quality at affordable prices

·         Less stress

I would add that another benefit to having your own online store is that people can buy your products at any time of the day so you’re not bound by time constraints in selling your products.

She also related how they decided on the product they chose to sell (hint: it had to do with their love of watching HGTV!) and the essential steps they needed to take in order to become educated in selling their product. I think one of the best points that Jen made was that you don’t have to know everything about your business in order to start up your business – the knowledge will come as you move forward.

This point struck a chord with me as I see so many of people who never reach out and grab a hold of their dreams because they get stuck in analysis paralysis!

Jen and her partner are a shining example of believing in yourself and just going for your dreams – that begins with having the confidence that you will meet every challenge as it arises (she related some of these challenges in the interview as well).

After all, isn’t that what a life worth living is all about anyway?

It’s the ability to meet every challenge that comes your way with the confidence that you can handle it!

What would you do to make your dream a reality?

On May 3^rd I had the pleasure of interviewing Leah Wietholter who has a successful forensic accounting business. She has been in business for a little more than a year and already has had to hire people to help her handle all of the work that she has; a problem every small business owner would love to have.

When she decided to make the commitment to start her company she had 2 major challenges to contend with. She had to:

1)     Support herself while she ramped up her business, and

2)     Find customers as soon as possible

She immediately started contacting lawyers in her district to ask to meet with them to find out more about their practices with the intention of explaining how she could service them. Her strategy paid off as she received a major contract from one of her first meetings with a local attorney.

The most amazing aspect of her story was the sacrifices she consciously made in order to get her business up and running. To begin with, she made up her mind to live simply to keep her expenses down. In order to support herself while working to grow and develop her new business, she worked at odd part time jobs to raise enough money to live.  For example, she worked for a furniture refinishing company and made take home dinners for her friends – talk about resourceful!

Her sacrifice and hard work certainly paid off.

During the interview, Leah shared the great marketing ideas she implemented for getting her business started and her unique method for approaching prospective clients.

You can find out what they were by playing back my interview with Leah by going to: www.blogtalkradio.com/yourcareermakeover

Interview with E.G. Sebastian - #1 Reason Why Small Business Entrepreneurs Fail

To listen to the interview playback, go to: www.blogtalkradio.com/YourCareerMakeover

Have you ever dreamed of being your own boss?

Would you like to have unlimited income potential?

How would your life change if you did?

I recently interviewed E.G. Sebastian, a successful entrepreneur and sales and marketing expert on my live talk radio show, Your Career Makeover.  

E.G. shared his story of how he was able to go from making $100 per month as a surgical assistant to owning and operating his own import/export business and becoming a millionaire in his native country of Hungary.

While he has experienced both highs and lows as an entrepreneur, E.G. explained what some of the pitfalls were on the road to success and provided insight into what makes a successful business owner.

If you've ever considered owning and running your own business this show is for you!

Here are some key excerpts from our interview:

DB: Could you give our audience a brief overview of your career, how you got started as an entrepreneur and the level of success you’ve had?

EGS: I grew up in Budapest, Hungary. My first job was as a surgical assistant making $100 per month. While I liked my job, I was dissatisfied because I felt I wasn’t making a good enough income. In 1991, I decided that I was going to make a big career change - I would become a millionaire or street bum! I quit my job and joined a sales firm. I had a great deal of enthusiasm and drive, and while that first job did not work out the way that I had hoped, I was recognized by another business owner for my eagerness to succeed and my ability to speak multiple languages and given another opportunity in sales. I started from nothing and within a short period of time made $1K per week.  My customers were very wealthy individuals and I felt that if others succeeded I could as well. This thinking led to my partnering with a Chinese investor where I eventually became general manager of his business and 49% owner. Unfortunately, due to various business mistakes, I also ended up $300,000 in debt. After much hard work and learning from my mistakes, I earned my first million dollars at the age of 27. Only 5% of people in Hungary made that much money at that time. Once I made my first million it was easy to make more.

It was at that time that I decided to go to the U.S. to become an even bigger success. Again, due to poor judgment on my part, I lost almost all of my money. I didn’t do enough market research and had to compete with big businesses such as Walmart and Costco with my import/export business. At that time I decided to go back to school and get my college degree, eventually got a job as a project manager and while I had a good deal of success at that job, I realized that I missed being an entrepreneur.

DB: In your opinion, what characteristics should the ideal business owner have?

EGS: The desire to just jump in and do it – anybody can do it, but you must not be lazy.

I believe these character strengths are necessary to be a successful entrepreneur: a burning desire to succeed and the constant drive to accomplish what you set out to do. You also must set goals and mini goals to work on each day so that you are focused on accomplishing your goals.

Also, other characteristics that are helpful are being creative so that you can attract clients, good problem solving skills that can easily be learned and finally, risk tolerance.

DB: I’m sure you’ve heard that according to statistics, 50% of all businesses fail within the first 5 years, what are some of the mistakes they make?

EGS: Lack of marketing knowledge is what drives businesses under and not doing any marketing research before getting started with your business. Also, you must be sure to set your prices right and hoose the right location for your operation.

DB: What do you think is the #1 reason why small business entrepreneurs fail?

EGS: People do not know how to market their services effectively. You have to have a clear process in place to continuously market and grow your business.

How to Conquer Age Discrimination

It is not unusual for my mature clients to tell me they believe they have been a victim of age discrimination when going on an interview. It can be quite discouraging to feel that you’ve been taken out of the running when being considered for employment because of your age. It’s hard enough to get a job today where you’re going up against many others vying for the same position; coping with age discrimination can make it seem like an impossible obstacle has been thrown your way.

If you want to overcome this challenge, the best place to start is to focus on finding solutions instead of dwelling on the problem and giving up! If you think of yourself as a victim, you will become powerless. Instead recognize that there are opportunities everywhere; you just have to find them.

Here are some solutions for coping with and overcoming age discrimination:

1)     Focus on the advantages you bring to the workplace as an older worker. Ask yourself – “what strengths do I bring to the workplace which represent benefits to potential employers?” Do you have excellent presentation skills? Are you an effective leader? Be sure to convey your strengths on your resume and during the interview.

2)     Look for jobs at companies that value older employees. See AARP for a list of best employers for workers over 50:

http://www.aarp.org/work/employee-benefits/best_employers/

3)     Check out these websites for job postings and resources for seniors:

http://www.seniors4hire.org/

http://www.seniorjobbank.org/

4)     Recognize that certain industries are better than others for the older worker. For example, advertising is traditionally an industry known for hiring younger workers while finance and insurance typically value older workers for the experience and stability they convey to customers.

Look for jobs within industries that value older workers. If you’re not sure about a particular industry, find 2 or 3 insiders that you can conduct an informational interview with to find out.

5)     Give an energetic impression. Take good care of your health and well-being; exercise, maintain a healthy weight, you know the drill! Eat light, nutritious meals throughout the day to maintain a high energy level.

Another idea is to get involved in activities such as hiking, skiing, tennis, running; any sport that demonstrates you are an active person then post it under your interests and activities on your LinkedIn profile. You can also give an energetic impression by getting involved in worthy causes in your spare time. Consider volunteering to be on a committee or participate in fundraisers of charitable organizations. The added benefit is that you may find out about job openings through the contacts you develop.

6)     Don’t feel compelled to put down all of your job history on your resume. Be sure to include the past 15 years of experience on your resume plus any experience that is crucial to conveying your experience within your field as companies are most interested in your most recent and relevant experience. The other side of this issue is not to exclude too much of your job history to give an erroneous impression. After all, you won’t fool anyone about your age once they meet you.

7)     Update your look.  For guidelines on how to dress appropriately for the workplace, click here for a past newsletter on How to Update Your Wardrobe for a Successful Interview. Here’s another idea that may be helpful. Think of a celebrity or public figure that is similar to you in age and body type who dresses well, then copy their style. Try using color in your clothing to project energy. Also consider a new hairstyle. Be sure to get an expert opinion from a good hairstylist to choose a subtle, age-appropriate style.

8)     Leverage your networks. As an older worker, you have the advantage of having more networking contacts than younger counterparts. Use networking to land a job by tapping into the hidden job market and uncovering unadvertised jobs. Get in touch with former co-workers, friends, neighbors, relatives, professional associations within your industry, clubs, religious organizations, etc. and let them know you’re looking for a job opportunity.

9)     Demonstrate that you get along well with others. Get testimonials for your LinkedIn profile and create a reference portfolio to supplement your resume. It’s a great way to have others testify about how wonderful you are!

10)  Don’t be a dinosaur! It is imperative that you keep up with the latest computer programs and skills especially if you choose to work in an office. There is nothing that will qualify you as an “old dinosaur” more than being behind the times technologically. Take an adult education computer course or bribe a teenager in your world to teach you the ropes.

Finally, the #1 quality that will help you to overcome age discrimination is self confidence. Stand tall, smile often, and do your best to connect with others. Focus on your many accomplishments, all you have to be proud of, and what you have to offer to prospective employers. Your positive attitude with naturally attract others to you and dispel any negative stereotypes that you may encounter during the job search.

Do Not Make This Mistake When Dressing for the Interview - and other tips

A few years ago, a client of mine told me about an error in judgment he made when going on an interview. Art had worked as a mid-level manager for a mortgage rating company and was laid off when the mortgage industry crashed. He tried for months to secure employment and finally, in desperation, he decided to apply to any job he thought he could get. He applied for a sales position with the Apple Store even though it wasn’t really the job he wanted. He was thrilled when he was called in for an interview, but unfortunately, he didn’t bother to do any research on the company beforehand. He arrived for the group interview at the appointed time wearing his best suit and tie; his usual interview attire. I’m sure you can imagine his surprise when he arrived to find everyone dressed in casual Dockers and polo shirts! Art stood out like a sore thumb and didn’t appear to fit in with the corporate culture.

First impressions can make or break you.

To avoid making that mistake in the future, I advised Art to find out what the acceptable dress is for the company you’re interviewing with by talking to an insider; an actual employee of the company. If that’s not possible, then watch employees as they enter the building in the morning as they go to work to see how they dress to determine whether the company dress code is traditional and professional or more on the casual side – of course, avoid going on “dress down” Fridays. Once you figure that out, then follow these general guidelines for dressing for the interview:

Guidelines for Men

For professional organizations:

-     Conservative suit in dark gray, blue or black. Steer clear of brown; it’s not a power color

-     White long sleeve shirt

-     Conservative ties; no loud prints or colors

-     Make sure your shoes are polished

-     Dark socks

For semi-professional or casual organizations:

-       A pair of dark casual slacks

-       Sports shirt

-       Loafer-style dress shoes with dark socks

-       Optional: Dark Blazer in gray, blue, or black

Guidelines for Women

-     Solid color classic suit

-     Coordinated blouse in conservative prints

-     Closed-toe shoes with a medium height heel

-     Light hosiery

For semi-professional or casual organizations:

-     A simple dress or trousers with a jacket

-     For a more casual company, a jacket may not be necessary

Additional tips:

-     Wear a limited amount of jewelry

-     Don’t over-do your cologne

-     Make sure your hair style is neat, professional-looking, and current

-     Be impeccably groomed; nails clipped, etc.

-     Carry your resume and other career documents in a portfolio or briefcase

To make the very best first impression, make sure you look the part by following these guidelines.

How to Update Your Wardrobe for a Successful Interview

Guest Post by Sharon Kornstein

If you are interviewing or think there may be a job search in your future, modifying your wardrobe may not be at the top of your priority list. The way you present yourself visually, however, is often the method by which others judge you before a lengthy conversation. Why not make the most of those first few minutes and create a fabulous first impression?

Two important facets of a business image that aren't discussed much are appearing current, and looking age-appropriate. These aspects are not mutually exclusive, and actually complement each other.

Here are some tips for achieving a style that is both current and age-appropriate:

1.     Give away any clothes in your closet that are worn out, pilling, shiny or don't fit. Include anything that is more than ten years old. These clothes might feel like vintage gems to you, but to others look dated.

2.     Try mixing up fabrics and patterns. Larger patterns can mix with smaller ones; similarly small geometrics can mix with florals, paisleys and weaves. Just keep the same color palette.

3.     Review your hairstyle and eyeglasses. They should be updated every two years. There is nothing wrong with a classic hairstyle that you like, just ask your stylist to make subtle changes as time goes by.

4.     Similarly makeup needs to be reviewed. Our skin coloration changes as we age, and what looked flattering in the past may not work now.

5.     Take a serious look at jewelry. A strong watch looks current, put the dainty ones away for another time. Make sure you have one strong focal point, such as a pendant or bangle bracelet. Your other pieces should complement the focal point. Stay away from matched sets of jewelry; this matchy/matchy look will date you.

6.     Men's suits seem to be moving away from a very formal look. Try wearing a suit without a tie or a sport coat with dress slacks. Both these looks are youthful and professional. Of course on an interview always wear a suit and tie unless told otherwise.

7.     Try to bring in a trendy look as an accessory. For men a plaid tie, or patterned shirt with a suit; for women a woven scarf or shiny belt would work. The key is to look polished without seeming to try too hard.

8.     It's hard to overemphasize the importance of good fit in building a flattering age-appropriate wardrobe. Use your tailor and have him/her check the sleeve length in addition to pant length and waist.

One final note about color; there is no faster way to date yourself than by wearing all black. Color is all around us, and appearing youthful and energetic is as easy as adding a touch of it to an outfit. Purple, yellow, red, turquoise and pink are all bright and energetic. Choose one color or a pattern that combines several, throw it on and have fun!

Sharon Kornstein, AICI, CIP of ImageDesign is known for developing an effective visual image for professionally minded men and women by blending their physical characteristics, personal preferences and industry requirements into a unique, comfortable and cohesive style. For more info go to www.imagedesignconsulting.com.