Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Survey/GiveAway

I would really appreciate your help! Every person that agrees to fill out a survey and return it to me will be entered in a give-away of the book, The Twitter Job Search Guide.

Now, I make no money or royalties from this book, but it is just THAT good that I want to recommend it to all of you.

Also, if you share this with your friends that are also job seekers, they can also be entered into the give-away as well! This is open to any and all job seekers!

Just email me at JulieMendez@jsmcareercoaching.com for more info. Thank you!

Julie Mendez, CJSS, TCCS

Twitter for Job Seekers Crash Course

If you would like to delve in deeper and go beyond the basics with Twitter, if you would like to become a member of that Twitter-savvy job seeker group that is forming now, I would love if you guys would contact me right away.

In both October and November I am offering a four-week crash course (1 session per week) on how to use maximize Twitter in just 15 minutes a day!

I know how the Internet can easily suck you in and you can easily “lose time” as I like to call it.

But I am going to tell you how you can do more, find more, and get more, turbocharge what you are already doing, all in MUCH LESS TIME! Really. Just 15 minutes a day!

If this sounds exciting, if this sounds like sounds like it might be the thing that will kick-start your job search situation, then email me right now (JulieMendez@jsmcareercoaching.com) and sign up for this group. It will only be $50 for the four week course.

I’m hoping to offer a “day” and “evening” groups but it all depends on who’s available and interested when. Since I hope to make these groups open and interactive as possible, I have to limit these groups to 10 people. But if this is really popular I will be happy to open more groups!

Julie Mendez, CJSS, TCCS

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Trailing Spouse Work in the Foreign Service World

This is an exciting post for me to write today. I am going to be the guest speaker on Job Club Radio on Monday, July 12th, 2pm ET, discussing my experience of being a working trailing spouse in the Foreign Service world. You can listen to the show at http://ow.ly/1GtFk.

(Dial-in number: (917) 932-1762 to ask questions during the show. You can listen to the archives after the show as well. For more information, check out the blog at: http://wp.me/pRThs-30.)

I joined the Foreign Service world the way that so many others did . . . by marrying into it! It's a bit of an "unknown" world within most of the US. My quick and dirty explanation is that my husband works in US Embassies around the world, and our lifestyle is much like that of a military family - we move quite often, usually every two to three years.

But this constantly mobile lifestyle wrecked havoc on my professional career, in that I had to give up my successful career as a recruiter in the US.

At our first post in Rome, Italy, I was able to find a wonderful position that both challenged and fulfilled me. I thrived in my job there and wished I didn't have to leave. Yet the longer I am part of this diplomatic world, the more I have come to understand one very simple truth: opportunities like that position are few and far between.

In every US Embassy there are a few positions designated specifically for eligible family members; most of which are clerical or secretarial in nature. Family members are always to invited to apply for any open position at the Embassy, but often there are stringent language requirements that negate practically anyone that isn't a native speaker of that particular language. In some counties, the State Department has been able to negotiate work agreements so that dependants of diplomatic staff can gain work permits to work locally. Many family members take advantage of this to become teachers at the local international schools, or in a few lucky cases to work for international corporations or other non-governmental organizations located in that country.

I realized that the most disheartening of all this is one simple fact: every two to three years I was going to have to start all over again from scratch. It really hit home for me at our second post in Zagreb, Croatia. That "dream job" from my first post? Already filled by family members who were going to be at post at least as long as I was - so there was no hope of me applying for the position at all. In many posts, even the most menial of "family member jobs" are highly coveted and fought over. In short, when seven or eight people apply for a part-time basic filing position, you're never guaranteed you'll get a paycheck, much less a rewarding career.

This realization sent me into a long period of self-reflection. I had always worked, and in fact, I really didn't know how to not work. I got involved in volunteer work and I joined women's groups, but I knew that this was not a long-term solution for me.

What came out of that time of self-discovery was the simple fact that I wanted a job, a career, that could be portable, and would not be dependent on a specific location. What I liked most about every single other job I had ever had was helping people get jobs. And as I searched for ways to create my own personal portable career, I came across the idea of being a resume and job search coach. And I fell in love.

Being a self-employed entrepreneur is not for everyone. There are constant issues that I have to deal with as my own boss, and these are made only even more challenging by the idea of being overseas. One of the first questions I always ask is can I get reliable, constant Internet access? Often taken for granted in the US, but even in major capitol cities, it's not a certainty. Time zone differences can also make talking to clients more difficult - I've gotten up at 4am to conduct sessions with clients across the globe, and often schedule client conversations late at night when my children are asleep. I must not only constantly motivate myself and stay on top of all the little details of running a business, but I have to be my own marketing and sales department and develop and maintain my client base. It can be tiring and frustrating and often feels like you never get to "punch out."

However, nothing is more rewarding than getting that email from a client telling me about that offer letter they just received, or how happy they are in the job they just started.

I would also like to mention that in addition to "working" there are many other things one can do while being posted overseas that are positive ways to further and support a career. I have received grants to further my education and take online certification courses. Many accredited universities are now offering online advanced degrees as well. Taking language courses and improving your linguistics skills is another highly desirable way to boost your resume. Volunteering can be an opportunity to expand your experience and get immersed in new cultures, as well helping others. There are many ways you can continue to really boost your resume if you are overseas and not in a position where you can get that weekly paycheck.

I hope to "see" you all on the podcast next week! Email me or post if you have any additional questions.

Julie Mendez, CJSS

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

FREE July Teleseminar – “Open Mike” Career Coaching

Summertime means it’s time for my version of “Open Mike Night.” Join us as I take your questions in this interactive, open format. All job search and career-related questions are welcome!

As always, there are special deals offered to participants. And, in honor of Independence Day, I am planning free giveaways! But you must join us to find out more.

Date: Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Time: 3:00pm ET
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: FREE
Deals: You Need to Join Us to Find Out!
Register Here: http://www.jsmcareercoaching.com/tele-seminar.html

Thursday, May 27, 2010

"Step It Up a Notch" Contest - There's Still Time!

I’m holding my first-ever contest! It's almost the end of the month, but yes, there is still time to jump in!

As a Certified Job Search coach, much of what I do is ask you all to “step it up a notch:” make your resume a little sharper and more focused, increase your networking, and take the strategy of job search to a level higher than many of you are used to. Turning your job search strategy into a proactive campaign was even the topic of our free Teleseminar this month.

It’s time for me to be walking the walk with my business that I talk with each of you in our sessions. I’m stepping it up a notch in all aspects of my business, and am very excited about expanding my services to offer you even more support and opportunities as you go through your career transition.

During the month of May I will be holding a referral contest!

Yes, for every referral you send me that becomes a client in the month of May, your name will be entered in a drawing for one of THE BEST job search books out there, Job Search Magic. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

The Details
Simple: Just refer your friends and colleagues to me. For each referral that becomes an active client, your name goes into a drawing for the book. The lucky winner will be announced in the next newsletter. (Please make sure your referrals pass along your name, so that I can keep track.)

About the Prize
Job Search Magic by Susan Whitcomb is a 532 page “bible” of all things related to Job Search. It’s a wonderful resource for yourself or gift for someone you know who might be going through their own job search. Here are a few reviews:
  • "Any job seeker who follows the formula in this comprehensive, entertaining, and clearly written guide should expect success." -- Laura A. DeCarlo, President, Career Directors International
  • "Packed full of quick tips, checklists, coaching questions, and more to further accelerate your successful search." -- Wendy S. Enelow, Founder and Past President, Career Masters Institute
  • "The most comprehensive book on the market, covering the topic with wit, expertise, superb examples, and a holistic approach." -- Louise Kursmark, President, Best Impression Resume and Career Services

This contest is my way of thanking you all for your support of my business, and how grateful I am for all of your referrals! Good luck!

Julie Mendez, CJSS

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Save Time in Your Job Search Research

Trying to keep up with what is going on in your industry?

Google Alerts sends you emails whenever Google finds new results on your specific search - such as web pages, newspaper articles, or blogs. For job seekers, this is a fabulous tool that can help you monitor what's being said about a specific company product or keep up to date on your industry.

Google Alerts will check regularly check to see if you have new results. For some topics you might get a daily summary, but for others you will be notified when something new and relevant is published.

Monday, May 3, 2010