How to Start the New Year with a New Job

How to Start the New Year with a New Job Of all the ways you hope to spend Christmas, job hunting is likely not one of them. But if you’re a  jobseeker, Christmas could be the most effective time to apply for a new job. In today’s world, job competition is fierce. With 77 per cent of people saying they would be willing  to work on Christmas Day if it secured them a new job, those willing to sacrifice some time to stay  ahead succeed. The best advice to jobseekers in the run up to Christmas is to stay in the loop and  not let your job search lose momentum. Christmas offers a golden opportunity for the proactive jobseeker. A recent survey by reed.co.uk*  reveals that just over half of jobseekers believe that companies and recruiters are less likely to  read job applications over the Christmas period. But in fact many employers are actively looking for  employees. According to Katie Edwards of media recruitment agency PFJ: Jobseekers are holding off  looking until the New Year and employers are using up the rest of their headcount for the year, so  there are far more jobs than candidates before Christmas. While other jobseekers are cooling their heels in the run up to Christmas, here’s why you should be  actively pursuing new opportunities: 1) People are still working: Many jobseekers postpone submitting applications until the new year, believing their CV will  languish in an unattended inbox if sent over Christmas. In truth, 33 per cent of employees will be in  work this Christmas and a further 10 per cent will be working from home. Even on Christmas Day  your application may well be read, with 56 per cent of workers expecting to check their emails on  December 25th. Many job sites will forward your application to a recruitment agency or a general company email  that, with fewer personnel on hand, may not get regularly checked. Instead, skip the middleman.  Once you find a job that’s a good fit, do a little research online before sending your application to  email addresses that will land your CV under the right noses. 2) More jobs around than you think: Christmas may fail to bring snow but it will likely bring a flurry of new job opportunities. With  thoughts spanning to future business ventures and new budgets being defined, Christmas is often  a time when employers look to use up additional headcount or hire new staff in order to meet  upcoming goals. Job sites are a great source of new, exciting opportunities but if used incorrectly they can eat up  your time and may leave you feeling overwhelmed. Make job sites work for you by applying filters  to your search terms. With advance options, you can tailor your results to show only jobs within the  area, pay scale and schedule you’re looking for. 3) Less competition: With over half of jobseekers putting their employment search on hold until the new year,  competition for jobs is at a yearly low. Headhunter, Martin Ellis, advises making the most of the  opportunity â€" before someone else does: Its a competitive world out there, and if youre taking  time out to let the days drift by, there will be others beavering away to take advantage of your  lethargy With the Internet delivering a constant stream of employment opportunities around the  clock, jobseekers have to move fast if they want to secure their ideal job.  Even if your perfect job doesn’t pop up over Christmas, spending time brushing up on key job skills  can put you ahead of the game. According to reed.co.uk Marketing Director Mark Rhodes: For those  willing to go the extra distance, Christmas is the time to focus on your job search, tidy up your CV  and polish your interview skills before the January rush. 4) More technology equals higher efficiency: Online job listings, careers sections on company websites, job opportunities delivered straight  to your inbox and accessed on the go via your smartphone technology has revolutionised job  searching. Recent graduate Harriet McWilliams employs technology to find relevant opportunities and also  valuable future contacts: Through the brief experience I have had during internships or looking  for a job I have come to the conclusion that it is most certainly more who you know than what you  know. Gaining a large network consisting of a variety of people is important, as even if some of these  people may not be specifically relevant to you they may have knowledge or contracts that are. By adopting a tech-based approach, you can greatly improve the efficiency of your job search,  leaving you more time to enjoy Christmas with family and friends. Harriet explains: Overall, I have  found technology not only makes my search for jobs around the Christmas period more efficient, but  also enables me to reach a larger and more targeted audience. Will you be stopping your job search over the festive period? Let us know in the comments below! (*Online survey of 1,254 on attitudes to working at Christmas, conducted by reed.co.uk in November, 2013) Author: Anneke Lombard of Reed.

Is a Resume Writing Service Worth It?

Is a Resume Writing Service Worth It?Many people ask this question and the answer is yes, it can be worthwhile for some. Writing a resume will definitely help you land a new job, but you have to remember that you can't just write a resume and expect to get hired. It takes a lot of effort and marketing yourself to show employers that you are capable of doing the job.You have to be willing to take the time to do the right things and give your best during your resume so you will be ready to get the interview that you deserve. Resume writing is not the same as writing the perfect business letter. This is not the place for your wild imagination and you want to make sure you put as much detail as possible into your resume.It does not take a long time or even much skill to put together a resume, but when you have to market yourself as a marketable employee it is going to take more. To make yourself stand out and to be noticed, you need to do a lot of networking and make yourself available. Find out as much as you can about the company you are applying for and how they will be hiring.The first thing you should do before a job interview is to research as much as you can about the company. You will want to find out their rules, regulations, training, educational qualifications, and previous experience. Of course, if you have worked for another company before you want to see what those employees did for their employer. Do not mention that you know the employee or you will get in trouble.Another thing you need to research is what is expected in terms of your work history. Do you know if you have had any disciplinary actions in the past? What were the results?Now, if you have been with other companies before, it is still important to get some information about the past employers so you can have an idea of what you can expect with this company. Did you have good experiences there?Ask any questions you may have that you think are relevant to your job. Sometimes having a few e xtra questions can help you understand how you will be treated when you apply for the job. If you want to know if your references will be contacted or not, make sure you ask!Finally, make sure you know your strengths and what you are good at and incorporate these into your resume. If you need more information about a resume writing service or how to create one, contact your local Chamber of Commerce or your Better Business Bureau.

Richie Incognito, the NFL, Workplace Bullying to Surface - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Richie Incognito, the NFL, Workplace Bullying to Surface - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career My originally intended article for this week is interrupted to discuss the National Football League’s workplace bullying problem brought to light by the Miami Dolphins’ Jonathan Martin. Bullying is most associated with school kids picking on peers to varying degrees of severity. Yet, workplace bullying is probably just as prevalent. The Workplace Bullying Institute’s 2010 study through Zogby International reported 35% of workers have experienced bullying first hand and 15% have reported witnessing it. Amazingly, the study revealed that workplace bullying is four times more prevalent than illegal forms of harassment. Much of bullying goes unaddressed as the victim suffers in silence attempting to deal with it in their own way. Eventually, some will confront the bully directly, as most of Incognito’s teammates seem to be saying Jonathan Martin should have handled the situation. As they say “man to man.” Yet, it is easy for the non-bullied teammates who enabled the on-going behavior to say. But, bullying can be very threatening and over time strips the victim of all self-esteem and dignity, until they decide “enough is enough.” Each bullying victim’s response is different and personal. There is no doubt professional sports’ locker room environments are very different from every day workplaces. This is especially true in an environment based on violence like football. As such, different rules may apply. Yet, in a sport where true teamwork is vital for success (as opposed to the general business workplace where employers hope to have teamwork help achieve company results more efficient) teammates must count on each other to win games and keep each other safe. In this environment you would think the leaders in the locker room (players) and the coaching staff would rise above childish acts in the interest of winning a championship. Players coming to Incognito’s defense are saying coaches encouraged Incognito to “toughen up” Martin and “bring him out of his shell.” True leaders apply different styles to motivate individuals depending on the personality of the person and the situation at hand. It seems Incognito had one style which he applied across the board. It may have worked for some, but certainly not Martin. This is a great lesson for leaders in business because professional football offers a unique environment, and so the argument can be made that this is part of the culture to be expected. Regular every day companies do not have the luxury of hiding behind that expectation. Business leaders must set a tone by creating a workplace based on core values that are not just words hung on a wall for people to ignore as they walk by, but, are true behaviorally manifested values people experience daily by the actions and communication styles of those with whom they interact. I believe it should work the same in professional sports, and even in the NFL, regardless of what Incognito’s teammates say in his defense. Above the entrance to the New York Giants’ locker room is a sign that reads, “New York Giants Championship Culture.” Coach Tom Coughlin sets a tone his players understand from Day 1. New York Giants offensive lineman Will Beatty was quoted in this week’s New York Post saying, “bullying is not a thing the Giants’ organization accepts. It’s not a thing we want to hinder us.” Since Richie Incognito has been in the National Football League, the Giants have won two Super Bowl Championships. Incognito, during his eight-year NFL career has never played on a team with a winning record and has never played in a post-season playoff game. I think the results speak for themselves.

The 9 Business Models That Didnt Work and The One That Did (Part 2) - Classy Career Girl

The 9 Business Models That Didnt Work and The One That Did (Part 2) As a reminder, this is part 2, so make sure you listen to last weeks episode first! We covered the first five business models I used when I started Classy Career Girl, including banner advertising, sponsored blog posts and social media posts, ebooks, speaking, and online courses. Today we are covering five more business models that I tried. At the end, I am going to share the one I really love and could talk about forever because I love it so much. This business model has allowed me to have more happiness and revenue and less stress in my business. I now have more time to do what I love because of the final business model we use today. But first, as a reminder, there’s nothing wrong with any of these approaches. They just didn’t work as well for me because I didn’t love it. They could be perfect for you, and I truly believe that some were better at certain times of my life. And, I learned so much from doing every single one of these. So let’s get started. Subscribe  on  your favorite platform below: iTunes Google Play Music Stitcher Radio TuneIn iHeartRadio Sound Cloud The 9 Business Models That Didnt Work The One That Did (Part 2) 6) Affiliate Marketing In affiliate marketing, you promote a product or course. We do this one time per year for a course we love. In affiliate marketing, you earn a commission for promoting another companys product. For example, we promote a photo site we use, and the website hosting we use. I also have a business tools ebook where we share affiliate links to products we use.     Pros: You don’t have to create the product. We do great with the TRIBE promo because I love the course and take it myself. Also, it allows me to add bonuses and make it a unique experience for our audience. It is a compliment to my business, and many of our members in CRP join because it’s like the next step from my membership site to learn from my mentor.   Cons: You have to be REALLY into it. You have to use the product. Do no promote something you don’t use yourself. The first step if you want to do affiliate marketing: List all the products you love and use. See if they have affiliate programs. Target and Amazon are great places to start.   7) Individual Coaching This is a great, easy way to start making an income. You don’t have to mess with tech stuff or anything online, really. You can focus on just finding ONE client, and the income is often higher because you are working with people individually. This is how I started, but over time it became too much, and I got majorly burned out. I used to have calls all day. I was helping people, and the calls were going great, but it’s just not for me. I was getting majorly drained. Pros: You can have a significant impact on one person. There is a lot of accountability and support. You can learn so much by doing individual coaching, and it is a great place to start. You can make more with this option and charge a higher price. Cons: You can’t impact as many people. It takes up a lot of your time. The only way you can grow is by increasing your prices which also means you can’t help people who can’t afford you. First step: Create a way for people to schedule time on your calendar, using a tool like Calendly and create a survey people can fill out, so you know what they need before you get on the phone with them. 8) Group Coaching I love group coaching. I love communities, and I love that the group supports each other. Example: One member in my group coaching program knew something about using Vistaprint as a website that I didn’t know, and she was able to help her. You get a small group together and keep them accountable and on track. Often, questions they have are questions other people have, too, so people can get value even without you coaching them. Some people are shy, so sometimes they want to listen. Also, people can watch the recording later if they wish.   Pros: Set the call around your schedule. You only need to be available for an hour and all ten people can come to you at that time. You make more charging ten people rather than one, even if your fee is lower. This is called leveraging your time. They get the benefit of knowing each other in the group and splitting into partners, etc. They don’t feel alone and realize that other people have the same questions, the same feelings, and the same struggles.   Cons: Not everyone shows up to the calls. You have to be good at managing a lot of questions and handling the group. It’s hard at first, but you get the hang of it. There are not too many cons. You might need an admin helping you with your call or handling emails and scheduling. I still do this, but I know it’s not the best use of my time. First step to take: Set up a time each week and put it in your calendar. When you have a sales call, share the group coaching program you are launching and the date it will be launched. Start with a small group and grow it, so you can get used to coaching two people and then three people, etc. Create the outline you want to take them through or a video that they should watch beforehand so when they come to the call it’s just QA. 9) Physical Product Last year we launched our first physical product!! It is so different. You have to get it created and figure out shipping, so it’s very different than what I have been doing. I love having a physical product, though. The margins are very different on a physical product; we don’t make a ton. You have to sell internationally. It’s a lot you have to figure out, but don’t hold yourself back. Once you figure it out, it gets easier. Look into drop shipping and other places that will fulfill your product for you.     Pros: Something physical is so valuable and special in today’s online world. Cons: Shipping and manufacturing or printing is difficult to figure out. You still have to create a full launch around the product; that is a lot of work. You still have to create content and figure out social media and have an email list and brand.     The Business Model that Did Work: Membership Site Recurring revenue is the portion of a companys revenue that is highly likely to continue in the future. Recurring revenue is predictable, stable, and can be counted on in the future with a high degree of certainty This is leveraging your time to the max. You can have hundreds of people in your membership site, and as your subscribers grow, your monthly income grows. You don’t have to rely on launching. However, it is difficult to start. I’m not going to say it’s easy. I actually had a site fail, but that was before I took TRIBE from my mentor Stu and learned how to launch and grow a site. You can rely on the income to pay your basic expenses and do other things like launching a planner which isnt a significant revenue generator. I now have more time to focus on creative projects, writing, podcasting and making photos because I have my basic expenses paid and don’t have have to focus on launching the next course or ebook. Here’s the thing: It’s not content crazy. I discovered my members actually don’t want a ton of content. So I only give out one new thing per month on the first of every month. I batch create the material ahead of time, so it’s not the hamster wheel of content like it used to be. Your members want a benefit, and a membership site helps them get there. Pros: Recurring revenue. Less launching. More time and less stress. The smaller dollar amount makes it a no brainer for people. It also serves as a place to house all your basic info so you can work individually with people who are higher level. This lets you impact far more people. Cons: Membership sites are difficult to launch and grow by yourself. If you arent careful, it can become a content hamster wheel. Retention is super duper important and a huge focus. You need to focus on keeping members happy and paying. If you want to learn more about launching and growing a profitable membership site, make sure you are registered for Stu’s workshop starting April 25th and going for a couple of weeks. It’s amazing. I watch it every year, so this will be my fourth time, and I always learn something new. You can register at www.classycareergirl.com/tribeworkshop Before we go, thank you so much for sharing that you are listening on Instagram! That means so much. Thanks for the reviews too. Share a screenshot of this episode you are listening to in your Instagram stories or Facebook page and tag Classy Career Girl. Leave a review. Can we get to 75 reviews? Almost at 66 reviews and 500,000 downloads.  (currently at 474,000 wow!! Make sure you are subscribed to the show and review the show on iTunes or whatever platform you use. I read every single one of them. And if this is helping you, I’d love to know! If you enjoy this show, please share it with someone else! Thank you again for sharing with others. I truly appreciate you. What if it doesn’t work? Ah, but what if it does! It’s your life. No one else is in control but YOU! Make it a 2019 goal to find YOUR people who love you and cheer you on! You probably won’t be great at first, but think about how awesome you’ll become by consistently taking action and learning.

Writing Skills for Resumes - How to Get Writing Skills

Writing Skills for Resumes - How to Get Writing SkillsWriting resumes for new job applicants is the most difficult part of finding a job and winning a job, but it does not have to be the most difficult part of starting a new career. If you can write a resume in your own words and make it look as if it was written by you, you can get the attention of every potential employer that looks at it.The key to writing a resume with your own ideas is to start out with your writing skills at an average level. If you are a skilled writer, then you will be able to get ahead of the competition. Start out at a writing level that is relatively steady, so that when you get to the later parts of the resume, you can give them some substance.Some examples of writing resumes include: resume examples that are submitted in Microsoft Word format, where there is no header. (This is the resume writing style that most people use.) Also, examples of resumes that are formatted in Adobe Acrobat and where the head er is highlighted.When you are looking for sample resumes, use your writing skills. Keep it to a minimum, and do not force yourself to write a resume when it is not appropriate. Use the skills that you already have, and use it in ways that are appropriate to the type of job that you are applying for. When you submit a resume, take a break from it, do something else that you enjoy doing.It is also important that you use the writing skills that you have been practicing for other things that you have to do for your career. For example, when you are taking a class that has a writing component, you can go back over your writing skills and apply them to a resume, writing and practicing it for several days before you submit it to the classes.When you want to learn about the more complex styles of writing resumes, you should check out samples of resume examples in the style of a true professional. While a resume template can be good for many jobs, if you are interviewing for a position that requires that you do research to find the kind of resume examples that best fits the company, you will be best served to look for samples in the professional, word style. Some examples of this are the WORD in Acrobat format, and REP in Word format.This is just one example of a good look at how to write a resume in a professional manner. There are many different resume examples on the internet that will allow you to try writing a resume with your own ideas. This way, you can be sure that the resume is actually the kind of resume examples that will actually show up on the actual resume that is being sent to the employer.As long as you use your writing skills to stay at an average level of writing, you will be in the same ballpark as any other resume that the hiring manager gets. You will have no excuse for writing poorly and wasting the time of the person that is reading your resume, or the employer that you are interviewing for. Start writing and practice your writing skills today, so that when you submit your resume to the hiring manager, it will show up as though it was written by you.

Workplace Ethics - Requiring More Than an Email Blast CareerMetis.com

Workplace Ethics - Requiring More Than an Email Blast â€" CareerMetis.com A set of individuals living together as a people have a unique set of rules to govern them e.g., a country has its own constitution. Every person, though, has their own principles that they abide by and that define them. The moral guidelines that workers in an organization operate under are termed as the workplace ethics. The ethical standards may vary from company to company and from post to post within a company.For example, the workplace ethics that economists and marketers in the finance industry follow are dissimilar from the ethics that rule the nurses and doctors in the health industry. Therefore, someone’s workplace ethics depend on their purpose in the company.In most companies, workplace ethics are the nation’s laws and industry regulations. In the United Arab Emirates, The Dubai Chamber of Commerce guides employers and their companies to become conscious and ethically responsible through the Centre for Responsible Business.evalBasic Workplace EthicsAll organizations sh are a number of common rules that govern them. These pack of regulations are either set by a country or are international policies to all business entities.A company’s policies should be clear and precise. Employees should be communicated to on matters regarding how the company will be run and the rules should be well interpreted to them for their efficiency in their performance.1) Equality as the Base PrincipleevalThe rules and regulations of an organizationought to be equal for all employees. Regardless of their designation, everyone should report to work on time. If a security guard is punished for his late attendance, so should the manager.Each employee should be given their required space. Responsibilities should be issued out according to an individual’s expertise and level of experience. It wouldn’t be fair for a newbie to be piled up with sophisticated tasks without the basic training; for instance, enough room to impart the necessary skills should be given.Respect is a two-way thing. In order for a worker to respect his boss, the same should be done to him/her. Medical or maternal leaves should be given if one is having either of the conditions and only when there is an emergency should they be called upon.2) Social Media EthicsThe internet made connections and interaction easier and a large number of its users can access the social media with organizations not being exempted. Employees are allowed to access Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram while at work.evalHowever, it is critical to instill guidelines. The abuse and excessive use of social media amongst employees can hugely affect not only the workers’ productivity but also the company as a whole. It is essential to educate employees on social media ethics.Do unto others what you’ll want them to do unto you â€" this is the most basic teaching of all religions. To gain respect from others, you ought to be respectful of yourself.Taking irresponsible actions through social media opens up the possibility of vengeance which might just result in a much deeper mess. This information could be shared by those in the same company as well as their competitors and other companies. Employee retentionat this stage will be next to impossible once individual’s profiles are ruined.Employees should refrain from exposing the company through social media rants. If there is a problem the first step should always be to consult with the management to try and solve the issues. Exposing the company’s shortcomings on social media could be bad for business as it ruins the company’s reputation and they might lose many customers and clients.evalShun the falsehood and embrace honesty. The workers responsible for handling social media docket in an organization should avoid misleading claims, making false accusations and malicious posts against their fellow companies and competitors.Using social media to humiliate others is also uncalled for. There is no benefit in embarrassing fellow employe es for their poor performance at work or throwing shade to a departed employee. Internal affairs should be handled within the company.Being politically neutral and culturally sensitive also pays in the long run. In the world today, people are assertive when picking out the wrongs in society; those are issues that affect businesses. It is advisable for companies to avoid comments, posts or jokes that can be sickening to people with different political inclinations, cultures, religions, and heritage. This should be taken into account especially if a company does social media advertisement with the aim of reaching foreign market to avoid costly mistakes.3) Workplace Ethics Requiring More Than an Email BlastA lot can be lost by an organization when they participate in unethical behavior and an email will barely solve the issue at hand. Well, it’s normal for an employee’s email inbox to be overloaded. If a particular issue is not relevant to an employee, it will definitely be ignored . If there is an aim to change the attitude and behavior of an individual, it requires a campaign; and instead of those old and boring emails that probably won’t be read, engaging them should be a better option.Companies should consider upping their strategy and being more visual while engaging workers to ethical issues. Use of desktop screensavers, a user-generated newspaper, a wallpaper with critical information or pop up alerts might be more effective and make a greater impact. Moreover, replacing posters and sending multiple emails is time-consuming unlike changing digital signage which is much simpler.The best way to go is to make moves like prioritizing a topic, plan a campaign for it then measure the impact and improve and evolve.LAST REMARKSAs much as there is much to be learned by employees regarding workplace ethics, a company must consider the best ways to use in order to be effective in doing so. Those tasked with overseeing ethicsin the firm at whatever stage should n ot compromise at whatever cost! Once there is a breach in management, you can only expect employees to follow suit in the crooked ways.

Summary Sunday December Job Search

Summary Sunday December Job Search Whatever you do, dont ignore your job search this month. December is one of the best months for building relationships and getting the news out about your search. It is also time for your to think about your goals and priorities for 2015. December is a social smorgasbord of events!  Think about the  holiday events  you are invited to this time of year. These events are geared towards getting people together to celebrate. And the people that attend often are in a more generous mood. Sure this is a busy time of year and there is a lot of stuff on peoples plates, but that doesnt mean you should ignore your search! Holiday Job Search Here are several articles you should check out if you are looking for tips on how to invest your time this month! Is Holiday Job Search A Waste of Time? | Meg Guiseppi on Executive Career Brand Holiday Hope: How To Leverage the Holidays For Your Search | Susan Joyce on Job-Hunt.org (Job-Hunt.org has 4 more posts on holiday job search on the home page) 4 Ways To Stay Motivated During the Holiday Job Search  | Dana Leavy on Savvy Intern Holiday Networking Like A Pro | Harry Urschel on The Wise Job Search Job Search Ask the Headhunter: 7 steps to a new job â€" but first, burn your resume | Nick Corcodilos on  PBS NewsHour Nick is someone I started following several years ago and Im sorry I havent been sharing more of his work. He is a recruiterand his perspective and advice is geared towards helping job seekers understand how to do this job search thing better! Check out Ask The HeadHunter  and get the skinny on job search! Career Sometimes, maybe most of the time, people get stuck in a  job rut. They are dissatisfied or under appreciated. They feel like they are at a dead end or the end of their rope. In short, they H.A.T.E their jobs. If this is you, please read these two articles! 7 Pieces of Wisdom That Will Change the Way You Work | Paul Jun on 99U 2015 Forecast: Youll Never Work the Same Way Again  |    Micha Kaufman on Forbes

Take a Front Row Seat in Discovering Your Encore Career - Hallie Crawford

Take a Front Row Seat in Discovering Your Encore Career Have you noticed that most of us want the front row seats at sports events and concerts? Often, we pay a premium for them, too. And, during that time, we let our inner selves go as we cheer on the home team or lift candles (flashlights) swaying in the imaginary breeze to our favorite singer. We let go with abandon, we are fully engaged in the moment and loving every minute. However, when we are unsure of ourselves or dont want to be seen, we head for the back seats at church, office meetings, training events, family get-togethers. We just want to blend in and dont want to be called on to participate we become passive. Passive participation is not the route to finding your encore career. Discovering your encore career, requires one to sit in the front row of life. It is about investigating the possibilities. Here are 10 tips to help you do that: 1. Shed the inner voice that tells you to take a back seat. It might say you arent good enough, who do you think you are, youre too old. All negative fear-based thinking. Talk back to the voice to squash it! Remember, you are unique and have wonderful gifts to give to the world. 2. Take time to reflect on what you love to do. Reach back to your childhood and early years is there something that you have submerged that can be reignited? 3. Ask yourself what do people compliment you on? Often our talents are so innate that we take them for granted. Others, however, appreciate your skills. 4. Ask your friends and family if money was not in the picture, what would they see you doing in your encore career? 5. Review your past jobs what did you love about them. What are the common themes? 6. Carve out time to network. Get to know what other people do. You may find a career path you never thought of before. Volunteering is a great way to network. 7. Use http://www.onetonline.org to research careers and the requirements for them. 8. Once you have narrowed your career choices down to 3-4, interview people in those professions to determine how they got into the field, what they enjoy about the job, and any advice they may give you. If you dont know anyone in that profession, use Linkedin to see if any of your friends know someone in that industry to talk to. Most people will be happy to do an informational interview with you remember this is not asking them for a job. 9. If you have found a career that requires more education, talk with the chairperson of the department at a local college. They are a wealth of knowledge on job opportunities in the profession for those 50+ and the requirements for entering a college program. 10. Create a support team (family, mentor, coach) who you can share your innermost feelings, brainstorm and hold you accountable. Honest introspection, following the actions above, and accountability will keep you in the front row seat of discovering your encore career! Hopefully this post will inspire you to take a more proactive role in your career! Katie Weiser, Associate Career Coach at HallieCrawford.com