Opportunities: Career Shift Silver Lining

Deciding not to take a job is often be as difficult as taking a job.

Why? Because it forces us to re-evaluate what's important to us.  It makes us commit to a new direction that is in essence, "starting over again with no mistakes."  New jobs are "do overs."

Choosing to stay in a job when your focus shifts from that of your employer to your own personal goal such as family or career development, however, is an even tougher decision.  That compounded with  this economy can make shifting careers a scary prospect with those at any part of their career.

My Story
I am currently in the process of re-evaluating whether I should stay in my current position or taking a step back from my career and focus on my family as a full-time at-home-mom. (A career on every level but unpaid.)

Rather than focusing on the uncertainty of my job (there is only funding for 6 months for my position), I've chosen to focus on the opportunity this is presenting for me and my next career transition.  Turning what could be a negative situation into a positive opportunity is one way to look at how you move from one phase of your career to the next.

You may be thinking, "is she nuts in this economy?" I've interviewed and applied to other positions (federal positions so it could take months upons months for a decision and interview to be set up - seriously), so its not the lack of potential new career opportunities that is making me consider leaving the workforce at this time.

To add another twist, I'm not sure when or how I might reenter the workforce once I leave.  For the first time in my life, however, I'm not worried or scared.

Some things I am certain about:
- The Lord is fully in control of every aspect of my life (including my career).
- Each time I have wanted to return to work, an opportunity has arrived.
- I'm the only wife and mother for my family.
- Not knowing the future isn't a bad thing if you're focused on the moment in front of you.

So for now, I am continuing to do my job.  I am ready, however, to move on to the next phase of my life.  Where will that be, you may ask?  I don't know.  You'll have to stay tuned :)


Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;"

Negotiating: Why and How

So why negotiate?  If you're looking for a job, check out how to find a job, or where to look for communications jobs to see my posts on those subjects.  This post is about negotiating.

The Huffington Post did an article following a recent college graduate for her first job offer.  Women do approach the negotiation component of jobs differently then men.  I could do a whole blog on the differences so for the sake of brevity, I'll focus on some highlights for you to consider.

When it comes to salary negotiations, there are many studies that indicate that men are paid more than women for the same job.  Harvard and Carnegie Mellon published a paper in 2007 which discussed some reasons why women don't ask for more money (I would like to add that I think this goes for overall negotiating as well).  For me, I find negotiating for flexibility is more important than money for women with other personal obligations (e.g. working moms, single moms, women taking care of parents, etc.), though the salary should be competitive as it relates to your previous jobs and/or positions.

University of Colorado also has a forum where they discuss negotiation styles that might be of interest.  While I don't know much about this entity, I think keeping up with this site might be helpful for those interested in learning the whys for how we negotiate (or not).

So how does negotiating influence Changing Career Tacks?  In every way!

Before you go on an interview consider the below questions:

1. What are your personal priorities? (For me, its being there for my husband and children first, and the job second.)

2. What is the lowest pay you're willing to accept (and add 5-10% to that number -- this is to allow for them to counter your offer)? You should, however, have a ballpark based on a preliminary screening call with the recruiter or HR manager who contacted you for an interview.  If they are reluctant to tell you, stay alert, this is an indicator of their character as a company.  You should be looking for transparency (as much as possible) during your initial contact with a potential employer.

3) What are other ways which the organization can meet your quality of life perimeters?  (e.g. flexible schedule, part-time, part-time to full-time, a family friend culture, flexible boss).  Now I have to caveat this with a Bible verse.  If you ask for this flexibility, honor that by doing your best if you are rewarded with independence and trusted with that job flexibility.  Do so with integrity but also with an eye to balancing your responsibilities at home as well.  (I have to admit, I struggle to not be immersed with work when I work from home at the expense of my kids and my husband, so I avoid working from home as much as possible.)   Know your limits and be honest about what you can handle.

These are just some of the questions that you should consider if you're looking for a job that will be a good fit for you wherever that is in your life.  These are really issues of quality of life.  I've been there, where I've changed jobs because of more money or title changes.  Instead of seeking for satisfaction with just the job, consider something outside of your work for that (gasp!).  Maybe a relationship with God, a spouse, children, etc.

It took me 4 sectors and 8 different positions to realize that careers will evolve but it needs to be done strategically so each step gets you closer to being content with where you are in life.  Each step you take in yours should be to achieve a higher and higher level quality of life.  For me, it was flexibility to meet my #1 goal, serving God; my #2 goal, serving my husband; my #3 goal, serving my kids; and my #4 goal,
everything else (e.g. jobs, friends, activities).

Ecclesiastes 9:10
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going."

I sleep better now than before.  I'm less unsure of where my life is going than ever before.  When you negotiate for terms of your contract/job offer, remember...this is your life we're talking about.  Knowing what you need to meet personal obligations will go a long way to helping you ask for those features when you're negotiating the terms of your next job.

Happy negotiating!

Interviewing

For all intents and purposes, you're on a date with your prospective employer when you interview.

I say this because it is a two-way street.  I think many people forget that.  They are as much under the microscope as you are.  Take advantage of this opportunity to see if the employer is up to snuff with what you're looking for.  The goal of an interview is for you both to get to know each other.

The best thing to come out of an interview is an understanding on both sides of the table that you're the best fit for their organization and they are the best fit for your life and career.  The hope is that it will be a long and fruitful relationship.

When you sit down, ACTIVELY LISTEN to what they say at the introduction and write down the questions you want to follow up on (you should always have a pen and pad).  This will give you an idea of the direction of the interview.  It will also provide you with some ideas for what to highlight from your personal or professional experience that may be helpful to those interviewing you.  Its also a way to genuinely connect with those you're communicating with.  (I am terrible at listening and often have to remember the tenets of active listening.)

I think a lot of folks interviewing for jobs give up their natural right to ask questions of the employer. Typical ones I've asked (if they aren't already addressed during the introductions) are:

1. Why are you hiring for this position?  (You can find out a lot about the organization's character and culture with this question.  Lots of turn over in the position could mean they need to work out some management issues.  If the person is being promoted, it means (often) that the company offers opportunities for advancement and good enough to stay with.  Listen closely to their response for clues of which way they're leaning.)

2. What is the potential for growth in the position? (Is there any opportunity for you to move up?  You may not be interested now, but its good to know you can grow professionally if you are hired and stay at this job.)

3. What are you looking for in terms of a candidate? (This is the easiest way to see if you're what they're looking for.  If you are a fit, try to highlight items they bring up with relevant experience you have to those items during the interview, when its appropriate.)

4. Have you decided on some possible candidates already? (This is really to manage your expectations.  Interviewers are often honest if they have found some good candidates.  You will likely never hear from them again if they don't offer you a job so this may be the only "closure" or explanation you have for why you might not be hired.)

5. When do you expect to have a decision? (This is also to manage your expectations.  I waiting 2 -3  months between my first and last interviews for one of my jobs.  From the time of my initial interview to the final offer, my last job took 6 months to materialize.  Things to keep in mind.)

Finishing up
Get contact information and email a thank you note to everyone (individually) for meeting with you.  Provide your contact (cell and email) if they have further questions.

Then put the job out of your mind and PRAY.  Not for the job, but for God's wisdom and guidance if it is in His will to give you that job.  PRAY often for peace as you wait and you'll be surprised how good you feel.  He, after all, is in complete control so just do what He compels you to do.

Continue to look for other opportunities until you hear back from one of your interviews.  Remember (my husband will chuckle), the more you interview, the better you'll be at learning the tips and tricks for securing an offer.

Good luck!

Mentors: Your Career Guides

mentors are a HUGE asset for career making and breaking.  The right mentor will become your best friend and confidant.  The wrong mentor will be a source of frustration and heartburn.

I have 4 mentors.

#1 - God is my first mentor (Who better to tell you how to act and make decision?  Ever hear of Proverbs? Check it out if you need advice on your career.  Seriously. Consider it.)

" ¹ The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

   ² for gaining wisdom and instruction;
   for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
   doing what is right and just and fair;
⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple,^[a]
   knowledge and discretion to the young—
⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning,
   and let the discerning get guidance—
⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables,
   the sayings and riddles of the wise.^[b]

#2 - I have an overall career mentor (he owns his own advertising/marketing company outside of Chicago) and has a philosophy to do good.  One piece of advice he's given me is this:

"Whatever you do, ask yourself, how does this help make the world better?"

#3 - I have a mentor at my job (she was my original hiring manager and is someone whom I deeply respect).  I have learned a great deal from her in terms of how to be a leader and be a team player and leader.

#4 - This is an open position.  Seriously, though, this represents all those whom I have yet to come in contact with that can teach me how to be better at what I do and more helpful to those I serve, professionally and personally.  Always have an open mind when it comes to people around you.  They are a wealth of information and you'll be surprised at the lives around you if you stop to listen.

Getting a mentor

Try to read up on what a mentor is before you explore this route.  The University of Chicago has a good program.  While I didn't go through them, my overall career mentor is part of this program and anything he's affiliated with has integrity so I feel confident to provide it as a resource.

If you're a college student, ask your advisor for advice on who they know who might be good professional mentors for you.  Becky Archer of University of Maryland and James Stick at Franklin & Marshall are two good examples of professors and staff who are good at connecting students with potential career mentors and related professionals.

You can start the relationship by connecting with the person and asking for an informational interview (this is just a fancy way to hearing about what they do and who they are).  If, after the conversation, you'd like to know more and think you can learn from the person, ask them if they're consider being a mentor.

Keeping a mentor
Maintaining the relationship is your responsibility and you should respect your mentor's time.  Don't call about every problem you have.  Respect they're time and they will be great assets to you.  They are the people in your life that you should listen to and should listen to you to get you on the right path to career decision-making.

Changing Tacks: Anatomy of a Career Shift

From mid-career professionals who have been downsized to moms looking to recalibrate their careers to fit either a transition to part-time, no-time or coming back to work, pro bono work is a good way to get your foot in the door.  Read my post on pro bono if you're interested in details on that subject.

If you're a new college grad looking for a foot in the door, consider reading my internships and networking post for ideas.

Coming back from a year break after my first child was born, I didn't know how to "reenter" the workforce without starting from scratch.  When I left my job as an Account Executive with a DC pubic relations firm, I had 7-8 years experience already doing public relations (This includes internships.  Internships, while not always paid - though mine were - count as long as you're doing a job.  If the company or organization benefits from what you did, it counts as relevant experience.).  I had worked for PR agencies, private companies such as AT&T and Schering-Plough and was looking to parlay that experience to secure a position which would be the next step rather than a step back in my career.  But how?

Changing Tacks from Industry to Environment:

I had been following idealist.org which is an online forum that posts jobs having to do with the general betterment of society, whether it be environment, development, etc.  They've made some changes to the site that I'm not terribly thrilled about (its not as easy to surf for jobs anymore since they redesigned their site), but I still think its a good resource if you're looking for the "I want to help humanity" types of jobs.(Yes, after having a child, I wanted to save the planet.) 

From my perusal of the site, I saw they had a green job/career fair that was going to be at George Washington University in DC.  They have others throughout the country, so you should check the site out and see if there's one near you.

I was hesitant about going back to work but with some encouragement from my husband, I went to the job fair with a stack of resumes and no real plan.

After seeing the booths, I decided I wanted to go for a "test-drive" by doing some work in the environmental community before committing to moving into that sector permanently.  But how, was the question.  I looked on the participant brochure and picked the organizations I felt were doing work I wanted to be a part of.  Organizations I looked into were DC Central Kitchen, The National Audubon Society, The Brookings Institute and Alaska Coalition.  I am have looked into the American Red Cross and other folks but job fairs are always a bit overwhelming for me.  Looks of possibilities can be exhausting so I tend to focus on 5-6 organizations and go from there.  Its more manageable that way as you can actually have a conversation rather than just dropping off resumes.  Use your judgement on what you're style is but don't discount the possibility that your next job could be among that sea of booths.

Fast forward 3 months...

Interview #1 and pre-screen call
I get a call from the someone from Alaska Wilderness League telling me that someone had passed my resume along from Alaska Coalition.  To be honest, I thought AWL and AC were the same organization, but that's not really important.  What is important is what came next: a job interview.

So during the call the operations officer asked me about my background and told me AWL was seeking a communications director.  (The position was not listed anywhere, so there's no way I would have known to even apply for such a position.) When I offered to do a pro bono project, she didn't even consider it because they were looking for a permanent person for the job.  While this was not what I was seeking, it was worth going in to meet the person who who ultimately end up being my boss.  My husband's (and now my) motto when it comes to interviews..."It never hurts to make a connection."

After a great conversation on the phone, Tara (the operations manager at the time) recommended I meet with her colleague who was doing the job and seeking someone to replace her as her job was evolving away from that role.

Interview #2
So I went in for a conversation (yes, it was not a formal interview but a discovery interview -- an interview where I listened to what they were seeking and they got to learn a bit more about me and whether I'd be a fit for what they were seeking in a communications director.)  After speaking with the person who had been responsible for the communications work, we both felt it was a good fit and she recommended I speak with the executive director about a position.  **Interview Tip** -- Always ask why they're hiring.  This can be a good indicator of the company you're looking into (e.g. If the person is staying, that indicates growth potential.  If the person is leaving, that may mean turnover or some other challenge you'll want to be thinking on as you interview.)

Remember, you should be looking for clues about the organization you're interviewing with as much as they're checking you out.  This is your "dating" period and you should be vigilant to see if they are what you want (I know how radical that interviewees should have a choice!).

Interview #3
Within a week or so of interview #2, I was scheduled to meet with the executive director.  Now that was the conversation where we discussed what they were looking for, when I could start and where I expressed my desire to be part-time.  This was the moment when I knew I wanted to work for AWL.  While I wasn't able to get the pro bono project framework I was seeking, the leadership within the organization was nimble and flexible enough to say, "you can work part time for 3 months and we'll revisit about the timing of you transitioning to full time."  The ED knew what the deal breaker was for me (working part time initially) and she had the power to make that decision on the spot.

If I didn't ask, I wouldn't have gotten that agreement in the negotiation.  If God (and my husband) hadn't compelled me to put that not the table, I would never have considered asking.  I found a good paper talking about the difference between men and women in job negotiations that was published by Harvard and Carnegie Mellon.  While they talked mostly about salary negotiations, I think the overall message is clear.  Women are less likely to ask for what they want in an interview.

At the end of the day, I wanted to work but not at the expense of leaving my 10/11 month old full time in daycare.  I wasn't ready so I found an organization that was willing to work with me.

ADVICE alert: The negotiation period is an important time in your job search where you have to carefully weigh what you want and what you need in terms of a job (e.g. flexible schedule, family friendly environment, potential for growth, etc.).  That's where you get to decide if its a fit for your life as well as ensure you have a job that you'll want to be in and find fulfilling.  I'll write more on that if you comment below!

Interview #4
So yes, there was a 4th interview and it was with staff.  For a communications position, it is very important to interview with all those (when possible) that you will work with.  As the national lead on communications, I would have to work with everyone so everyone was basically in the room to ask me questions.  During that interview, I fielded questions from development and donor outreach to press communications to program communications support.  Its always a bit intense being surrounded by 6-8 people but you learn to adjust to that level of scrutiny when you've been on as many interviews as I have.  Like anything else, it provides you with an opportunity to practice and that is invaluable when it comes to this job market.  You need to impress the first time you encounter prospective interviewers whether it be 1 or 21 people.

Starting a Job in the Environmental Field
So I started within a month of my interviews wrapping up.  I started as communications director for 3 months and after 3 months, I transitioned to full-time.  I was AWL for two years before I chose to leave after my second baby.  I tried working part-time after my maternity leave but the organization really needed a full time person it the communications role.  With limited budgets and the organizational changes (they had hired someone to do my job while I was on maternity leave), there wasn't really a job for me to go back to.

New Skills Acquired? Check!
So how did I hone my skill set at AWL?  I learned pretty much how to do communications for an environmental non-profit as well as how to do legislative communications and planning.  Remember my blog about developing a skill set?  I added both environmental as well as legislative communications in one job.  The benefit and downside of working for a small but busy non-profit is that you get to do everything!  Because of that experience, I was able to add legislative communications and planning to my resume, which has made me a more valuable asset to hiring managers since.

To Pro bono or Not to Pro bono

What is Pro bono?

Pro bono is work that you do for free and is often associated with the legal profession.  I've never been afraid to make things my own when it comes to branding so I like this term because I feel if you have a skill, you can provide it for no cost and its the same thing as what lawyers do. For me, it was public relations and communications.

The Advantages of Pro bono Work

First let me caveat this with the fact that my husband is the primary bread winner in my house.  He has had the same job since graduating from a M.S. in 2001.  That stability has given me the opportunity to explore.  If you're a single parent, your flexibility will likely look different than mine (both financially as well as logistically).

The benefit of this approach when you're in a mid-career shift (by choice or by downsizing), is that if your skills are transferrable (and I think 90% of jobs are), you can take your skill set and port what you've developed to another industry.  PR is easy because everyone needs communications and promotion.  When I interview, I like to describe my shifts from industry to industry or sector to sector as just the "flavors" of the work I do.  Everyone needs press planning, media relations, writing, strategic planning.  The benefit of those who hire me now is that I have developed most of the "tools" necessary to do any communications job.  The only time I need is to bone up on the "flavor" or content of my new company or organization's priorities and focus.

The other benefit is that there is little risk for a potential employer to bring you on board and you get to leave after the project.  Trust me, the no strings commitment is very attractive for someone like me who tends to like to test-drive the personal interactions (which is 99% of the work if you don't work for yourself) with those I might be working with should the pro bono project result in a job offer.  Who wants to be stuck in a job that you love but work with people you can't get along with?  This pro bono period of time allows both the organization and you to see what it would be like to make it permanent.  Someone I spoke with recently called it "dating" and I would have to agree.

Things to be Aware of regarding Pro bono work

As I said, I am blessed to have a husband who has given me a stable home life so I can explore doing pro bono work, but that may not be the case for everyone. 

If you're out of work now, you're first priority is to get a job.  If you have kids, your first priority is to get a job that will pay for your daycare (if they're that age) and start thinking about how to find the time to get something more stable that is sustainable as a career if you're not already in that profession (non-service industry track).  Our priority as parents is to be there for our kids.  We need to look for jobs that pay enough and work sane hours so we can be with our families (2 parent households or otherwise).  One place I like for Christian parenting advice is Focus on the Family's parenting site.  I'm linking a single parent article because I think it focuses on the importance of focusing on the kids when you're a single parent.

For those who are parents or otherwise, be very project specific when you discuss a pro bono project with a prospective employer.  You should do some research and really see a potential for you to have a longer-term job with them.  If that isn't the case, find another company or organization where you can have a real chance to obtain a permanent job or make an important contact for future job leads.

**Warning** Pro bono work should not be entered into lightly and should only be considered if you have the time and there's a specified period of time for the start and completion of the project.  There are many companies who will take advantage of pro bono services (I experienced this once, and it can be a huge time waster.).  I'll write more on how to negotiate for a pro bono project some time down the road.  If you're really interested in learning more, you'll have to post the question as a comment for me to write more.  (There are just too many things swimming in my head to cover everything too in-depth unless someone is asking for specifics).

Internships and Networking: The Price of Admission for Today's Job Market

While this is a post mostly for college students, if you're in a career transition there is a gem at the bottom of this post so if you're impatient, skip to the end where I talk pro bono.  I also wrote a post on the subject if you're interested in learning more about this approach as a foot in the door.

I was asked to sit on a career panel this week hosted by the University of Maryland for Sophomores and Juniors within its interdisciplinary studies program dealing with sustainability.  The program draws students from different disciplines and gives them opportunities to work collaboratively to prepare them for "real life" scenarios.  There is often a component where they do an applied project in the real world.

Because the planning committee for the career panel was unable to secure participation with journalist, Juliet Eilperin of The Washington Post, to talk about communications as a career, the panel turned to me to ask my participation on the panel which had professionals from the National Council on Science and the Environment, USDA, State agency, finance and the wind energy industry, to name a few.  I represented a communications professional working for a federal agency dealing with the ocean.

After introductions, there were a series of questions asked by the moderators to the entire panel.  One of them was, "How important is an advanced degree and how important are internships?"

Highlights of the discussion
Advanced degree:
When it came my turn to respond I didn't hesitate to point out that I only had a bachelors (gasp!) and that and advanced degree was not necessary to do my job (double gasp!!).  I did, however, point out that 15 years of working in the industry and well-placed internships do help.

Internships:
Think about internships when you're a sophomore in college (this is how you start to learn what its like to work).  This has become almost a requirement to getting your first gig.  You can't get a job without experience and experience can only be gained by doing a job.  For college students, that's only going to happen through an internship.  Remember your in a tough economy so overqualified people will be applying for every job.

Networking:
Its not rocket science.  This just means talk to people and ask questions of people you come in contact with that are working in your target field or doing things you think you might be interested in doing.  Work with people and entities within your personal network as well as within your school (your advisor is a good place to start) about how to secure internships during your summers and winter breaks.  Don't be afraid to ask someone in your target field or industry to sit down and give you an informational interview. As I mentioned in my "how to get a job" post, you never know who will get you your next job.  Notice I said who not where?  That's because networking is the most effective way to get a job.  Chances are there is someone within your network now, who can find you a job, offer you a job or connect you with someone who knows of or is hiring.

Questions to consider for an informational interview:

1) How did you begin your career?
2) How did you choose your career?
3) What are the top 3 things you would do differently?
4) What do you do in your job?

Pro bono Work for those Transitioning
If you're mid-career or looking for a change in tack consider doing a pro-bono project (within reason) with a potential target employer.  Its a good "date" for both you and the prospective employer.  I tried to do this and ended up getting a job because they refused to go the pro-bono route.  If you're interested in hearing more, post a comment with your question to this post and I'll respond for all the readers to see.

Paying the Bills While Changing Tacks

Opportunity for career advancement is all around you.  I realize some reading this might assume I mean the web and search engines for jobs, but I mean much more than that.  What I'm talking about is that you never know where your next job is going to come from.  While I attribute much of my success and the BREAKS in my career as a combination of working hard and being recognized by people of influence who then secured my next job opportunity, I fully give credit to God for knowing how best to use me with each subsequent career step I took.

Working 101: Plan A and and Plan B
1. Have a Career goal (a professional skill set you want to develop for the long haul) - for me it was public relations.

2. Have a fall back skill set for when the market is lean and you need some change in your pocket (this is the skill set that can pay the bills and give you breathing space to look for your next opportunity) - for me it was administrative assistant and office manager stills.

Keep focused on Who You're Really Working For at the End of the Day


Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

My commitment to my work ethic is very much tied to who I am, almost to the point of alienating the people I work for at times.  My mom was industrious, as was my grandmother. What I had a hard time learning, however, was that success is actually defined by your ability to work well with others and bring them along on your journey with a joint goal.  I still struggle sometimes with this but have gotten much better with prayer and the right kind of mentors and models (more on this subject in another post).

A great blog I follow to keep me on the right track when working with others with a focus on meeting my organization's strategic priorities is Leadership Freak.  Check it out.  It is both inspiring and informative.  This is one of the rare blogs that I have a RSS feed to my inbox.  That's how valuable the insights are to me.  Even though the blog is focused on leadership, I find many of the topics discussed are ways which can help me be more strategic in how I work with people that work for me and people for whom I work.

Whatever you decide, be faithful in your prayer life, be focused on the necessity of playing well with others and never lose sight of the fact that you are meant for great things, even if you may not be aware of what those things are right this minute.

Stay the course!  You'll be glad you did.

Where have all the communications jobs gone?

So inevitably, when we talk about changing tacts (see my first posting), the question most people (at all phases of their career) wants the answer to is where are the communications jobs?  If you're completely impatient skip to the bottom of this post for sites and JOTW's links.

Now, I live in the Washington, DC area now so the lists and blogs I check out are for this area, with the exception Ned Lundquist's Job of the Week (JOTW), a free email listserv (yes they still exist) of communications jobs all over the country.  When I left my job at Fitzgerald Communications to have my first child in 2005 (the PR firm was acquired the year after I left), a former supervisor whom I'm still in periodic touch with (Christmas cards), told me about JOTW.  While I have never gotten a job through JOTW, its SO NICE to know there is a resource out there that continues to focus on mostly communications positions for that future time where I might be in the right place at the right time.

The Right Job for the Right Phase: Honing a Skill Set that You can Take to the Next Opportunity
Also, this feeds into the whole focus for this blog which talks about HOW you work, rather than WHERE you work.  Did I work 70+ hours a week when I got my first official PR job in NYC?  Absolutely!  I started as an account coordinator (that is the very bottom of the pecking order in a PR firm) working on everything from new business presentations to press databases and pitching to reporters.  How long did I last at that pace (even in my early 20s)?  9 months.

13 years later, I still do PR but in the federal government.  I'm no longer single and working in Manhattan, able to stay late at work and take a car service home (oh yes, I worked so late, for safety reasons, they allowed me to take a cab home when I was working on powerpoint presentations until 3am/4am), or working for an environmental non-profit on the Capitol Hill.

Now, I have 3 kids  (6, 3, and 21 months) and am doing communications strategy and planning for my office within NOAA. I now work a sane 40 hours/week and can telework from home when my kids are sick from school and daycare.  I work for the government now (albeit as a contractor) and am in a place in my career where I've put in my 70 hour weeks at a PR firm in NYC and can do my job (at a much higher level) in 40 hours a week.  But my skill set is the same.  I still do PR and legislative communications.  I just do more at the planning and strategy level than at the beginning of my career.

Things to think about BEFORE you look for a job
These are all the things you need to think about BEFORE you look for a job.  What is your life like right now?  Are you free to travel?  Do you have restrictions with children?  Are you open to freelancing?  Do you have some time before graduate school to do a free internship?  Thinking about all these things will help you to choose a job or opportunity that's right for you at this phase of your life.

Job Resources
So back to sources for jobs in your area (local or by industry).  If you're looking for communications-related jobs in the DC area, here are the places I like to look (just to keep things interesting).  I prefer blogs to traditional websites because I've found blogs to be much more timely in terms of their job announcements.  That said, I would suggest you check out the big local newspapers and government sites (in the DC metro area job market) if you're interested in hitting all avenues.

I love JOTW!
Job of the Week - Close to my heart and a great resource for jobs.  There's something so organic about Ned's list.  Its a list of jobs he takes the time to put together for his subscribers every week!  I like the fact he also puts a place for young professionals (often with no little to on experience) to pitch the entirety of the community.

BLOGS: 
DC Public Affairs + Communications Jobs - One of the most comprehensive blogs for communications/PR jobs in the DC area.  I like this blog because its easy to navigate and is very intuitive in terms of how they send you to the organizations' web sites.  Do be warned that applying for positions directly from this site can be a bit cumbersome so you're better off going directly to the website and applying online if you're really interested in the job.

The PR Coach - I just found this today and love, love, love that its comprehensive.  It not only has its own job board that is easy to filter and search (JOY!) but it also connects you with the other sites that serve PR professionals!

The Hispanic PR Blog - I like this because it targets a particular market of PR professionals (who have a special skill set) dealing with a particular segment of the population within the PR field.  Not sure how their job site works but this serves as a good example of the variety of ways to look at your skill set that you may not have considered in the past.

Traditional sites for DC area communications jobs
USAjobs.gov - I know, I know.  But this is a great place to look if you're interested in something with a bit more stability.  While this seems like a pain, once you take the time to set up an account, the process for applying for jobs have become much easier.  That doesn't, however, mean getting jobs is easier.  Just think: now the federal agencies have a larger pool of candidates to choose from for each position.

The Washington Post - While not the best online, you should check out the Post's job section on Thursdays if you're interested in holding something in your hand in your job search.  I prefer blogs as I'm less patient, but I realize some folks like to look at postings in papers so here's one option.

Contract Companies (science-related industry)
Contract companies that hire for jobs in the government - There are lots of contact companies dealing with  non-military hiring at federal agencies.  Below are some that work with NOAA but there are many more that work for other agencies.  This may be an option if you're comfortable with 1 to 2 year contract terms or a foot in the door for networking for potential permanent positions.

I.M. Systems Group - This was the first contact company I was hired by when I started in the federal sector.

CSS-Dynamac  - This is where I am now.  I'm doing much of the same as my previous position (except I'm with a different part of NOAA now) but the pay is better and the higher level of responsibilities.

JHT - My husband (who also works at NOAA) was with this contractor before becoming a federal employee (albeit it took 9 years) and really liked his experience with this company.

SAIC - I'm not familiar with this but my husband pointed out so I thought I'd include.

Regardless of what you're looking for, if there's a will, there's a way.  Don't lose heart.  The just think of this as an opportunity to consider different avenues that you may not have considered before!

Question of the Day: How do I get a job?

Despite my best efforts to focus this blog on changing industries or as I like to say "tacks," without changing your skill set, I find myself being asked by numerous individuals how to get jobs. (My husband finds this endlessly amusing considering the fact that he's witnessed all these transitions.)

It is because of my limited time working full time with 3 little ones that I decided to take a detour for this post and talk a bit about this question.

Before you ask yourself, "How can I get a job?," you should really ask yourself the following:

1. What am I qualified to do?
2. What am I willing to do as a job?
3. Who within my network is someone who might be knowledgeable about the job market and how I can plug in?
4. In what other industries might my skill set be applicable?
5. PRAY

#1 will help you manage your own expectations.  If you are realistic in this assessment, it will help you achieve success.

#2 dovetails with #1 in the fact that you may need to do an internship somewhere as a means to get access to the people that can help you find your next job.  I say next job because I believe we're shifting more and more to a model where experts will change jobs more frequently and employers will be looking more and more into hiring experts on a consultancy basis.  More on that in another post.

#3 will support your job search efforts as well as expand our thinking of what you might be qualified to do.  You never know who you know and what types of jobs they might hear about and know about that are a fit for you.  Don't discount the power of people as a mechanism for finding you jobs or maybe even giving you one themselves.  If you don't have a professional network to tap into because you're just starting out, look into your college advisor or department chair as they often know of internships to get your foot in the door.

#4 will allow you to expand your search parameters to include a wider range of organizations.  This really is the central piece of my philosophy of honing a skill set rather than doing a job.  The skill set can be applied to any "flavor" or industry (PR is very much like that whereas other jobs like electrical engineering is not, so take this with a grain of salt), which allows you more flexibility when considering the next career step.

#5...Prayer will get you further than anything else you can do.  Pray for discernment and for guidance on what God would like for you.  Seriously. Consider it.

Tacks: Changing Directions

Change, while necessary and ever-present, is an uncomfortable subject for many people.  When you overlay change on top of a career, things can get complicated.

I've spent a great deal of time doing public relations, media relations, legislative communications, etc. and have learned a lot about myself and my value to the organizations I've worked for, and there have been a few.  During the course of 15 years, I have held 8 different communications positions in 4 different sectors, working for organizations with a mission from pharmaceutical companies to telecommunications to the oceans and Alaska.  

In this blog, I hope to address many of the questions I've come across regarding recalibrating one's career amid life changes such as kids (I have 3) and moves (I've lived in 5 states), etc.  In addition to my personal reflections about developing a specific skill set that is resilient in an evolving employment landscape, I am also hoping invite others who are experiencing the same type of career tacks changes (a nautical term for changing directions) that I have come through.

Stay tuned!