Work Coach Cafe

16 Comments so far ↓

• SallyHilvbaters // Oct 7, 2008 at 7:45 pm

  My husband and I want to go on a awesome long vacation soon. We were looking for advice. Anyone have any fantastic spots? A way to save some dough would be nice as well. Vacationing is expensive these days.

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• Ronnie Ann // Oct 7, 2008 at 8:44 pm

  Hi SallyHilvbaters,

  I appreciate your visit, but think you may be in the wrong place. Not that vacations aren’t a critical part of our work life, but not sure anyone will find your comment here.

  Not knowing where you live, a friend just came back from her and raved:

  Wisconsin Dells

  But as I said, I think you’ll have more luck getting good ideas on another blog.

  Good luck!

  Ronnie Ann

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• Alieflada // Dec 4, 2008 at 2:17 pm

  I am here at a forum newcomer. Until I read and deal with the forum.
  Let’s learn!

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• Ronnie Ann // Dec 5, 2008 at 1:13 pm

  Welcome Alieflada! Feel free to comment on any of my posts and add to the discussion. Your thoughts are most appreciated.

  Ronnie Ann

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• Susana // Dec 5, 2008 at 6:22 pm

  Ronnie Ann,
  I’m so down in the dumps I feel like crying. I am a school teacher who’s pilot program was discontinued over the summer due to budget cuts. Since June, I’ve been applying for teaching jobs in a three county-wide area. There haven’t been many jobs, and most of the time I’m not even contacted for an interview. Of the three interviews I’ve had, I felt things had gone well only to be the one NOT chosen. I have 10 years of experience and have even written over 40 teacher resource books. My references are great, and I have also been certified in Gifted and Talented as well as ESOL. I’ve been told that around here it’s not what you know, it’s who you know, but that’s such an old excuse I don’t know if I believe it. I’m about ready to quit teaching for good. For 6 months, I’ve been trying to look on the bright side, but that bright side’s a’fadin’ fast! Any words of encouragement?

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• Ronnie Ann // Dec 5, 2008 at 10:40 pm

  Hi Susana!

  I wish I could give you a BIG hug. With apologies…it’s late and I’m very tired, so I will try to answer more fully over the weekend. Please know I feel your frustration and want to give you the answer you deserve.

  In the meantime…and I speak from MUCH personal experience here…sometimes life sends change our way whether we want it or not. But I have always found new doors opening up for me when I chose to go with the flow and see what else was out there for me. I feel there may be something out there you never would have found had all these roadblocks not arisen. You have SO much to offer. We just need to figure out how to get you looking in places where those exact skills are needed and where the right people are there for you to connect with!

  More soon…. meanwhile please know there is something else waiting for you.

  Ronnie Ann

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• Ronnie Ann // Dec 7, 2008 at 3:54 pm

  Hi again Susana!

  I’m back. Oh how I wish I knew someone near you. I’d make that call to get you a job in a minute!

  That said…yes…wherever you live, knowing people (networking) is one of the best ways to get a job, especially in a tight economy.

  I of course don’t know where you live or what the over-all job picture is, but there are a few things I can share that might help.

  First…are there any organizations you or those close to you belong to that can help provide you some of those networking connections you need? If you haven’t already, enlist the help of everyone you know. This includes social groups, trade organizations, and even connections to local universities/colleges. If not, can you find one or two to join? Even if it won’t help immediately, it can help lay the groundwork for the future.

  Next…there is no reason to quit teaching or anything you love for good. There’s always a way back…even if you need to take a temporary detour. Are there non-profits or governmental organizations related to education you might link up with? People with knowledge of education can help elected officials or even quasi-governmental policy groups. Where I live, there are many organizations who could use the help of someone with your credentials in helping to create new programs, develop curriculum, raise funds, lobby for necessary changes, etc. (Try Idealist or some online job searches to see the kind of things near you.)

  I’ve had MANY detours in my life, and then, sometimes when I’m not even looking, a job comes along that needs my skills, including some I thought were long in the past. The universe offers endless paths to where you want to go – not all paths are linear.

  For a little extra inspiration, here’s a post from another blog I used to write. (See? Our past is never far behind us!) Fatima the Spinner: Today Is Just a Thread in Our Tapestry.

  If right now you feel like it’s time to let go of teaching in the way you’ve known it, that may be a great and exciting next step. Those types of skills are needed in many places. Besides non-profits, companies need good trainers. So do technology firms helping people with new systems being born! Maybe even text book publishing houses or editing firms. And I’m sure you can come up with other possibilities if you let your mind wander free.

  If you absolutely want to continue as a teacher where you are, then start networking as soon as you can. Meanwhile, either take some temp work or other work to make ends meet, or…if you are able…find the very best volunteer situation possible where your skills can be a huge asset to people.

  These situations can often lead to real jobs down the road – especially as your networking circle grows and your reputation expands. It’s a good way to redirect your career. In fact, I’m about to do something like that myself right now.)

  Of course, the other question is…can you look for teaching jobs elsewhere or do you need to stay where you are? Could this be a great opportunity to move elsewhere?

  Well…that’s about all I can offer not knowing the specifics of your situation. But the one thing I know no matter what your situation may be is when I’ve had these things happen to me and I decided to let myself look beyond what I thought I wanted, whole new areas opened up for me I never could have imagined, And, although admittedly bumpy at times, it was all good!

  I wish you the best, Susana. Please feel free to let us know what happens.

  Ronnie Ann

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• Ronnie Ann // Nov 15, 2009 at 9:51 pm

  Eeeeeeeeh! I just noticed my comments were turned off. So sorry. C0mments very welcome!

  Ronnie Ann

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• katy^^ // Mar 9, 2010 at 7:36 pm

  I love this site! I came across it this evening when trying to analyse how my badly my interview today went (bad idea I now know after reading some of these archives!) but I havent been able to stop reading it all and will definitely take on board all the fabulous advice for my next impending interview.

  First time writing on anything like this so please excuse the ramblings…where do you find the time to generously give help to everyone?! anyhoo enough of the sycophanting…having realised this is primarily used by Americans, being an American site and all, I guess my specific questions relating to an interview for a job in the British NHS would be slightly misplaced? There is one niggling doubt I wonder you can help me with, I feel I answered the majority of questions well, concise and to the point (believe it or not…!) and feel confident that I could do the job, however I got the impression that they believed I wasnt aware of what the role entailed to a good enough degree. Also at the end of the interview when I asked when and how I would find out the outcome I was told to ring them early next week rather than them ring me, I found this very odd and since telling friends etc about this they also find it strange. Is this completely unheard of or shall I just put this down to my own inexperience and write this off as a ‘learning curve’?! Since finishing uni in June and having several, yet obviously unsuccessful interviews, I’ve not come across this before so I’m stumped really! Sorry for the massive essay!

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• Ronnie Ann // Mar 10, 2010 at 4:36 pm

  Hi Katy!

  Thanks for the kind words. Best advice I can give you as you start a long career is not to be too surprised by the differences in approaches to the hiring process, no matter where in the world you live. I have indeed heard of this before – although it’s rare and not my preferred approach.

  Usually if they are interested, they’ll call you. But best to never assume and just follow through. Be polite and show good energy even when you call to inquire. You never know!

  Best of luck, Katy. If this one doesn’t work out, redouble your efforts and energy to give the best interview ever next time! (And keep reading those tips and practicing.)

  ~ Ronnie Ann

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• Ashley // Mar 12, 2010 at 9:04 pm

  Hi!
  I was checking out your blog the other day and noticed your great advice so I thought you may be able to help me out with my question. I was unsure of where to post it so let me know f there is a more appropriate place for this question.
  I am currently on unemployment insurance and have taken the opportunity to do some real career exploration and set some goals that fit well with my skills, experience and ideologies. I recently did an interview, not for a job I applied for, but for another position within the same organization. They have offered me the position but the problem is it’s for a position I’m not all that thrilled about – low wages, minimal training, poor work environment with high burnout, and 100% on-call. It also doesn’t really fit in with my current career goals. Since when my UI runs out, I may need this casual position but for the few months I have until that happens I would prefer to focus on reaching my career goals – is there any way that I can respectfully turn down the offer and still leave the possibility of applying again in the near future (June-ish)?

  Thanks for your help! I look forward to your response.

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• Ronnie Ann // Mar 21, 2010 at 1:50 pm

  Hi Ashley!

  Without knowing the entire story and every aspect of your life, it sounds like you have a good handle on this. I find the best way is often the one that’s most truthful. As long as it doesn’t jeopardize your unemployment insurance, nothing wrong with thanking them and politely saying you would like to see if you could still find something in line with your career goals – but that you hope you may reapply later since you see there is the chance for career growth. Sometimes we have to take chances based on our gut. Only you know what you need.

  Good luck making the right choice for yourself Ashley and also in leaving doors open – just in case. Smart! Oh…and PLEASE let us know what happens!

  ~ Ronnie Ann

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• neespastist // Apr 13, 2010 at 10:22 pm

  Hello I am currently out of work in Oklahoma, OK. I have applied to most of the job sites more times than thousand times and sent off hundreds of resumes. However, i have not been able to find a single good response to my applications. If anyone knows about any particular place where i can look for a good job, please revert me with the location details. I will be thankful to you for your early response.

  Reply

• Ronnie Ann // Apr 22, 2010 at 3:58 pm

  Hi neespastist!

  I wish you much luck. If I may suggest some things…please make sure you are submitting good quality well-written resumes and cover letters targeted specifically to the individual employer – not just general same-for-all letters and resumes.

  In a tough economy, grammar and the way you present yourself counts even more. Less contacts but more carefully chosen ones where you express why you are right for THEM will bring you better results. (For example, you can use their website to find things that show you know who they are and why you are right for them. )

  But also, nowadays job boards get less and less jobs offers. The real way is networking – personal contact as well as informationals where you ask for advice and suggestions in person or on the phone. Read some articles on my blog and others and use the tips. I have a feeling you are not marketing yourself as effectively as possible.

  Good luck!

  ~ Ronnie Ann

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• MagsNJ // Jul 18, 2010 at 7:39 pm

  Hello,

  I always struggle with answering the famous question during an interview “Tell me a little about yourself”. Any suggestions??

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• Ronnie Ann // Jul 23, 2010 at 3:14 pm

  Hi MagsNJ!

  You’ve asked a quick question that requires a very long answer…more for a post, which I hope to do soon. Truth is…there’s no one right way to answer it since different interviewers have different things they’re looking for and respond differently to “extra” info. In the meantime here’s a short, general answer:

  Just remember to be natural and tell only the parts that paint a picture of someone who fits the job you’re interviewing for. In other words…while your childhood may be fascinating, unless something about your youth clearly relates to the company or the work you’d be required to do (coal miner? I did that as a child! ) , probably best to start with a simple statement about yourself (again related to the type of person they’re looking for) and expand with a synthesized work history that shows how miraculously every thing you’ve done up to now has led you to this precise moment and prepared you perfectly for this job!

  Now of course I am exaggerating a bit…it has to be believable. But that’s the gist of it. Sometimes helps to throw in a strong interest, but only if it helps you paint the “perfect for THIS job” picture – and definitely not if it diverts from your message. The exceptions might be if you know the person you’re interviewing with has a sport in common with you or maybe loves the same charity – and even that you have to present gently and watch to see how they react. But all that is about the art of conversation while still keeping on message.

  If you’re relatively new to the art of the interview, stick to the main message of “why you fit nicely with this job” and show what a lovely, adaptable, self-motivating, results-oriented, creative, problem-solving person you’d be to work with by the examples you share.

  And remember…if they say “tell me a little” they mean it. Don’t go on and on! Stick to the strongest parts of your career story and edit the rest!

  Hope that helps! The full answer will be coming to this blog one day – when I actually write it.

  Good luck!

  ~ Ronnie Ann

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