Full-Time Employee PLUS Freelancer: The New American Career Path
Those who are currently employed full-time are adding second jobs or "assignments" as additional streams of income to safeguard against potential layoffs.
In addition to her full-time job, your co-worker is a beauty consultant in the evenings. Your husband, a CPA Monday through Friday, works at a gourmet food market on weekends. Your uncle, an engineer, coaches the high school soccer team every Fall and works at a Summer camp for one month each year. Welcome to the new American career path: adults who hold full-time jobs during the day as well as part-time or freelance positions. According to recent U.S. Labor Department statistics, more than 6.9% Americans are considered multiple job holders. Unlike the past, when people were taking-on second jobs strictly for the money, there is a more current reason why Americans are adding new "assignments" to their work-lives. In today’s unpredictable economy, workers can’t rely on their full-time jobs for their livelihood. They need to be SELF-reliant, not JOB reliant. This means if they were to lose their main position, they would still have a stream of income and the confidence that will put them ahead of others in a similar situation. Here are six options where workers can add breadth to their careers and earn additional income while continuing in their full-time positions:
- Part-time employment. Whether it’s in the retail, restaurant, sales, business services or administrative sector, here’s your chance to find a position in a field you genuinely like.
- Teaching or substitute teaching. Experienced professionals are sought-after to teach classes and bring a real-world perspective to their students.
- Consulting or contract assignments. If you have a background in business, finance, operations, computer/technology, or creative/advertising, these fields naturally lend themselves to consulting or contract work.
- Work for family or friends. Contact every friend, relative or acquaintance who runs a business, and ask about their needs and challenges. Offer to help them out. People who know you are more likely you “give you a break.”
- Home-based work. With the advent of the Internet and computer technology, it’s easier than ever to do real work from home, specifically in the fields of administrative, sales, computer services, creative assignments, bookkeeping, and personal services.
- Odd jobs. There is always a need for reliable help in the areas of construction, painting, sewing, moving and hauling, cooking, cleaning, yard work, and plowing. If you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, you can earn good money providing these greatly-needed services to organizations and individuals.
The world of work has changed. Rather than relying on one source of income (such as from a full-time job), many people are developing second or even third streams of income to provide a greater sense of security. By pursuing an outside interest, hobby or passion, it's very likely that you could do the same. Given the current state of the US economy and job market, that would be a smart move!
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Only Five Interview Questions – Part 2 of 2
No. 3: What’s wrong with you?
Of course, the interviewer will not actually use these words. She might couch the question in more polite terms, but what she is actually trying to find out is why you’re unemployed, or underemployed, or why you’ve had so many jobs, etc. As the candidate, you need to acknowledge these sorts of career challenges in advance; then prepare and practice your responses. Your answers must be worded in such a way that they are fully positive, and elicit the responses you desire.
No. 4: What are your salary expectations?
When it comes to “the salary question,” you want the other guy to make the first move. Do thorough research in advance to determine what the likely salary range is. Make it clear that the job is not all about pay. Say that you’d be happy to discuss compensation once a mutual interest has been established, and get back to discussing your relevant accomplishments. Tell the interviewer that you want the opportunity, and that you expect the company will make a fair salary offer. This doesn’t mean you will necessarily accept that offer, but it means they will have to “draw” first. Once you receive the initial offer, always negotiate up from there.
No. 5: Don’t call us, we’ll call you.
Take an active stance, not a passive one. Be sure to discuss “next steps” before you leave the interview. Ask the interviewer directly how your qualifications compare to those of the other candidates. Display your excitement about the job and the challenges it poses. Let the interviewer know how and when you’ll be back in touch. Don’t leave all the power in the hands of the interviewer; this should be a mutual decision-making process.
Since almost every interview question is a variation of the themes listed above, there’s no need to worry about the hundreds of questions you MIGHT be asked. If you go into the interview focused on addressing just these five basic areas, you’ll feel more confident and less overwhelmed.
The more practiced and articulate you are in responding to these five items, the better chance you’ll have of landing the job. But even if you don’t get the offer, you’ll still be well-prepared for the NEXT interview!
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Only Five Interview Questions – Part 1 of 2
Of all the subjects we cover in career management and job search, the one that seems to cause clients the most anxiety is INTERVIEWING. To ease my clients’ concerns, I often simplify the topic by reducing it to a handful of basic elements.
When you boil it all down, job interviews are made-up of only five statements from the interviewer, which include four questions and one sentence. Sure, you’ll be asked more than five questions, but they ALL seem to be variations on the items listed below. Each of these questions has to be “nailed” in a job interview, and each has a different strategy to answer it. “Winging it” just won’t do!
Here is some simple, sound advice for responding to the five basic interview questions:
No. 1: Tell me about yourself.
This is the open-ended question that on the surface seems harmless, yet how you answer it may spell the difference between landing a job, or being pushed out the door to seek another position. You have to know yourself first – your strengths, your weaknesses, your likes, your talents and your goals. The best way to answer this question is to give your “Positioning Statement,” which is a one-paragraph summary of your career background, strengths, expertise and objective.
No. 2: Why do you want to work here?
This question seeks to determine if you know anything about the job and company. The goal here is to connect your talents, contributions and attributes to the employer’s needs, problems and challenges. You can only do this if you’ve done your homework, and have gathered all the necessary research. The best way to respond is to tell several relevant Accomplishment Stories that prove you have the right kind of experience for the job.
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How to Help Your Child Transition Successfully from College to Career – Part 2 of 2
3. Don’t tell your children that, “If they finish college, they’ll be assured of a successful career.” This may have been true several generations ago, but it certainly isn’t true any longer. Today’s college degree is yesterday’s high school diploma – and it doesn’t guarantee ANYTHING. To succeed in today’s work-world, your children will need much more than a college degree. They’ll need your guidance, along with talent, determination, persistence, a strong work ethic and maybe a bit of good luck. They’ll also need a real-world perspective on what it REALLY takes to succeed.
4. Provide your children with resources, support and encouragement – but don’t coddle them. Many new college graduates have never had to work or assume responsibility for earning any level of income. Naturally, this leads to problems when the child graduates from college and is suddenly thrust into the job market. Even worse, many parents have indulged or “spoiled” their children, leading to a sense of entitlement. Your children will have to work for a long time, and it’s important that they get used to this idea from a young age. Once your children have finished school, make it clear that they must take responsibility for their own career and income, through good times and bad.
5. Explain to your children how important it is to create and control their image on the Internet. Every new worker has (or will soon have) an online presence. In this age of cell phone cameras, You Tube, and Face Book, the trail your children leave on the Internet will follow them for a long time to come. Employers know this, and they research job candidates on the Internet before making hiring decisions. It is vitally important that every young person take control of their online identity, and carefully monitor the “personal brand” they’re building on the Internet. Encourage your kids to use online career management tools such as Linked-In and VisualCV, to optimize and leverage their online presence.
6. Help your children get their first “break” by leveraging family relationships and business contacts.The work world is more competitive than ever, and new graduates face serious challenges in getting their careers started-out on the right foot. Even the most qualified young candidate can benefit from a bit of help in the form of “connections.” Rather than being overly proud and rejecting such assistance, encourage your children to welcome the idea of “getting a break” through friends or family as they launch their careers. It will still be up to your children to prove themselves on the job, or they won’t be employed there for long – even if they’re related to the boss.
7. Allow your children to pursue the career path they truly love; not the career path you think they should love. If your child is fortunate enough to discover a professional path that he or she truly loves, you must encourage and facilitate their pursuit of that career. Put the necessary time and resources into this mission, and the results will be powerful. If your children struggle with identifying their best career directions, engage a professional Career Coach to help them find their right work. Avoid the temptation to push your children into the career paths YOU think they should follow. Instead, let them find their own gifts and passions. This is one of the most generous and healthy things a parent can do for a child.
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How to Help Your Child Transition Successfully from College to Career – Part 1 of 2
Over the past year, we’ve received a number of phone calls from parents of recent college graduates. This is unusual for two reasons: (1) we don’t usually work with clients in their twenties; and (2) these parents are seriously concerned about their children’s ability to start careers. Indeed, many parents are now paying our career coaching fees, to ensure that their kids will have every advantage in the transition from school to work.
I’ve been saying for years that colleges do virtually nothing to prepare new graduates for the “real work-world.” Most college placement offices are woefully inadequate – and knowing this, most students avoid using these services altogether. Graduating from a fine university does NOT guarantee that a student will have a clear career direction, or that a student will know how to mount a successful job search campaign.
You may have heard the term “Boomerang Kids.” This describes the growing number of recent graduates who return home to live with their parents – often well into their thirties! Needless to say, this is not the outcome most parents had in mind when they sent their kids off to college.
So, what’s a parent to do?! Here are seven suggestions for parents, based on actual career coaching work we’ve done with recent college graduates. Following these recommendations will help produce far better results than those described above:
1. Invest in career development coaching. After spending tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of dollars on college, it’s a pretty sure bet that your children never received ANY training or guidance in how to choose a career, get a job, or participate productively in the workforce. Don’t let all that money go to waste. Invest another 1%-5% to ensure that your children’s education will pay-off – with smarter career choices, better jobs, and higher long-term compensation.
2. Teach your children responsible work habits. Patience, discipline, respect, industriousness and punctuality are habits that were “assumed” in previous generations of new workers – but these qualities are all too rare among recent college graduates. Employers complain about this, and they are worried about how to find, develop and retain a workforce to replace the huge numbers of retiring baby boomers. The new employees who will get ahead are the ones who embrace and embody these traits. Therefore, parents should strive to model these behaviors and instill these qualities early in the lives of their children.
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Good Perspective for Bad Times Benefits of Using a Career Coach in a Bad Economy – Part 2 of 2
The truth is that, even in this climate, you have more control over your career circumstances than you might think. There are specific strategies and tactics you can follow that will bring you stronger results in a bad job market. How do I know this? Because I’ve been working as a Career Coach for many years, through several economic downturns. I’ve taught hundreds of people these powerful strategies, so they could find better jobs, advance their careers, and earn higher compensation. Even now, our clients continue to land great jobs every week!
So here’s a question for you. Given how difficult things are now, how do YOU want to react and what do you want to do to improve YOUR career situation? I believe that you have a choice, and that the choice you make will determine how you fare in this market crisis. Some people will panic and “sit on the sidelines” – waiting for the job market to change. Others will remain in a state of denial, acting as though world events don’t affect them. Still others will assess the situation for what it is, and then do whatever it takes to rise above external circumstances to create success!
What’s needed to move your career forward is ACTION, and you don’t have to take on the challenge alone! All the guidance, tools and resources you need are available to you. When money is tight, the natural inclination is NOT to invest in getting help with your career. I’ve heard so many people say, “I’m just going to wait it out, and see what happens with my career.” Or, “I’ll handle my job search alone, and if I can’t find what I’m looking for, I’ll get career help in 6 months or so.”
Frankly, these are NOT smart decisions. In this bleak job market, you need all the help you can get! The time to reach out for career support is NOW. You can contact a non-profit job center, hire a career coach, participate in job search support groups, take advantage of local government employment programs, register for re-training in a new field, and so on. It’s NEVER a mistake to invest in your own career, because the investment always pays-off in multiples.
To get back on top, it will take time, energy, discipline – and career help. Despite the pressures you may be feeling, you’ll need to stay focused on your career goals. You’ll want to keep thinking strategically, being “proactive” and not “reactive.”
If you’re willing to adopt a new attitude, shift your assumptions, step outside your comfort zone, try new behaviors, and employ new tools – you’ll be able to get the job you want, even when good jobs seem scarce. While others remain idle, convinced that there are no jobs to be had, you’ll be out there “making it happen.” Instead of passively “waiting things out,” you’ll be taking advantage of vital career resources and support. Rather than feeling helpless about your career, you’ll have a sense of empowerment and control. And you’ll land the job you really want. What a relief!
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Good Perspective for Bad Times Benefits of Using a Career Coach in a Bad Economy – Part 1 of 2
These are tough times to be sure. Just as a new President is about to be elected, the U.S. is experiencing the worst economy since the Great Depression. The stock market recently had the largest one-day drop in history. The shockwaves of the “credit crunch” are reverberating across the country and around the globe. Governments are being forced to bail-out entire industries and invest directly into financial institutions to keep them afloat. Millions of U.S. citizens can’t pay their mortgages, or are actually losing their homes. Parents can’t pay their children’s college tuition. Fortunes are being lost on Wall Street and the national debt is spiraling out of control. The job market is extremely weak, with unemployment claims and jobless rates higher than they’ve been since 2001. More than 750,000 jobs have been lost, and this number continues to rise with more layoffs and downsizings.
Previous economic downturns affected specific industries, such as technology, manufacturing or construction. But according toBusiness Week, 10/9/08, “With lending trimmed, and companies and consumers tightening their belts, jobs will be cut across broad swaths of the economy, from the tech sector to investment banking, and from manufacturing to soft drinks.” Worst of all, it seems that no one’s hiring!
The simple fact is that no one knows what’s going to happen to their jobs and careers. Everyone is concerned – even those who still have jobs. Some are terrified – especially those who have been out of work for a long while.
These reactions are understandable, and to be expected. If you’re feeling scared, depressed, lost, disoriented, anxious, helpless – you’re certainly not alone. You might even feel angry or victimized. Perhaps you’re saying things to yourself such as, “This shouldn’t be happening to me! I got a good education. I worked hard. I always did the right thing, and I don’t deserve this! I never thought I’d be in this situation. Maybe this is what OTHER people go through, but not ME!” Sound familiar? This is what I’ve been hearing from many of my career coaching clients in recent months.
In times like these, my clients need comfort and reassurance. My guess is that you do too. So, let me tell you the same things I tell my clients. If your job has been impacted by the current downturn, it’s OK to have all the feelings listed above, and any other emotions you might be experiencing. There’s nothing wrong with you, and you didn’t do anything to bring this fate upon yourself. You’re still a “good person,” and you still have all the qualities and credentials you had before. Although it may be difficult to believe right now, this tough employment situation WILL come to an end, and your career will get back on track eventually.
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Debrief After Your Interview – Part 2 of 2
How confident and relaxed were you?
How confident and relaxed were you going into the interview. How nervous were you during the interview? What could you have done differently, to reduce your anxiety about the interview?
How good was the interviewer?
Was the interviewer prepared, and did he or she manage the interview well? Did he or she describe the job requirements, listen well, and answer your questions? Did the interviewer put you at ease and establish good rapport? What kind of interviewer do you respond to most positively?
Positives vs. Negatives:
What three or four things did you do particularly well, that you want to continue doing? What three or four things did you do poorly that need to be improved for future interviews? What things did you NOT do or say, that you would like to include at future interviews?
Debriefing your interviews on a consistent basis can be challenging, because you have to evaluate your own performance – and it’s difficult to be objective. However, by reflecting on your performance in the above areas, particularly in writing, you will be focused and ready to “ace” your next round of interviews at the same company or another company!
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