100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Network, Cold Call, and Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job! (Authors: Laura Labovich and Miriam Salpeter)

This newly-published book helps job seekers manage their day-to-day search and professional networking in-person and online. Job seekers who need this book know they should reach out to business contacts and connect on social media, but don't know how. Scripts and templates teach what to say when contacting people during job searches and showcase various approaches, including details about how to connect in person and via phone, email, and social media sites.  Order it from Amazon.com

You might know that I started my private practice as a resume writer. I expanded into career coaching when I noticed that some clients needed more help to determine their career direction, strongest skill sets, types of jobs they desired, target industries and employers, and what would bring them true career satisfaction. A new resume wouldn't necessarily fix their situation unless they reached clarity around these issues.

As a resume writer, I gave my clients detailed questionnaires, to help them produce value-driven content for their resumes. Some clients would get stuck on this exercise, because they were feeling very confused, overwhelmed, powerless and unconfident about their career transition. Some were despondent over a job loss. Others had become so accustomed to doing work they no longer enjoyed that this blocked them from moving forward.

When I transitioned into career coaching, I had more tools to help clients break out of this funk. The most amazing process I've discovered is Success Factor Analysis, an organic method where we analyze 10-15 of their proudest career achievements, then distill them down into 3-8 "Key Success Factors" (as highlighted in my July article: "Know Your Top Transferable Skill Sets, Then Plan Your Career Transition"). Success Factor Analysis has helped many clients get clear about skills they're naturally good at and passionate about, instead of trying to be all things to all people.

After clients nail down their Key Success Factors, the next step is to substantiate each one by writing two 40-60 word "Reality Stories" about how they used that specific skill at their highest level of effectiveness, and exactly how these contributions impacted present and past employers. This exercise helps clients gain insights about their unique career success patterns and helps them understand what they can offer future employers.

These "Reality Stories" become the core content that is used throughout clients' career transition campaigns in multiple ways: 1) tightened for resume bullets; 2) edited for LinkedIn profiles; 3) expanded for answers for interview questions or 4) woven into networking conversations. The possibilities are endless! Now, my clients no longer feel angst over resume questionnaires. All the career marketing content they'll ever need comes to them through Success Factor Analysis.

You may have already discovered what your top transferable skill sets are, perhaps through personal discovery or online assessments. For instance, if you're in sales, you're probably good at persuasion, negotiations and client relations. If you're a number-cruncher, most likely you excel at accounting, bookkeeping and creating complex spreadsheets. Whatever your skills are, consider backing them with your own Reality Stories. Follow this outline:

You might be wondering, "Why create Reality Stories before knowing an ideal career direction?" My answer is: people in career transition typically don't feel at their peak performance, despite how successful they've been in the past. I've discovered that when clients tap into these stories, it literally explodes their self-confidence and opens them up to new career possibilities. Plus, the stories can be slanted to "speak the language" of a variety of target industries or professions.

Reality Stories that showcase your expertise are essential elements of your career marketing campaign, built upon the foundation of your top transferable skill sets. Taking the time to do this exercise will help you reclaim your confidence - and build your career marketing content!

Like this article? Please post your comments on my blog.

� Joellyn Wittenstein Schwerdlin, The Career Success Coach 2012 

Beta Launch of Online, Self-Study Career Coaching Program is Coming Soon! 

I've been planning a beta launch of an online, self-study version of my career coaching program, entitled: "Wake Up to a Job You Love."� from the core materials I use with my private clients. This program may include monthly Q & A group calls and a forum for participants to post questions to me and have an opportunity interact with each other. Download the one-sheet description here:

This beta launch, which has been rescheduled for the first quarter of 2013, is designed for only 10 participants. It will also be priced at a fraction of the cost to work with me privately, as well as deeply discounted from the fully-launched version.

I expect this program to fill up quickly and consideration will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, please send an email to: joellyn@career-success-coach.com, with "Beta Launch" in the memo and I'll send you an application. (Side note: if you've already expressed interest or submitted an application, I'll keep you posted as things progress with this program.)

Career Action Planning (CAP) Session 

• Do you work hard on your job search but seem to get nowhere fast?
• Are you burned out with your job, but don't know what other work might satisfy you?  
• Do you have trouble understanding how your transferable skills can be used in other professions?
• Do you apply for jobs online, only to get "thanks but no thanks" responses?
• Does it seem like your network can't help you with your job search the way you'd like?
• Do you get interviews--- but no offers?   

Is it time to take a risk -- a giant step forward -- to end the pain once and for all? You may surprised: the problem might not be what you think and simpler to overcome than you thought possible.

Regardless of the issues you face or what you may be frustrated or confused about, I can provide the clarity, creative thinking, objectivity, and perspective you need to get your career and job search moving in the right direction.  

Let's get started with a Career Action Planning (CAP) Session to help you figure out what's working, what needs attention, and what the next steps are to land the job of your dreams!  

Skeptical? Here's what one client said about his experience. He got hired five months after his CAP Session!  

Upcoming Presentations in October

* Topic: "Law of Attraction: Five Principles to Make Your Career Dreams Come True" 

* Sponsor: Hopkinton Networking Group

* Date: Friday, October 5, 2012 /Time: 11 a.m. to Noon (Please note: The general meeting starts @ 10 a.m.)

* Location: St. John the Evangelist, 20 Church Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748