Jane Falter

It’s Mother’s Day. A great day to remember my mom.

My mom died over 33 years ago–I was still in my 20′s. But even though she’s been gone a long time, hardly a day goes by where I don’t think of her in some way.

In church, there are her favorite hymns. At home, there’s the way she used to do things–and the foods she loved to cook. With my own kids, I often hear her giving me some of her wisdom–which I usually didn’t appreciate at the time, but now, I see how wise she really was.

My mom was not perfect and I have learned not to repeat her mistakes. I have learned forgiveness and to love her–warts and all.

She was one of the first women supervisors in the phone company. She was a good mentor to others and a loyal employee.

She led by example in many ways. She was fortunate to have a job during the depression. But she didn’t forget her cousins and nephews when they might not have clothes or food without her help. A generous spirit. I can only hope I have done enough to help others.

I used to hate it when little kids would come over and I watched her get “that look.” She was looking around the house to see what she could give them to take home. I worried, “not that toy” — nothing of mine was safe. It was her giving nature.

I wonder how my daughters will remember me when I’m gone. I hope they know, as I know now–that we moms do the best we can–always with unconditional love.

I hope you are remembering your mom today!

Have you captured your brand on your resume? What is a brand anyway?

I know when I first heard about branding, I was confused as to what it is and how it could help me. Here’s a couple of points that could help you.

We are familiar with brands when we consider products or services we buy or use. We see images the company tries to convey to us all around us. And while they may serve as an initial introduction, once we use their product or service, we develop our own image based on our personal experiences.

What do you think of when you think of Nike? ATT? Target? Walmart? All these have brand images they have spent a lot of money on their brand.

When preparing your resume, look at the overall image you want to convey to a prospective employer. While you may not have thought about it in this way, we have been building our brand by how we use our skills and strengths and the accomplishments we’ve made through the years.

Are you someone a “techie” who easily picks up new technology? Are you a leader who not only sees the big picture, but is able to implement the steps to achieve a goal? Maybe you’re always a “go-to” person in whatever organization you work in.

All of these are possible brands and are important aspects to capture on your resume.

I admit that while I often instruct my coaching clients to take care of themselves, I don’t always follow my own advice. But I recently had to do just that.

Last fall, I decided to get certified in resume writing. Although I’ve worked in HR for most of my career, I wanted to make sure I did the best for my clients. How tough could it be? Well, very very tough! I had no idea how challenging this program would be. Lots of new skills and intense concentration.

I tried to continue my regular schedule while trying (key word) to complete all my homework assignments. I realized how my stress level was quickly rising to new heights. When I make a commitment, I keep it. But it was my resume assignments that were being put on the back burner.

Eventually I decided to look at where I spend my time and cut back. I gave up some church meetings and groups, I stopped going to some optional business networking events, and yes, I even stopped blogging.

The interesting thing is that the world didn’t stop spinning. My church choir continued fine without me (maybe better)! The good news is I got my certification and am now able to once again readjust my calendar.

What I’ve learned is that sometimes you have to do something that disappoints people. Be selective as to how you spend your time. Pay attention to when you find yourself getting angry or resentful–perhaps it’s time to cut back and figure out what you really want or really can do. From now on, I will be more cautious about how many commitments I take on. A good lesson for everyone.

So, if you have missed my blogs, I’m back and ready to go!!

The big news today was that my NC area had the highest rise in unemployment rates in the state this past month. Not news that anyone wants to hear.

While it’s hard not to get caught up in doom and gloom when all the news seems to be negative, you have to pull yourself up and choose the path that leads to success. One road leads to giving up and the other one is focused on possibilities.

Understand what you have control over. You can’t guarantee interviews or job offers, but you can control the process and what you are doing that increases your chances for a successful outcome.

Are you organized? How do you track your progress or what you’ve done? One thing you can do is to create two spreadsheets. One for your networking contacts and the other for jobs you applied to, phone interviews and replies etc.

How does your resume serve you? I am surprised how poorly written most resumes are. Is your resume focused on your past responsibilities? Or have you taken care in identifying your position targets and have incorporated key words  so that your resume will be selected for viewing?

Are you resisting the power of social media? Do you know how to utilize social media to your advantage? If not, there are many sites on line where you can learn more about how to make them work for you!

Are you trying to do your job search alone? It can be lonely out there! Find a few trusted friends who will support you in the process and help you keep up your spirits. A career club is a great way to get guidance on your job search and also provide you regular support from people who are in the same situation as you are.

As the old cliche goes, if you keep on doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. This is 2011–time to shake it up!

Sign up for a free critique on your resume or if you’re in the Asheville area, let me know if you are interested in my career club starting in February! (see my web site for more information)!

Searching for a job does not have to be DEBILITATING emotionally (or exasperating at best) Some people believe that jobs are even, (and I am going to whisper this so shhh, sccaarrrccceee). However, you don’t have to be a famished job seeker. Instead, be job savvy! I am passionate about empowering my clients to take exhausted and worn out resumes and turn them into resumes that scream, “I am ready to do my best for YOU!”

Why do I go the extra mile for my clients?  Well, simply…because nothing is as important as your resume. These days, without having a resume that WOWS (rather than “just works”), you probably won’t ever get that interview in the first place.

One of the first decisions you have to make is to decide what it is you are looking for. Sure, you may have more than one target, and you may need to create two (or more) differently focused resumes depending on those unique targets. But being clear on what you are looking for is critical. One of the ways I help my clients get clarity is by an in-depth interview of their background and career objectives.

Secondly, a good way to start is to look through some of the job postings and job descriptions on career sites (sometimes called job boards) and scan them for jobs you are interested in. Note the particular responsibilities potential employers list and what kind of qualifications they are looking for. Look for themes between the various postings.

Then gather up any job descriptions and performance reviews you have and if you have an old resume, that will help as well. Start picking out the accomplishments and responsibilities that in particular, match the job you are targeting. You’ll want to highlight them in your resume so your potential employer can easily pick them out.

In this tough economy, employers want people who have the skills to hit the ground running. You must demonstrate through your achievements what you can do to fill their needs. Remember, your resume is not an autobiography. It doesn’t have to include a list of everything you have ever done in your life. Be selective in what you include!

More about turning up your resume in subsequent posts. I reserve Tuesday afternoons for tweaking resumes with my clients. It you’d like to be included on that list, email me and I will let you know when I have my next availability. If you’re ready to position yourself for success in 2011, email me at jane@janefalter.com.

Are you looking for a job? With so many people looking for work and so few jobs available, the competition is fierce. Job hunting has never been something that people enjoy; but these days, the pressure is on and it’s difficult not to be brought down by your situation.  I totally get that!  But you don’t have to feel isolated and overwhelmed.

First, recognize the things you have control of and those you don’t.  The way to keep your confidence so that you come across confident to your future employer is to focus on the process, have faith and believe that you will rewarded for your dilgence and your perseverance.

Although I don’t own a GPS, I count on my MapQuest Directions and maps in order to help me get to where I’m going. Without these trusty tools, we may wander around aimlessly and arrive late or may even throw up our hands and go back home in frustration.

A job search without good pre-work and clear targets is very similar to that direction-less car trip.  That’s why it is so essential for you to have the relational support of a coach to get you to your desired outcome. You may find yourself very busy, but getting no where.  And although you may not want to take the time to program your GPS or pull out a map–you will reap the benefits in the end, by doing so.

I can hear the wheels turning in your head, you’re saying, “But I just want a job, any job.”  I understand, but do you really mean that?

I was sitting in on a workshop for unemployed people and one of the participants said that very thing.  Then almost in the same breath, she described her last job at a grocery store.  She got a job–but couldn’t stand the way the manager treated her and the hours she had to work.  In the end, she quit–so, she really did have job requirements.  Do you agree with me–that she had values of wanting to be treated fairly, wanted some flexibility in her schedule and she wanted to enjoy her co-workers?

What are your priorities? What kind of work environment do you want to work in? How about the schedule–day, evening–part time? List out as many particulars you can think of.  Then develop a plan on how to get there.  For example–how much time will you spend each day on your job search? who can you network with?  Could volunteering help you meet more people and/or gain needed skills? Do you have a resume that is targeted for your ideal job?

Don’t assume you have to settle for what you can get–call me or email and let me serve you with a session completely oriented to helping you find your perfect job.

I recently attended a networking event where someone mentioned something I’ve heard many times,  “I was making more money than I thought was possible…but I was miserable in my job.”  I can certainly relate to that.  I finally thought I had made it “big” by working for a mega company.  I was making the salary I had put on my goal list several years prior–but I would often call it, “blood money.”

And as many times as I thought I would just suck it up and collect my paycheck, I realized I couldn’t just leave my pain at work.  I spent so much energy trying to survive from 9 to 5, that I was exhausted by the time I got home.  How many times I promised myself to figure out what was next for me.  But all my energy had been used up during the day.  Well, maybe tomorrow…

I just needed a few more years before I could retire in style.  What was a person to do? I tried to stick it out.  But while my head was repeating my “five more years” mantra, my body knew otherwise.  I ended up with intestinal problems resulting in several uncomfortable tests (you know the kind) and an emergency room visit.  My wake up call finally came when someone said I looked like an “abused puppy.” Guess I wasn’t fooling anyone.

Like a lot of people, I stayed because I was convinced would never be able to earn good money and do something I loved.  That was 4 years ago and now I’m excited helping women make the same boat load of money AND work their passion.  Why do we have to choose?  Sure it doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s worth the journey!  What’s stopping you from walking through the door toward your possibilities?

[Note: In case you're curious--my intestinal problems have gone away almost completely.  Chronic stress sure does a number on our bodies!]

I just returned from Tory Johnson’s Spark and Hustle Conference in Atlanta.  Wow!  What an event.  First of all, it’s such a rush being among so many energetic and accomplished women–over 200 of them.  If only I could bottle that up–we could use it instead of some of those other energy drinks (that usually don’t work).

I was impressed with the many ideas that this group of women have individually created.  It boggles my mind how unique we all are; and yet our journey and challenges in starting our businesses is somewhat the same.  All the speakers and attendees were there to support each other with knowledge and cheering each other on.  No competition there.

All the speakers gave real-life examples for us.  There was no pie in the sky philosophies–just practical tips you could apply to your own situation.  But it was not without cheering and motivation.  These were real people that had suffered the same types of set-backs and “issues” as the rest of us.  If they made it–we can too.

Tory is a very down-to-earth person.  She made herself available to everyone–including a zillion photos with everyone.  I admired her for bringing her kids to the conference.  They were just returning from resident camp and she didn’t want to spend the weekend without them.  Her kids were kept busy with various tasks and photo taking–a great family.

The two other organizers besides Tory were Michelle Pippin and Laurie Baggett.  All great presenters and achievers in their own right.  All n’ all — a power-packed weekend.  If you have a chance to get to the next conference — I suggest you take it!

Although I’ve often heard about the theory of  “6 degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon”–I never stopped to think about how this applies to networking.  I’m sure you’ve met someone who knew someone you knew or lived near your old house or came from your home town.  Well, make that principle work for you in networking.

Whether you’re a small business owner or looking for a job or  information–start with your current network of friends and family. Maybe the person you know can direct you to someone  who is in your targeted profession and maybe that person knows someone who works in one of the companies you want to work in.

I quickly learned in business, you cannot predict who might be able to connect you with a referral or potential client. It started soon after I got my coaching certification–I was selling my house and my Realtor knew someone who was in a transition and might be open to coaching.  It took me by surprise then, but now I have seen how making connections works in the most surprising way.

LinkedIn and Facebook are excellent ways to expand your network. Adding quality comments or questions on a regular basis.  Get your “people” to help you.  Then, look at the connections of your friends and family.  Add folks that you think might be worthwhile to add to your own network.  That’s the way it grows–one person at a time!

I’m still in disbelief how I got this old this quickly. But here I am–one of those baby boomers who are changing the way we define, “retirement.”

I enjoy my state of denial most of the time, but then I get those not-so-subtle reminders. You know–like the time you first wondered if your doctor is old enough to shave—let alone realizing he is young enough to be your son. Then there’s the time when you go to the movies and the attendant gives you the senior discount without you asking. But there was no escaping the message of getting my letter from Social Security earlier this year giving instructions about when I would be eligible for Medicare next year.

I was never one of those people who pictured myself driving a golf cart in my retirement–frankly, I knew I could never afford it. And that was even before the economic meltdown of the last few years. Despite knowing my biological clock was ticking, it took a few shakes and a kick to get me moving to discover what was next for me. If this sounds familiar–read on!

You know when you look at those maps in the mall or in a park and look for the “You are here” symbol? See if any of these describe where you are now:

Corporate Soldier: You’ve put in your time and have had a long career–sometimes feeling it is a lot longer than the number of years on the calendar! The last few years have been particularly stressful. With every reorganization or right-sizing, you worry whether you’ll be next. You come home exhausted, but keep vowing you are going to take some time and “figure out what’s around the bend for you.”

On the Bridge: You’re already on the retirement bridge. There’s no “someday” about it. The day is now and the only thing that stops you from moving forward is that it feels so overwhelming.

Been there, done that: You did the practical thing and had a career that provided for you and your family. But there’s something more out there for you. You have a few ideas what that could look like, but you haven’t done anything to narrow it down.

Something more: You don’t have a clue what “it” is, but you know there’s something more. If only you could figure out what that is.

Option E: All of the above

It wasn’t too long ago when I was exactly in the same spot (yes, I would have picked ”E”) I kept thinking, “There’s got to be something I could do that would be more fun than this. I should start thinking about it…”

That never happened until my friend, Jackie (www.spiritgemsconsulting.com), became a coach. When I learned Jackie was becoming a coach, I knew it was time—no more excuses. Jackie helped me discover lots of things about myself I had buried. My confidence grew and by the time I got laid off, I at least knew the direction I wanted to go (not that I had done anything about it!)

Many of you have already heard my story, so I want to share a bit about one of my first clients—Virginia Jurkin. Virginia gave up her corporate career and savored the days being Mom for her now 9 year old daughter. Virginia contacted me when she was realized she was ready for some additional challenges. Having had a successful career working in some very well-respected companies, we naturally started exploring jobs that built on those experiences.

As time went on, though, it became evident that going to work every morning and returning later in the evening was not a schedule that fit her anymore. Virginia quickly realized how this change would impact everyone in her family as well.

With so much being done virtually these days, we began exploring the possibility of working from home. I remember Virginia wondering whether working from home would give her the people contact she craved. I assured her that while she wouldn’t have co-workers sitting next to her in the next cubicle every day, there would be lots of opportunities to meet with people for marketing, networking, support and maintaining her business.

It wasn’t hard to discover Virginia’s passion. It was evident that the years of being a care-giver for her mother in law during her last days had made a memorable impact on her. While many of us might have felt depleted by such an experience, for Virginia–it provided a mission and a purpose. She felt it was an honor to help her during the final chapter of her journey here on earth.

Like many of us mortals, Virginia felt over-whelmed at times—but continued to put each piece together until now (drum roll), she is now open for business. As Virginia talked to me with compassion and respectful humor about her first client, a woman suffering with Alzheimer’s, I experienced the difference she would make in so many lives with her new career. Check out Virginia at www.assistancewithliving.net.

No one gets how easy it is to put off daunting goals more than me—I’ve done it several times in my lifetime. Just like getting serious about losing weight—the first step is getting committed enough to take that first important step. Find yourself an accountability partner (friend, family member, coach, mentor, career club) that keeps you moving forward one step at a time. But when you find a goal that is both scary and exciting—that’s where the juicy life can be found!