Career Comeback (Book Notes)

 Last month I was reading quite a few books about seeking a new job and career path once Olivia goes to college and I no longer am needed as a homeschool mom. I read another book Career Comeback - Repackage Yourself to Get the Job You Want by Lisa Johnson Mandell. 

Much of what was in this book I have read in other books. However, there were a few new ideas in this one that are worth noting:

- Create a career mission statement. Examine the following:

- Make a list of all the things you love to do, from baking brownies to horseback riding to knitting to reading.

- Make a list of all the things you'd love to do if money or time were no object, from travel to skydiving to starting a shelter for homeless animals to mastering a musical instrument.

- Make a list of things that really make you angry - the things you'd like to change in the world or fix, from bigotry to sexism to abuse to illiteracy to pollution to poverty.

- Take those lists and connect the dots. 

- Raise your "hip" quotient by becoming familiar with current culture. There were a lot of ideas - many of which I already do. Some I don't see a purpose in doing. Others, like the ones below, are ones I could do:

- Scan at least one current culture or news blog daily (e.g., huffingtonpost.com   wowowow.com   nytimes.com   gawker.com)

- Subscribe to at least one online newsletter. Find a top website for your own particular field or profession to keep current with your industry.

- Test drive a hybrid. 

- Do at least 30 minutes of heart-pumping activity five times a week or 50 minutes 3 times a week.

- Count your blessings and focus on all the things you have rather than the things you don't have.

- In creative fields or special events planning, you want to dress for work with a little more style and sophistication. Think talk show hosts like Oprah, Tyra Banks, Kelly Ripa, etc. Express yourself with color and style.

- Take Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and Hyaluronic Acid (HA) supplements.

- Get Aging Eraser which is an antioxidant cream.

- Have a good elevator pitch which includes an introduction (your name), your profession, what needs you meet, and what makes you different from everyone else.

- Create a business card. Use VistaPrint.com.

- Get professional photos taken.

- Explore Change.org which is a nonprofit social networking site that asks what you want to change in the world, connects you with like-minded folks, and provides opportunities for work or volunteerism.

-  "Tell me about yourself" - focus on the strengths and skills you've developed that relate to that particular job. Keep the answer short and professional.

- "I see some gaps here in your job history. Tell me about them." Be honest and talk about the work skills you developed during those gaps. For example, if you were running a household, you managed complex schedules and financial issues. You developed flexibility, resourcefulness, and the ability to keep your cool while handling emergencies of all types. 

- Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. (Confucius)

Over 40 and You're Hired! (Book Notes)

Over 40 and You're Hired! by Robin Ryan is the last book that I checked out from the library about job hunting. 

There's some good advice in this book as well. Below are some things I found informative:

- You must tap into the hidden job market in order to find better job opportunities.

- Research the job market for leads.

- Cultivate your network and ask for referrals (friends - current and old, relatives, neighbors, social acquaintances, former bosses, colleagues, former coworkers, vendors, service people, college alumni, people from church).

- Schedule informational interviews.

- Write effective prospective letters.

- You must use proven ways of better self-promotion that will get a prospective employer's attention. 

- Networking is a must-use component for success.

- Your resume must be full of accomplishments and results.

- The interviewer definitely notices how contemporary your clothes are and how worn-out you look.

- At this stage in your life, you need to find work that is rewarding and satisfying. So, you must see yourself as special. Toxic negative thoughts and self-defeating talk will be a depressing detour that only drags out your job search.

- Volunteering: carefully select situations that will add value to your resume and make you more marketable. 

- Have business cards printed with your name and contact information.

- Use PDF files to send resumes to keep formating.

- A 60 Second Sell is effective because it demonstrates your strengths and illustrates how you will fill the employer's needs.

- Employers hire people who know how to produce now, with recent on-the-job success. 

- These traits are prized: creative problem solving, integrity, honesty, hard work, achieving results, self-state ability, initiative, a positive outlook and attitude, and good communication skills. 

- Be a lifelong learner.

- Read journals and the trend news for your industry. 

- Have solid computer skills. 

- If you want to take a step down, have a valid reason: wanting to change industries, preferring a job with fewer management demands, wanting to travel less, and needing greater job satisfaction.

- When applying online: use the email subject line to identify the type of job you are applying for. Send your materials from the company's own website. Put your name prominently in the resume file name. Email from your home computer. 

- Get a makeover - face/makeup and clothing. Banish anything that is too baggy or sloppy-looking. Get your teeth whitened.

- Make sure you are exercising and staying fit. 

- Know what you want: salary level, bonus structure and percentage, vacation length, medical, stock options, use of a car, laptop/phone, paid parking, retirement plans and company contributions, and training opportunities.

Currently I'm...

This is a swap for Swap-Bot called "Currently, I'm..." which I'm in. I thought it was a departure from what I've been doing recently on my blog so I signed up to do it.

Reading...a variety of books about art (photography, collage, papermaking, and book arts mostly). Also am starting to read Marlo Thomas's book called It Ain't Over Till It's Over.

Playing...unfortunately, nothing. It seems like my days are filled with volunteering for the Lions and doing what feels like "work" - updating Facebook pages, editing a website, and lots of emailing. There's more time behind the computer than what I would like. 

Watching...nature mostly. I'm loving how the flowers are blooming and there's so much color compared to even a couple of weeks ago. 

Eating...some new foods that I haven't had before. Each week, I try to make at least one new recipe. This week I have several new recipes I'm trying: Honey-Glazed Sweet Potato Fries, Asian Chicken Noodle Soup, and an Apple Cider Vinaigrette. We get our first CSA box tomorrow and there will be a lot of lettuce in it, so I'm excited to try a new vinaigrette.  

Drinking...lots of water. Every day I try to drink between 3-4 bottles of water (24 ounces each). 

Crafting...I'm taking a mixed media sketchbook course through the Minnesota Center for Book Arts. I thought I'd really enjoy it looking at the photo that accompanied the course description. For some reason, it's just not resonating with me. I haven't been that happy with the pages I've been creating. 

I also started a photography course (9-week course) that I began and did for about four weeks and then stopped. It wasn't what I thought it would be, and the instructor was off conducting other in-person classes so he wasn't providing much, if any, online feedback. The other students seemed to know one another. So, I thought I'd download the information and do the course on my own at my own pace. 

Tomorrow, I have an eco-printing on fabric class and a European papermaking course I'm taking. Both are through the Minnesota Center for Book Arts and are online.  

Swapping...doing electronic swaps only since postage is so much these days. 

Going to...do errands today (post office, bank, Walmart), take Olivia to the oral surgeon for a pre-op appointment to get her lower wisdom teeth out (she doesn't have upper wisdom teeth), and meet with the director of a local history museum who hired me to do proposal writing for a grant they hope to get. 

Craving...a rootbeer float for some reason. I haven't drank pop since January 1st of this year. Maybe that's the reason. 

Loving...the peacefulness of mornings when things are quiet before everyone wakes up. 

Hating...mosquitoes and horseflies which seem to be around every time I go outside. 

Thinking...about what in the world I'm going to do career-wise once Olivia goes to college. I have no idea what direction to go or what to do as I re-enter the workforce in my mid-50s after being a homeschool mom since my mid-30s. 

(As a side note, the photo below is of my mom, Sophia, and Olivia touching a Picasso sculpture at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in May 2013. We were able to do a "touch/tactile tour" of the museum because my mom was legally blind. Touch was her only way to be able to enjoy the artwork.)

Planning...for many upcoming service events for the Lions. It's the club's 40th anniversary and I would like to see 40 service activities done and 40 new members added during the upcoming year.  

Smelling...nothing right now. I am remembering how beautifully-fragrant the roses and peonies are that are blooming in our front yard. 

  

Listening to...the fan try to cool the bedroom which has to feel like 80 degrees. This is the hottest room in the home during the summer and coldest room during the winter. It used to be an attic and I don't think it has adequate insulation.

Wanting to buy...a second (used) car to help with getting everyone to where they need to be. It has been a challenge with the girls' activities and needing to get to multiple places on the same day.

The Ultimate Side Hustle Book - 450 Moneymaking Ideas for the Gig Economy

 A recent book I browsed through was The Ultimate Side Hustle Book - 450 Moneymaking Ideas for the Gig Economy by Elana Varon. As I'm trying to think of ways to earn money when Olivia begins college, I'm looking at some side hustle books. This one had quite a few ideas that sound intriguing and worth exploring. 

The ones I'm most interested in or intrigue me are:

- Arts or Crafts Teacher - teach art or craft classes to adults or children. Need experience with the medium or method you are teaching, a teaching degree or certification if teaching at a school. Teachers charge students for materials, but for photography courses, students bring their own equipment. Can offer private lessons to groups or individuals. Promote lessons on social media. Teach through adult education programs. Charge per student - about $60 or more for an hour lesson. Earnings depend on what is left after your expenses.

- Lesson Plan Creator - sell your lesson plans and teaching materials to other teachers. Post materials to online marketplaces where teachers sell lesson plans and materials. Set your own rates for materials. Sites take a cut plus may require membership. Prices range from less than $1 to $15 or more.

- Baker - sell baked goods, such as cookies. Need to be able to bake plus comply with state and local cottage food laws. May be able to sell your products from your home. Customers and social media generate orders. Set up a booth at the local farmers' markets or events. Sell through local stores. Price your products to cover your costs and time.

- Fiber Artist - make woven clothing, accessories, or home goods. Need to be good-quality items. Need yarns and equipment. Sell online, farmers' or crafts markets, or in stores. Use social media to market your work. Cover your costs and pay yourself for your time. Craft artists make an average of $19 per hour.

- Personal Chef - cook meals for clients in their homes. Know how to cook nutritious everyday meals. Professional training can help you get started. Get friends and customers who have had your cooking spread the word. Network with friends on social media to promote your services and meet potential customers. Private chefs can earn $30 per hour or more. 

- Photographer - Event or Portrait - photograph weddings, individuals, families, children, or pets. Need artistic ability, experience capturing individual personalities and group relationships, and ability to create rapport with reluctant subjects. Having a portfolio enables you to showcase your abilities. Need a camera, lenses, and related equipment. Just as with the above side hustles, social media, friends, and customers seem the best way to get leads. Event photographers can charge $100 or more per hour and wedding photographers get $2,000 on the average per event. Portrait photographers earn about $20 per hour.

- Photographer - Prints - shoot images to sell as artwork. Know how to compose, shoot, and edit photos. Hospitals, libraries, and places of worship may show work for sale by local artists. Galleries and art shows are other options. Cover your costs and time plus whatever fee a gallery or shop takes out. Average pay is about $20 per hour.

- Social Media Marketer - write social media posts for companies, interact with followers, and manage social media accounts. Need writing, digital marketing experience, a social media presence, and knowledge of social media metrics. Need a computer, smartphone, and reliable internet service. Join an online freelance platform, network with colleagues, and promote your services on social media. Pay ranges from $10 to $50+ per hour.

- Event Planner - plan and organize conferences, lectures, or social events. Bring an event concept to fruition. Develop and work within a budget. Coordinate vendors such as caterers, florists, speakers, and entertainers. Start by planning small, social, community, or business events. Network with people you know, promote your services on social media, and get referrals from people who have attended events you planned. Earn about $25 per hour.

- Home Organizer - help people arrange their space and reduce clutter. Have experience organizing closets, drawers, and living spaces. Take classes to improve your skills. Do projects for your friends and use social media. Pay ranges from $40-$200 per hour, depending on your experience and location. 

- Party Planner - plan and organize parties, such as birthdays and special occasions. Identify a niche theme - children's birthday parties, baby showers, spa treatments. Need equipment and supplies. Can earn anywhere from $250 to $2,000 depending on the type of event and number of guests.

- Slide Presentation Designer - create presentation slide decks. Have design ability, business, marketing, or industry knowledge; storytelling ability; and expertise using PowerPoint. Leads - start-up companies that need a library of slide decks for presenting to funders and customers. Rates vary. For formatting and basic editing, it may be less than $20 per hour. Someone with proven storytelling and design skills can charge $100 per hour and up. 

- Balloon Twister - make balloon sculptures on-demand at parties or events, or create balloon art as party decorations. Know the craft. Friends, neighbors, colleagues, and neighborhood or community groups can be sources of work. About $100 per hour is common or by the piece.

- Food Tour Guide - take groups to visit local restaurants and food shops to teach them about local specialities or a type of cuisine. Know the food and establish relationships with local restaurants and food shop owners. Some cities require tour guides to have a license. Network with hotel concierges, restaurant managers, specialty food shops, and travel agents. Give free tours to generate word-of-mouth referrals and social media posts. List your tours on travel and food business review sites. Guides who work for tour companies earn about $13 per hour. Earnings are higher for independent guides. If you charge $25 per person for a two-hour tour, you'll make $50 per hour with a family of four. 

- Mock Juror - give only survey feedback to attorneys about their cases before trial. Have to meet minimum requirements. Sign up on a mock jury site. This one has multiple sites listed. Jurors are paid $10-$50, depending on the site.