Career Coaching

A friend recommended a career coach for me. She had taken a workshop with this woman and liked the process and the results. Her two Career Strategy Workshops sounded a bit like things I had done on my own but I thought maybe having someone guiding me through the process could add value for me. I was right.

The first four week workshop was a bit of review for me but I learned new things and it was interesting to have feedback not only from the career coach but also from the other attendees. The brainstorming component was a real eye opener for me and made me think outside of the areas I’ve already explored.

I had to miss one week and was worried I’d fall behind or miss out. Barbara instigated a make up phone session. I was leery that we could get the same connection via phone but I was completely wrong. She told me stories, shared examples, and brought out some great ideas during the call. I was very happy with that session and when another workshop mate had to miss, I enthusiastically recommended she make time for the call.

The second four week workshop is focused on how to move forward now that you’ve done some exploration on what type of work you want. We looked at obstacles (real and imagined) in the way of reaching our goals. Part of the work is figuring out manageable next steps and how to proceed. One of the things I liked about this portion of the workshops is how matter of fact Barbara makes it sound to go after your dreams. And she does challenge you to reach big.

The workshops have ended but I’m already looking forward to working further with Barbara. She has a warm intimate and yet not intimidating way of sharing insights. Her suggestions are very pragmatic and she willingly shares her vast network of connections.

Her next workshop is in January and I highly recommend you sign up.

Words Work

Earlier this week I attended a workshop on cover letters. We talked about why a cover letter is an important tool to getting you an interview (it’s a bridge between the job posting and your resume, enables you to flesh out key details of your resume, and an opportunity to show case both your writing skills and personality). We also discussed why cover letters are hard to write (you usually don’t know the audience, pressure to get it right, and not sure it will be read so why invest the time).

As with resumes, each cover letter should be customized to the job for which you are applying. This seems obvious since the cover letter is that magic bridge connecting their job description to your resume and qualifications but it seems (from the workshop) that many people use a form letter style. With a little forethought your cover letter could make the difference between your resume and the rest of the pile. Before writing a cover letter do some research on the company, department, and even the hiring manager if you can discover who it is. Then review your resume and work experience to find the key points you want to share in your cover letter. While writing your cover letter address why you are writing and the specific reasons they will want to interview you. Don’t just summarize your resume…that is a waste of space and the reader’s time. Make your cover letter interesting and compelling to read to make the reader want to call you. And for goodness sake, proof read your letter and ask a friend or two to double check it for you.

A blog I check a couple times a month, http://www.LettersOfNote.com by Shaun Usher, hosts “correspondence deserving of a wider audience.” By coincidence, this week a great cover letter by Robert Pirosh was posted (don’t you just love a good coincidence?!). This cover letter works for me because I love words and Mr. Pirosh makes such great use of them! The letter also showcases his personality and his talent with his choice of career – words. I was simply going to link to the letter but I love it so much I’m posting it here to save you the click.

“Dear Sir:

I like words. I like fat buttery words, such as ooze, turpitude, glutinous, toady. I like solemn, angular, creaky words, such as straitlaced, cantankerous, pecunious, valedictory. I like spurious, black-is-white words, such as mortician, liquidate, tonsorial, demi-monde. I like suave “V” words, such as Svengali, svelte, bravura, verve. I like crunchy, brittle, crackly words, such as splinter, grapple, jostle, crusty. I like sullen, crabbed, scowling words, such as skulk, glower, scabby, churl. I like Oh-Heavens, my-gracious, land’s-sake words, such as tricksy, tucker, genteel, horrid. I like elegant, flowery words, such as estivate, peregrinate, elysium, halcyon. I like wormy, squirmy, mealy words, such as crawl, blubber, squeal, drip. I like sniggly, chuckling words, such as cowlick, gurgle, bubble and burp.

I like the word screenwriter better than copywriter, so I decided to quit my job in a New York advertising agency and try my luck in Hollywood, but before taking the plunge I went to Europe for a year of study, contemplation and horsing around.

I have just returned and I still like words.

May I have a few with you?”

Just brilliant, don’t you agree?!

1,000 Twitter Followers

Last month I crossed an exciting milestone in my Twitter-verse…1,000 followers! Of course, not all of them are actual people and a couple are offering companionship or explicit photos. “Death and Taxes” is following me as is “iSupremeCourt.” Not necessarily my actual target market but if they want to learn about digital archives, I welcome them. You too, can be my Twitter follower: @DigiArchivist.

Many of my followers are archivists, librarians, and museum professionals. That makes sense. What surprised me at first was the variety…they are Welsh, English, German, Australian, Swiss, Korean, French, Spanish, Japanese, students, organizations, preservationists, and a real estate agent in Florida. One of my favorite places to go as a child, the Exploritorium, is following me! Self proclaimed geeks of many ilks are following along: book geeks, history geeks, beer geeks, metadata geeks, and food geeks. More than a few of my followers list love of art, GIS, shoes, animals, and funky lamps (ok, only one mentioned funky lamps…). There is even one follower who is a chicken wrangler, in addition to being a librarian.

My boss and his boss’ boss follow me on Twitter. No pressure there. =^)

Also surprising is how many people don’t give any kind of description of themselves at all. Part of the reason I am on Twitter is the networking…which is much easier when you have an idea with whom you are exchanging comments. I guess Twitter is what you want to make it. I choose learning, sharing, and networking as my main goals in the Twitter-verse. How about you?