career tips

Are You Happy With Your Career?

November 30, 2015 By jenowenby

I’ve read some fantastic articles concerning what we would tell our younger self and possibly do differently in life. After taking some time to reflect I identified my frustration during those years and my career path, but it was more than that. I realized that I had lost my goals completely.

I was a single mother of two for almost ten years, and it was the hardest job I ever had. I was consumed with day-to-day living, food on the table, and shoes for the kids; I lost my way concerning a career path. I worked two jobs, and there just wasn’t enough time and energy left for what I wanted. Even if I had figured it out, I needed guidance. I needed someone to believe in me and give me a boost in the right direction.

I realize many of us choose a career due to an experience or experiences in our lives. It took additional time for me to find my career path, but when I did, I could see where my passion for helping others stemmed from. My passion is to help others land a great job, advance their careers, earn more money, and be happy. I struggled with all of those things and needed someone during those years in my life to give me hope and stable direction.

I needed to see myself in a different light, be presented as a capable and intelligent person who could do an excellent job. Eventually, I did land the right job that led me to my own business. I now have the ability and training to help people where I struggled. We all realize that if you are not happy with your job it affects every aspect of your life including finances, health, and relationships.

In a nutshell, I would have told my younger self these things:

Your work experience is just as important as your education.
It is okay to focus on a career even while you have a family.
You can research a career, but it is when you are getting your feet wet that you gain valuable understanding and your passion lines up.
Reach out for guidance and help from a professional. This will help you streamline the process, gain clarity, increase your income, and reduce your job search time drastically, allowing you to reach your goals sooner.

Writing accomplishment based resumes is not just about words on a page, it is about bringing an individual to life on paper. This moves beyond listing job duties. This is about connecting people with the right job and right company. It is about boosting someone above the competition and preparing them for an interview through the process. A good resume is about bringing someone’s best self up front and center stage and finally being recognized for their talents and abilities. The right resume can change your life.

If you are in the same position, I was years ago, and you are ready to make a change schedule your free strategy session with me today and let’s make a difference together.

One last thing. ALL EBooks on my site are on sale for $1.99! Grab them while you can. Just click here.

If you’re located in the U.S. or Canada, click here to schedule your free strategy session today!

Jennifer Owenby offers her combined expertise as a recruiter along with training as a professional resume writer. Please visit ONB Professional Resumes and LinkedIn Services for additional information and scheduling an appointment.

Looking for a New Job? A Few Words You Need to Hear

August 11, 2015 By jenowenby

I’m a firm believer in positive thinking no matter what you’re facing in life. However, we all need words of encouragement especially while looking for work or a new job. It’s a major game changer on many levels. I hope you’re inspired by the quotes below.

“Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” — Confucius

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, magic, and power in it.” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

You only need one job. So don’t send out 500 resumes. Focus on finding the right companies with the right roles.

“Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell ‘em, ‘Certainly I can!’ Then get busy and find out how to do it.” — Theodore Roosevelt

There is no “right” or “wrong” time to look for a new job. There is just “now” and “later.”

Stuck? Do something different. “If you keep on doing what you’ve always done; you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve always got.”

“Be open to the amazing changes which are occurring in the field that interests you.” — Leigh Steinberg

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” — Wayne Gretzky

It’s easier to get a new job when you have a job. Just like it’s easier to get “a new boyfriend” than “a boyfriend.”

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder the work, the more I have of it.” — Thomas Jefferson

Don’t be discouraged in your job search. Remember, it’s always darkest before the dawn.

“Getting fired is nature’s way of telling you that you had the wrong job in the first place.” — Hal Lancaster

“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” — Jimmy Dean

“Nothing is impossible; the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” — Audrey Hepburn

“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

Schedule your free strategy session today! www.onbproresume.com

Jennifer Owenby offers her combined expertise as a recruiter along with training as a professional resume writer. Please visit ONB Professional Resume and LinkedIn Services for additional information and scheduling an appointment.

What Pumping Gas and Your Job Search Have in Common

March 21, 2015 By jenowenby

When I first moved to Oregon, I was almost fined $500 for pumping my own gas. An irate gas attendant came out of the building and yelled at me to put the pump down. Startled, I did as he said. I got back in the car while my friend asked what the problem was. The attendant informed us that in the state of Oregon, it is illegal to pump your gas. I thought that was the dumbest thing I’d ever heard. Until, I found out the reason behind it. Oregon uses this everyday task to create paid jobs. Yes, our gas is more expensive, but those extra few dollars are helping someone pay their rent and feed their family.

After living in Oregon for seventeen years, I’m not sure if I remember how to pump gas. The pumps have changed, and you can now slide your debit card in the machine, and no longer have to pay inside the store. I am guessing the pump systems have evolved not only in the last seventeen years, but even in the last few! I don’t think anyone will disagree that technology is changing from day to day.

Now, what in the world does pumping or not pumping gas have anything to do with a resume or a job interview? Everything, if you don’t understand what and how to do it. You might not have a mad gas attendant yelling at you, but you won’t get positive results either. And, although I think it’s an excellent idea to create jobs at gas stations, if you’re reading this, you don’t want to have to apply at one.

Gas pumps aren’t the only things that have changed. The job market has scattered quicker than pollen this time of year. I’ve heard of layoffs from IBM, Microsoft and NBTY just to name few. With the job market over saturated are you prepared to navigate a new position with your resume? Do you understand the changes, not only in the market but, the hiring process too? Do you know what a recruiter is looking for or even how to make sure your resume reaches a HUMAN? You read that correctly; you can apply online, think you apply successfully and never realize the system has kicked you out. Why? It could be due to a number of factors including not having appropriate keywords. What’s worse? You won’t ever know the difference.

What is a frustrated job seeker to do? Stay calm and do your research.

1. What kind of format is the company calling for? If you are applying online, then you will need to make sure you have an ATS format as well as use the appropriate keywords in order to bypass the system and reach a human.
2. If the job qualifications require a degree and you don’t have one, don’t apply. When you check the answer “no” on the application, the system will eliminate your information without as much as a thank you. Unfortunately, you just wasted your time.
3. Follow companies on LinkedIn. Find out what they do, what problems they need to solve, and what role can you fill for them. The more you understand the value you bring to a company, not only have you aligned yourself to solve their problems, but you are more prepared than 90% of applicants.
4. If you are trying to figure out which direction you should go then check out http://www.onetonline.org/. This is an amazing tool that can help you simplify your job search.
5. Not every person is the right fit for every position. Have a bit of fun, learn more about yourself, and take the free personality test at http://www.truity.com/.
6. And, most importantly, as Dori said in Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming.”

Are You Happy With Your Career?

Looking for a New Job? A Few Words You Need to Hear

What Pumping Gas and Your Job Search Have in Common

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