Ready for your Encore 4 Must-Know Resources

Ready for your Encore 4 Must-Know Resources Helping people is harder than it looks. And yet, every now and then, if you’re willing to take a risk, you can have a truly transformative impact in ways that will continue to ripple out to other people.   Nick Kristof, Pulitzer prize winning journalist and co-author of the newly released book, A Path Appears, speaking during the closing keynote of Encore 2014: Building an Encore Nation. I just returned from the Encore 2014 conference,  and without a doubt, it was the single best conference I have ever attended three days of inspiration and unparalleled networking opportunities. For those of you unfamiliar with Encore.org, it is an organization and movement dedicated to second acts for the greater good and the belief that post-midlife is a time to use one’s personal skills and experience to help others. Ill be writing more about the conference on Next Avenue later this month, but in the meantime, being at the conference reminded me to share some of the many  helpful Encore resources that you can use to plan your own purpose-focused second act.  Here are four of my favorites: 1. Looking for inspiration for your encore?  One of the highlights of the conference was the Purpose Prize ceremony which recognizes people over 60 who  are using their energy, passion and experience to improve the lives of people in their communities and around the globe. These short video profiles of the Encore Purpose Prize winners  will amaze and inspire you.  Make the time to watch I promise youll be glad you did. 2. Want to train for an encore career?  Encore.org has partnered wtih 40 community colleges to offer encore career programs in education, health care, social services and the environment for adults over 50. Some colleges train students for specific encore roles, such as adjunct nursing instructors and elementary school teachers, while others offer programs designed to help boomers explore encore career possibilities. Here is a link to the colleges page of the Encore site. 3. Want to explore local encore opportunities and support groups?  As interest in encore careers grows, individuals and organizations are creating encore programs at the state and local levels. These programs range from the occasional support session to comprehensive services including job preparation and placement, life planning and peer networks for encore career seekers. To learn more  click here. 4. Interested in securing an encore career fellowship?  Encore Fellowships are paid, yearlong positions for people who want to shift from midlife careers to encore careers. While you work, youll earn a stipend, learn about social-purpose work, and develop a new network of contacts and resources for the future.  To date, the  Encore Fellowship Network  program has placed Fellows at more than 200 nonprofits. Finally, if youre not quite sure what you need, just go on over to the main Encore.org site  where youll find  hundreds of useful resources, ideas and articles. Related articles that you might also enjoy: Reinvention Resources: Non-Profit Careers 100 Great Second-Act Career Resources

Infographic The Perfect Social Media Resume

Infographic The Perfect Social Media Resume There is this constant debate of whether recruitment is staying traditional or going mainstream. We dont have an answer to that, but graduates are definitely going social with their resumes. There are more than ever online CV sites and more and more students are approaching the jobs through social networks. But how does one craft the perfect social media resume? Well, thanks to JobAdvisor, we might just have found the A-Z of crafting a perfect social media resume through the infographic below. There is no surprise that most of the points and topics on social resumes also hold true of crafting a perfect traditional CV. We know its a certainly long infographic, but if you found it useful or interesting, please use the sharing buttons to the side of this page. Time for some social love? 402

How a Career Counselor Can Help You Find the Right Professional Path

How a Career Counselor Can Help You Find the Right Professional Path Although the unemployment rate is on the decline, that’s not always good news for job seekers. Approximately 159.19 million people were in the US civilian labor force during 2016 and since then, the number of workers has only grown. During the past year, approximately 2.1 million people entered the American workforce in search of gainful employment. Despite that, the Washington, DC area added 20,300 jobs during the 2017 to 2018 period, and there are countless people who are still out of work â€"  or who are eager to change careers. In todays economy, it’s hard enough to find any job. But finding a job you actually enjoy may feel like a completely impossible task. While recruiters certainly have their perks and can help you make connections with organizations, a career counselor can help to illuminate your goals even more clearly and guide you through the beginning stages of this new professional venture. What is career counseling? Let’s first discuss what career counseling actually is. This discipline essentially combines psychotherapy principles and counseling techniques in a setting that’s focused on providing productive exploration and guidance to those who need career development, professional shifts, and employment options. It’s a professional service that can allow a job seeker to more adequately choose, change, or even leave a career with help from a qualified, licensed therapist. Whether you require help choosing a career path right out of high school or college or wish to make a complete career transition in middle age, career counselors can provide some much-needed guidance throughout any stage of employment. Even if you’re taking advantage of every connection and skill you have, finding a job can take months. Some experts estimate that you’ll likely spend one month searching for every $10,000 you want to take home in your paycheck. And while getting hired when you’re young is hard enough, it can be even tougher if youre attempting to completely switch career paths later in life or if youve been out of the workforce for an extended period for whatever reason. How can a career counselor assist you? Let’s face it: the process of finding a job can be overwhelming and exhausting, especially if you feel like you’re in over your head. But a career counselor can help you through virtually every step of this process, from identifying potential interest areas, better understanding your ideal position, to highlighting your skills and experience on your resume. First, a career counselor can help you identify the possible career options available to you. If you need help narrowing down the list of potential avenues or could benefit from a bit more versatility in your search, your counselor can help you focus on those areas. He or she can also determine what you already do well and what you might need to work on. Your counselor may have you take a variety of aptitude and personality tests to determine the kinds of jobs that will be the best fit for you. Not only can this give you a clearer picture of the types of positions for which you’ll want to apply, but it can also offer some valuable information about how to turn the negatives into positives when interviewing or when furthering your skillset. Career Goals Your career counselor can also help you to set some attainable professional goals. Because the job hunting process can be anxiety-provoking, it can be difficult to even recognize the right actions to take (and the order in which to take them) to further your career. It may help immensely to have a knowledgeable outside perspective here. Your counselor can assist you in creating an action plan of both short-term and long-term goals so you can make professional progress and informed decisions pertaining to your career. If you’re someone who needs a little push to move forward in your career, it may be helpful to you to be accountable not only to yourself but to your counselor as well. A career counselor can also offer branding advice. If you want to be a successful professional in any industry, you need to learn how to market yourself properly. This will allow you to find your unique voice in the professional realm and show potential employers exactly what you’ll bring to the table. You can also utilize this branding concept to ensure your resume, cover letters, and professional website and headshots stand out for all the right reasons. Helping you grow professionally Finally, don’t overlook the fact that a career counselor can offer valuable emotional support during a difficult transition. Being able to talk through the challenges associated with applications and interviewing can make the process seem a lot less daunting. Although you may have a support system of your own, it may help to have someone in your life devoted to discussing your career-related challenges and triumphs. Best of all, he or she will be there just for you. You won’t have to feel guilty about taking up their time or feel foolish for not having all the answers. If you’re feeling stuck, confused, or uncertain with your current employment situation, you certainly aren’t alone. But you don’t have to struggle without help. Your counselor will bring a wealth of experience to these sessions.   This can improve your confidence and help inform your decisions throughout your professional career.