Laura Lee Rose is a career expert and the head of Rose Coaching. She teaches job seekers both in person and online how to more effectively find a career. She took a moment to discuss why and when you might need a career coach.
Why is career coaching so important in the current job market?
If you have a coach, you are 95% more likely to achieve your goals. A career coach offers objective assessments and career advancement guidance to help you:
- Reassess life goals and develop action plans
- Provide balance between work and life
- Strategize how to deal with stressful situations
- Make professional and life decisions
- Prioritize projects and timelines
- Improve business and working relationships
- Avoid urgent situations involving high risks or challenges
- Identify core strengths and maximize their potential
- Simplify life to reduce stress and increase productivity
- Manage your time wisely
How has searching for a job changed over the last few years?
In today’s economy, employees are interested in the Total Package. It’s not enough to be technically savvy or an expert in your specific role. Since companies are in the business to make money, you also need to be able to tangibly illustrate how you can make the company money. You need to be able to quantify your performance against the company’s mission and goals. Soft skills, business networking, marketing and lead generation have become important differentials in individual resumes, regardless of the role or job title.
What misconceptions about finding a job are you finding out there?
The old chronological format is no longer a sufficient resume format. Merely listing previous job titles and task lists will not set you apart from the crowd. Incorporating self-authored short videos, articles, and presentations to quickly illustrate your expertise, personality, and passion for your craft has much more impact.
People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Therefore, business networking has also been elevated in finding a job. Social media and LinkedIn applications make it easier to find the right people to connect with.
How has technology changed the job search?
As mentioned above, you now have multiple ways for prospective employers to get to know you. This is a two-edged sword. While you can show your expertise and promote yourself as an authority in your craft, you can also be caught off-guard. Mixing your professional contacts with your family/friend contacts on Facebook brings along its share of risks.
In the old days, it was simpler to keep your private life private. With today’s technology, individuals now need to be mindful of keeping work and personal life both separate and professional.
What trends in hiring and human resources should we watch out for?
Since many global organizations conduct business via Skype/webcam, teleconferences, and web conference, hiring strategies will start incorporating web conference technology in both their hiring and their the performance evaluation practices. Since many organizations will be hiring remote employees, more focus will be placed on remote employee procedures and how to better manage/evaluate remote employees.
Part of the reference checks will include social media checks as well, which is why I recommend individuals keep their personal and professional social media separate.
