"What If..." Ideal Career Blog by Maggie Mistal

My Blog has moved to MaggieMistal.com!

2009-09-30T18:51:00.004-04:00

As of September 1st, 2009, this "What If" career advice blog has moved to my new and improved website offering career coaching, free how-to career advice videos, and of course my weekly career tips blog. Please join me there now for my latest blog posts!

Change always comes bearing gifts. ~Price Pritchett

A New Approach To Your Dream Job

2009-08-05T19:28:00.003-04:00

Today's job market is anything but stable. In order to manage your career effectively you need to allow for change and be ready to take advantage of the opportunities in a dynamic economy. To do that takes a new approach to figuring out your dream job - one that , according to author Dr. Katherine Brooks, involves Chaos theory and "Wise Wanderings". Here are the highlights from my interview with Dr. Brooks last week on Making a Living regarding her new book, "You Majored in What?":

--Change is constant. We have seen the pace of change quicken in our careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average people are changing jobs an upwards of 8 times. Rather than react to change, it's important to adapt and plan for changes to come. For Dr. Brooks, Director of Liberal Arts Career Services at the University of Texas at Austin, Chaos theory is a better way of managing your career because it assumes change is a constant. It also helps you see the underlying order in chaos, even if it's not immediately apparent. Chaos theory is used to predict the weather and it can be use to predict your best career path. To do that, you have to be willing to do some wandering.
--Wandering to a wiser career path. According to Dr. Brooks, your past experiences can point to important threads or themes in your career. By writing down all of the different, interesting or significant things you've done and experienced, you can identify basic categories of your ideal career. Without organizing them, the goal is to capture proud moments, valuable life lessons, unique jobs, awards and unusual experiences that you've had both in and outside of work throughout your life. Then group these significant things that you've done or have had happen to you. For me, I wandered back through my past and identified that Career, Media, Coaching and Change were recurring themes. I had been wandering along a path of sorts all along even before formalizing my experience into the career coaching and radio hosting career I have today.
--Make the connection to your dream job. Dr. Brooks recommends that once you've identified your themes and skills, it's important to brainstorm how your skills might be of interest to an employer (or a customer if you have your own business). This is especially important for college students whose majors might not translate directly into a corporate job. For example, if you have a degree in history, you can study the history of the company you are interviewing for and point out key trends, goals and opportunities based on the lessons learned in your history courses.

Overall, we cannot expect that we will work in one industry for one employer in one line of work. That doesn't mean your career has to be chaotic. Rather your career can present a chance for you to learn and grow in new ways as evidenced by one of my favorite quotes - "Change always comes bearing gifts" (Price Prichett). What gifts can change bring for you?

Finding Joy In Your Career is Not a Luxury

2009-07-31T15:31:00.004-04:00

Spending time doing what you love is not a luxury, it's a necessity. It's how the best in their fields got to where they are today -- just ask Deepak Chopra. I did. I interviewed him on Making a Living and he fervently said he will NOT do an activity if it doesn't bring him JOY. Think it's too risky or unrealistic for you to do the same? Think again.

If you truly want success, if you want to reach the heights of your potential, can you really afford to waste precious time on activities that suck the life out of you? You can make conscious choices and better focus your efforts. To help, here are some productivity tips from another guest on my show, Mitzi Weinman, founder of TimeFinder.net.

Don't just plan, anticipate.
Planning your day with a classic to do list is good but if you want to be most productive, you need to anticipate what could pop-up. For instance, for every meeting on your calendar, plan time before for preparation and after for follow-up. Unplanned tasks may land on your plate and if you leave space for them, you won't feel stretched for time.

Work from top to lowest priority.
If you get the most important tasks out of the way early in your day, you'll not only feel more accomplished, but also more comfortable leaving the office at day's end.

Schedule meetings later in the day.
Meetings can be productive but that time is best spent later in the day according to Mitzi. She recommends using your energy wisely by setting aside morning time for strategic or creative activities that require a lot of thought.

Is there a smart way you manage email, a busy schedule and family demands? Share your comments below and call Making a Living (866-675-6675) every Wednesday at 4 pm EST/1 pm PST. The career hotline is always open to discuss whatever career dilemma, goal or idea you want to discuss.

Tune in this Sunday 6am EST for a replay of Making a Living on SIRIUS 112 and XM 157. Try SIRIUS XM free!-- I give advice on standing out from the crowd in a competitive job market -- especially important for recent college graduates!

Journey Inside the Mind of a Career Coach

2009-07-27T22:26:00.008-04:00

Recently I was featured on the Personal Branding Blog by Dan Schawbel - a great resource for tips on becoming known for your passion and expertise.

Dan interviewed me about career coaching, from the qualifications you need, to what makes a successful career coach, to how to keep your brand name out there and get new clients.

Read my interview on the Personal Branding Blog

For more branding tips and to ask your career questions, tune into my segment on Living Today with Mario Bosquez - Tuesdays at 3:30pm EST on SIRIUS 112 and XM 157. Call in at 1-866-675-6675. Free 7-Day Trial of SIRIUS!

What do you want to be known for? How are you branding yourself? What tools and resources have worked for your marketing strategy? Share your comments below.

Work Life Balance Reality Check

2009-07-21T22:28:00.003-04:00

It seems there's always a reason to be busy. When the economy is good, we're busy because there's too much work coming in. When the economy is bad, we're busy because we have to do more with less. Even the actual word business implies that to be productive we have to always be busy (i.e. "busy-ness"). Is there any room for work life balance in this busy work world we've created?

For that answer and a reality check on the state of work life balance in the current economy, I interviewed work life expert Cali Williams Yost this week on Making a Living. According to a recent study conducted by Work+Life Fit, Inc., work life flexibility survives and is here to stay as employers surveyed continue to give access to flexible work options the same amount or more than they have in the past.

So flexibility exists, the question is how do you get it? To answer that question, Cali and I discussed some key steps.

--Take Ownership of Your Schedule. Most people would have better work life balance if they made more conscious decisions about where they are spending their time. Cali suggests putting down all of your work and personal commitments into one calendar so you can truly see what you've committed to. Once you know where your time is going, you can be more conscious about spending time on top priority work and personal activities.
--Be Proactive. If you want a flexible work arrangement, its best if you go to your boss with options. Most managers are too busy themselves to focus on how to best manage your work/life. You know your job best so come up with a better, faster or cheaper way to get work done in a way that fits your flexible schedule and your boss will be more apt to say yes.
--Think Fit not Balance. Cali is famous for revolutionizing the way we look at work and life. She says that balance presents an all or nothing approach that is unrealistic for most people. She recommends instead to focus on finding the right fit between work and life that suits your needs not some 50/50 standard.

There's more to making a great living than just being busy. In fact, if it's not about being busy at all. It's about making conscious choices about how you spend your work and personal time so you are always doing what's most important to you!

For more work life tips join me for the next Making a Living with Maggie on Wednesday at 4pm EST. I'll be talking about ways you can be most productive and work smarter not harder.

An Easier Way to Land Your Next Job

2009-07-10T14:35:00.003-04:00

Landing your next great opportunity doesn't need to involve an endless array of resume revisions, phone screens and interviews.

There is an easier quicker way using less official channels and Marci Alboher was on Making a Living with Maggie this week to share her insights on this back door approach. According to Marci, a regular New York Times Contributor and Author of Working the New Economy blog, some of the best job opportunities are landed through contacts made at social events where people share a common interest whether that be kayaking or poker. Because the activity isn't work related, it gives people a chance to get to know each other's interpersonal style which is key part of working well together.

Marci also stressed how important it is to become visible to your network for what you do best. To do that she suggested proactively looking for ways to help the people in your network using your expertise. For instance if you're a graphic designer and learn about a friend's new business venture, offer to help with some of the organization's marketing materials. It's an easy way to demonstrate your abilities to someone who could be in a position to hire you at some point. One word of caution, it "takes a longer courtship" as Marci puts it, to land a job in through unofficial channels. But considering that Marci landed a New York Times column through a monthly poker group of other journalists, it sounds like time well spent.

For a replay of Making a Living with Maggie, tune in this Sunday at 6am EST. Use this FREE trial of SIRIUS Radio!

You'll also hear a very inspiring day in the life interview with Laura Howard. A former entertainment executive, Laura decided to combine her passion for food with her work and is now a very successful ice cream entrepreneur and founder of Laloo's Goat Milk Ice Cream.

Here's to you Making a Great Living!

Leadership 101 - Are you ready to be in charge?

2009-07-06T21:21:00.007-04:00

Power and authority have a bad connotation. Because of that many people shy away from taking charge at work. But what about servant leadership - being in charge as a way to be of tremendous service to people. It's not a concept I created but one I'm educating my clients and radio listeners about.

Just last week, I had leadership experts Gail Steinel and Mike Policano on "Making a Living with Maggie" talking about their book, Excuse Me, Aren't YOU in Charge? These two are not just theorists. Gail in fact was a pioneer for women leadership in the consulting industry, recognized twice by Consulting Magazine as a Top 25 Consultant. I experienced Gail's leadership firsthand - when she was head of Arthur Andersen's Business Consulting Practice where I was an employee.

Here's what I learned from Gail about being a great leader:
--Be accessible. - Gail is the type of leader who remembered your name and would stop and talk to you in the hallway. She was never too busy to make time for her employees.
--Support your people's ideas and passions. - In their book, Gail mentions one particular leadership experience that stuck with me - where she supported an employee who wanted to build a new recruiting strategy. Gail encouraged the employee to get involved and the young woman ended up winning an employee-of-the-year award.
--Be honest. - I saw Gail lead during Andersen's best times and it's demise with the Enron debacle. She was always upfront with honest answers and I always felt I could trust her. For leaders today this is perhaps the biggest lesson - be someone your people can really trust and your best employees will always stick with you.

Find out more about leadership 101 on Gail and Mike's blog! And share your greatest leadership moments here - what's the best quality you've seen in a leader? Do you consider yourself to be a servant leader?

And tune into Making a Living with Maggie this Wed, 4pm EST. I'll share ways to be at your best and ready for an accidental interview! Not sure what I mean, tune in with this free 7-day SIRIUS trial!

Working with People in Their Dream Jobs

2009-07-01T17:58:00.004-04:00

When you work with passionate people, you get better results! People who are in their ideal careers are more motivated, more innovative and more fun than people just in a job for a paycheck.

If you need further convincing, check out my latest post on MarthaStewart.com on the Radio Blog! You'll get the see the amazing work of two of my career coaching clients - Designer Trisha Ginter and Photographer Ann Wilkinson and my travel writer husband Craig (also pursuing his ideal career.)

Every customer, every recruiter, every employer wants to hire people who are in their ideal careers. It's the best way to create lasting job security and Trisha, Ann and Craig are all great examples. Hope you enjoy reading it and Happy 4th of July!

What do you think? Do you agree that if you follow your passion, success will follow you? Post your comments and experiences working with talented people!

Leaving a Legacy Thru Your Career - Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson

2009-06-28T11:00:00.007-04:00

Just turn on the TV or the computer and you will see countless stories, articles and comments on the passings this week of Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson.

I've heard several people ask, "Why do we get so impacted by people we didn't really know?" To me, it's because we take it personally. Seeing their passing makes us once again realize that someday we too will pass. This is tough to swallow especially for people who aren't living life the way they want.

I often see this as a career coach. People seek out my services at key moments in their lives - like a milestone birthday. They are frustrated because their life and career is not as far along or as fulfilling as they thought it would be. The good news is that these people reach out to me because they are ready to take action with their careers - choosing to no longer be passive recipients of what happens but defining and going after what they truly want.

If there's a shared legacy that Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon and Michael Jackson leave - it's that they were tireless in creating the careers they wanted. No one sought them out to offer them lives of fame and riches. In fact, if you read the biographies of these individuals you will see that it was their hard work and dedication that made them the icons we miss today.

If you're feeling impact from the passing of these talented people, perhaps it's because it's time for you to fully express your own talents. Think about it and I'll leave you with a sentiment. It's from one of my favorite dream the impossible dream stories, Man of La Mancha so that you too can take action to further define your own legacy, "It's not why did he [or she] die, but why did he [or she] live."

What is your impossible dream? Are you living it? Share your comments here - studies have show that by writing down what you want and putting it out there, you increase your chances of success by 10 times. Now let's hear it!

A Fun Side to Unemployment?

2009-06-08T12:06:00.004-04:00

My previous post about travel being good for your career sparked me to do additional research on the topic. Interestingly I came across a related phenomenon -"Funemployment." According to a recent article on SFWeekly.com, some of the jobless in San Francisco are actually viewing unemployment as an opportunity to volunteer, travel, freelance and consider career shifts. (Notably these are folks who have savings and/or severance who did not get caught up in the real estate crisis.)

Alexis Mansinne, profiled in the article, had been an event planner for Dwell magazine until she was laid-off. Though shocked by her pink slip, Ms. Mansinne decided to take a refreshing perspective on her situation (helped by the 50 weeks of unemployment benefits she was about to receive) and see it as a chance to take a more "socially redeeming career path". She started a blog (Funemployment.blogspot.com) to share her thoughts on how to take advantage of being unemployed and has since decided to go back to school to become a school guidance counselor.

The article also mentions another interesting blog, Unemploymentality.com and one of it's founders, Tania Khadder who's quoted as saying, "Being unemployed, took my attention, which was spread over a lot of different things, and gave it focus. In a way, it derailed my financial plan. But it accelerated my professional plan." Ms. Khadder's plan is to attend graduate school focused on public policy.

I realize that no one wishes to be unemployed and that many are struggling to pay for even basic expenses even with unemployment checks. For those however who do have the means to invest in themselves and their futures careerwise, many are having fun exploring their interests, talents and passions. Share your thoughts on the upside to unemployment - positive perspectives welcome!

Travel to Boost Your Career

2009-06-01T09:05:00.002-04:00

Is it a good or bad idea to take a trip after you've been laid-off? Some people think it's a great mental health break while others think it's a foolish waste of resources. Weigh in and share your comments below. Read on for both sides of the argument and to see where I stand:

Bad Idea: Sit Tight and Save Up VS. Great Idea: Take Time Out to Travel

Share your comments on whether traveling is a smart move after a layoff and why you think that way. And tune into my career talk radio show this month for my interview with journalist Melanie Nayer on the benefits of a travel sabbatical in between jobs!

Career Advice for Business Owners (from NY Times Best Selling Author Christine Comaford)

2009-05-25T09:05:00.002-04:00

Earlier this year, I interviewed Christine Comaford, author of Rules for Renegades on my radio show about building a mighty venture. Christine has consulted to the White House, 700 of the Fortune 1000, and over 100 small businesses. She has neither a high school diploma nor college degree but she has built and sold five of her own businesses and served as a board director or in-the-trenches advisor to 36 startups.

Here are her key tips on one business building killer: Lack of Reliable Revenue.

Not having reliable revenue systems spells death to more businesses than I could count in a lifetime. To begin with, it totally drains you of much-needed energy and kills your creativity day after day. When it comes to growing your business, CASH IS KING, and the best way to generate cash for your business FAST is by generating profitable SALES. To increase your sales, you need to learn to disqualify sales leads.

Here’s the 1-2-3 for creating healthier leads.

1. Set your objective for prospecting. Shifting your objective from getting the appointment to determining whether the prospect qualifies for an appointment is key. Next, eliminate your fear of rejection; it’s easier to do this when you aren’t begging for sales meetings. Instead of begging for meetings, identify your target prospects using specifics, such as price point, budgets, decision-making ability and schedules. Only make appointments with prospects who need, want, and can afford what you are selling and are willing to buy from you now.

2. Start separating real leads from unlikely ones. This type of prospecting is essentially a practice of sorting and identifying by talking to as many people as you can in the shortest amount of time. This involves learning how to disqualify a low probability prospect and maintain control of the interaction. Remember, whoever asks the questions is in control. Here are a few key reminders to keep in mind when you make calls: A) I work with high probability prospects only. I disqualify everyone else. B) “No” is just as good as “yes.” C) When in doubt, I disqualify.

3. Stay focused. Fear is what keeps most of us chasing sales leads that we know aren’t high probability. Here are three ways to stay on track and further cement this learning into your sales process. A) You are training prospects when you disqualify them. B) Deal with discomfort by acknowledging it and pushing through it anyway. C) Remind yourself often that this is the disqualification game.

Remember, you have no power to make a high probability prospect. You do have the power to disqualify – and THAT is the key to creating a healthier list of prospects, clients, and ultimately the future of your successful and well-financed business.

Thanks Christine! For more on this subject, Visit the "Resources" section of her Mighty Ventures Web site for free financing, sales, marketing, and operational documents, templates, and white papers and see Christine's Results Now Webinar.

Have a business you need to build revenue for? Share your challenges here and success stories too. Being your own boss is a dream for many, let's make it a reality! Looking forward to your comments.

Maximizing Results with a Career Coach

2009-05-20T15:28:00.000-04:00

I am honored to write this guest blog for my Career Coach Maggie Mistal. I have been inspired and motivated by Maggie throughout the coaching process. The experience has been extremely valuable in helping me launch LSR Coaching and Consulting, LLC in only a few months after leaving my corporate career. The accelerated timing is due entirely to my coaching with Maggie.

If you are considering hiring a career coach, there are a few things you need to keep in mind:
• First, you need to hire a qualified coach. Maggie is an excellent example and offers a complimentary consultation to determine if she is the right fit for you.
• Second, be prepared to work hard. A career coach will guide you and will have discovery exercises to help you. The experience is only valuable, however, if you complete the exercises and really put your self into the work entailed.
• Third, be creative in the ways you “try on” a new career. Be prepared to network and research your career interests. With my new business, networking is an important aspect of my marketing plan. I wish I would have started networking years ago because it would have made getting started much easier. It is never too late to start though! I started networking about four months ago and recently conducted a well received mini-workshop at one of my networking meetings. There are many ways to network such as Chambers of Commerce, groups for your profession, Toastmasters, economic clubs, etc. Try various avenues to see what is most comfortable for you.

Through my coaching with Maggie, I realized my dream of starting an attention coaching business shortly after taking a voluntary buy-out from the automotive industry. My business is in a relatively new field that coaches people to overcome challenges associate with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention Deficit Disorder although someone doesn’t need a diagnosis to benefit. Clients have been motivated to improve academic performance and develop time-saving routines at home among other results. To learn more, visit me at www.MyAttentionCoach.com.

Thanks Laura! And share what results you'd like to see materialize more quickly in your own career! Is there a business you'd like to start? Are you thinking about coaching as a career? What strategies have worked for you to get faster results in reaching your career goals?

Career Advice for Working Moms

2009-05-05T23:27:00.003-04:00

According to Harvard Business Publishing, 75% of women of child-bearing age (24 to 44) have a job or want one. As a career coach, I help many moms work smarter not harder. Use these simple strategies to keep your career on track while still being a super mom:

1. Keep networking. With all the demands on their time, most moms find they network less and less. By losing touch with your company or your industry you run the risk of missing out on opportunities. Instead, resolve to attend a minimum of 3 networking events a year and choose wisely. High profile events, industry-wide events and company events are great. Don’t forget your child’s games and practices too. Learn what other moms and dads do for a living and share contacts. Your next great career connection might be closer than you think.

2. Advocate for yourself. The fastest climbers up the corporate ladder are not the ones who do the most work. Rather they work strategically, focusing on work that impacts the bottom-line and gets them noticed. Whether you’re VP or mailroom clerk, you have the chance to make a difference. Don’t just do what you’re told. Come up with new ideas and strategies to get work done and save the company money. And let the higher-ups know about it when you catch them in the elevator.

3. Delegate. Getting it done right doesn't always mean doing it yourself. In fact, if you want to get more done in less time you need to delegate effectively. That means finding resources who are qualified, whom you can train to do work for you. Interns are a great option. They are eager to learn and don’t mind doing a lot of different tasks. But always make sure to have the delegatee repeat back the assignment; that way you can avoid any miscommunication and ensure the assignment is done right.

For Moms returning to work, check out my recent video on How to Rejoin the Workforce After a Break from Motherhood.

And if you have a working Mom you'd like to thank, share your comments here. I thank my Mom for showing me how to make a great living doing what you love. You see, she went to medical school after having 3 kids and with the support of my Dad and grandparents, achieved her dream too. Tell me about your Mom and what she taught you about having a great life and career. Happy Mother's Day!

Don't Wait Too Long to Follow Your Dreams

2009-04-28T18:30:00.000-04:00

This weekend I sang my heart out off-Broadway in NYC. The show, entitled "Follow Your Dreams" included me singing jazz classics - each with an inspirational message, as well as a mini-workshop where the emcee took the audience through a fun, interactive dream building session. All of this backed up by a fabulous trio of musicians on bass, piano and trumpet. To check out the bass and trumpet player, visit The Jazz Conceptions Orchestra.

As part of my "walk the talk" philosophy, it's been important to not only tell others to go after their dreams but to be an example myself. I am happy to report that many said it was my best performance yet! I've also made it a point to have others in the show who are walking examples of living the dream. This includes the band as well as the emcee for the show, Craig.

A former financial services consultant, Craig was laid-off in January. For some, losing a job is a negative but for Craig it has been a blessing in disguise. (It was for me too - read my layoff into a positive story.) Resident travel writer for RealHoboken.com for the past 3 years, Craig traveled the world with consulting and published many of his travel adventures. Now with 20 stories in his portfolio, Craig is taking a chance on his dream of becoming a full-time writer.

First he started by taking a Vocation Vacation where he spent two intense days being mentored by a professional travel writer. Next he put himself "out there" as a writer by appearing on Fox & Friends for a career change segment. He also took me up on an offer of career coaching, writing out his day-in-the-life vision as a professional writer. Now four months later, Craig's dream career is becoming reality. He is writing for travel and cultural blogs as well as pursuing several ghost writing opportunities. He has room to grow to get back to his Wall Street level salary but he's excited to use this time to invest in his dream career.

One of the songs I sang in the show was made famous by Madeleine Peyroux, called Don't Wait Too Long. It says, "Take a chance, play your part!" Well Craig is not only taking a chance on his career, he is also playing his part in inspiring others. Thank you for walking the talk Craig!

If you've taken a chance on a new career, share it here. How did you do it? It's okay if you're not there yet. Just share what part you would most like to play in life and career. Don't Wait Too Long because "time can slip away."

It's Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams

2009-04-19T14:57:00.005-04:00

Have you ever felt uninspired? Have you ever thought about passion and purpose only to feel as if you don't really have much of either? If so, you are definitely not alone. Many of my clients come to me for help uncovering their true aspirations. (To read my article on Finding Your Purpose, click here.)

The key is to recognize that 1) you DEFINITELY do have passion and purpose. It may only be a a little burning pilot light but deep within you there is a knowing of who you are and what you're in this life to become. And 2) sometimes you need a spark to fan that flame into a beautiful, blazing fire.

For me that pilot light was burning for my desire to sing. I love helping people with careers but part of me always dreamt of being a singer. I never thought it was something I could make a living at so I didn't sing at all. Until recently.

About 2 years ago, a colleague was coaching me about writing and said, "You should take a writing class." Immediately a thought sprang to mind from deep within, "If you're going to take a writing class, you have to take a singing class FIRST. You want to be a singer not a writer." It was an epiphany!

I immediately started surfing the web to find a singing coach but there were so many options, I didn't know which to choose. I emailed a contact I had met at SIRIUS XM who was a career opera singer for recommendations. Coincidentally, she gave voice lessons and also needed some career coaching, so we set up a barter.

It was as if my little pilot light of a dream had sparked into a flame! I started taking lessons and after about a year and a half of building my skills and confidence, I was ready for my first cabaret show. That was last July. To see a clip, click here.

That show was one of the scariest and most rewarding things I've ever done. I'm also convinced it sparked many other great opportunities in my career. After my first cabaret show I was asked to do more career talk radio on SIRIUS XM. To tune into for free to my weekly radio show, click here. And after my second show in October of last year, I was asked to make my first appearance on CNN as a career expert. To see a clip, click here.

Now this coming Saturday, April 25th from 4-5pm I'm putting on my Follow Your Dreams cabaret once again. I've been blessed with a fabulous trio of musicians trained at none other than Juilliard! All the songs I sing have an inspirational message and you even get the chance to think about and share your own dreams as part of the show. To learn more, click here.

I recently saw an off-Broadway show on the life of the "first lady of song" Ella Fitzgerald. Seeing that show inspired me and fanned the flames even more. It's my hope that if you're in need of a little inspiration, that you'll join me next Saturday at Don't Tell Mama in NYC from 4-5pm. Life don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!

Government Career Advice Q & A

2009-04-16T22:58:00.009-04:00

My radio interview this week with Stewart Liff, author of Managing Your Government Career sparked some great listener emails. Stewart was kind enough to respond to the additional questions with the inside scoop on landing a government job!

Question: How do you get around the system? No doubt there are many of us with great credentials but otherwise shouldn't waste our time due to gaps in our employment, bad employers or firms that have been merged, purged, bought and sold so that we can't provide references. Is this a lost cause? If so, are there still opportunities to work for the government without the paperwork? Consulting? Appointments by elected officials?

Answer: There are several ways to work for the government. The most direct way is to become a government employee. If you do not have references to cover the immediate past, this will not disqualify you for government employment, as they are not really taken into account until the end of of the selection process. At that point, if they like you well enough to tentatively select you, the odds are that a gap in your employment will not be a concern, particularly if it is driven by the economy, which everyone understands has had an adverse impact on many people. Consulting opportunities certainly exist with the government, but there are a wide variety of rules and regulations that govern this process. You can 1) try and consult directly with the government, which often involves having to either bid for government contracts that are announced to the public; 2) get on a GSA schedule as an approved vendor; or 3) work for a company that consults with with the government. Political appointments are generally at a high level and often, but not always go to people who were involved in the most recent Presidential campaign.

Question: Are there professionals we can hire to do the paperwork for us? How much? For the working person, it may well be worth $500 to $1,000 when we don't have the time to do it ourselves.

Answer: I'm sure there are, especially retired Human Resources experts. However, the most important part of the application process is your resume, which you should develop on your own. Once that is completed you can use that for every job announcement you are interested in (although you should customize it for different jobs.) Beyond that, all you would have to do is either answer several questions designed to identify your knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) or respond to a series of multiple choice questions. Once you have applied for a few jobs, the process will pretty much be the same and the amount of work involved in submitting your application should drop precipitously.

Question: Does the government use recruiters/headhunters?

Answer: Not that I am aware. The people who get the best jobs with the government follow the strategies I've laid out in "Managing your Government Career." They apply only for the jobs that are a good fit for them, they submit a first-class application that distinguishes themselves from the competition and they come to the interview on time and well prepared.

Thanks to Stewart Liff for sharing his insights. If you have a career or industry you'd like to learn more about, share your comments here. Life's too short not to do work you love! Here's to us all Making a Great Living.

Ready to work for Uncle Sam? Government Careers and How to Land Them

2009-04-15T12:44:00.004-04:00

Interested in one of the 48000 job openings with Uncle Sam and almost 26000 employment opportunities for students?

Tune in today for my special "Where the Government Jobs Are" segment on Making a Living with Maggie at 4pm EST/1pm PST on Martha Stewart Living Radio SIRIUS 112/XM 157. My guest will be Stewart Liff, author of Managing Your Government Career.

According to Stewart who began his government career in 1974, you need to put together a solid package of information to land a government job - from detailed work history, to education transcripts, to salary information. It's this information that the hiring manager will use to decide which government level you fit into and if you have the necessary experience.

Also most challenging for people not used to applying for government careers are the additional questions you need to answer as part of the application. Supplemental Qualification Statements (SQS) can contain over 100 detailed questions about your skills and experience.

It may take patience to apply for a government job but once you land one, you can make a difference. As evidenced by my guest later today Stewart Liff - winner of the President's Rank Award for Meritorious Service. Join me today and learn more about how you can make a great living working for Uncle Sam!

Have you applied for a government job or been in a government career? What tips have worked for you in landing a job and building a fulfilling career within federal, state or local government? What are the pros and cons of this path? Share your advice!

Real Life Success Story - Using the Downturn to Springboard into a New Career

2009-04-07T22:59:00.004-04:00

When times are uncertain, it can feel safest to hunker down and wait out the storm. It's an approach many are taking, just being thankful for having a job at all. My concern with this approach are the missed opportunities. People who were never really happy in their careers to begin with, are now settling for a less than rewarding career path.

Perhaps its time to take a different approach. Perhaps it's time to see opportunity in change. In my webinar earlier this week, this was the central message and for my clients, many are now seeing this as the perfect time to reinvent themselves and their careers.

If you feel the same, join me this Wednesday, April 8th for a very special Making a Living with Maggie on Martha Stewart Living Radio SIRIUS 112 and XM 157 (listen free here). One of my very own clients. Laura Rolands of myattentioncoach.com will be on hand to share her very real story of successful career change, using the economic downturn as a springboard.

Together Laura and I will share tips and advice to help you move your career forward in new and interesting ways. Tune in and join the conversation during this live radio broadcast and call in with your specific career questions at 1-866-675-6675.

You'll not only learn something new when it comes to managing your career but also get the inspiration and motivation you need to make your ideal career a reality now!

What success story would you like to see happen in your career? Already made a career change and want to share your story - comment here, now!

Landing Your Dream Job in a Recession

2009-03-30T10:57:00.009-04:00

Many thanks to my colleague and fellow career coach Allison Cheston for the opportunity to guest post on her blog for Examiner.com. Allison has appeared on my radio show and is a career change expert and authority on executive search.

My guest post, "Landing Your Dream Job in a Recession: Why Now is No Time to Settle" is available now on Allison's Career Change blog. Here is a sample tip from that post: To land a job you have to be the best at what you do. Employers have their pick of candidates. In order to stand out, you must focus on positions where you are particularly talented. Each one of us is a unique individual with a unique set of skills and talents. Align those talents with your dream job and you will stand out from the crowd.

Click here to read more of my tips and advice on how to go after your ideal career!

What's your dream job? What would you LOVE to be doing right now? What do you need to make it a reality?

Retirement - still possible in a bad economy?

2009-03-25T01:20:00.003-04:00

Many baby boomers are choosing to stay in their jobs given the economic downturn. And for those who've lost their jobs, retirement can seem challenging to reach.

Join me this Wednesday 4pm EST/1pm PST as I interview CNBC's resident retirement expert Bill Losey. A certified financial planner and author of "Retire in a Weekend! The Baby Boomers Guide to Making Work Optional", Bill will share the key steps to retire despite a bad economy. Also on the show, Danny Kofke, author of "How to Survive (and perhaps thrive) on a Teacher's Salary."

All that and your career questions answered on Making a Living with Maggie SIRIUS 112 and XM 157. Hope you can tune in! For a free trial of SIRIUS, click here.

The Top 10 Growing Industries for Jobs

2009-03-19T01:08:00.007-04:00

If you missed me on CNN this week, you have another chance to hear where the jobs are.

Tune in for my interview on The Bill Handel Show KFI AM 640 LIVE from Southern California today (Mar 19th) at 10:30am eastern/7:30am pacific. Bill hosts the #1 rated morning show in the area with more than a million listeners. I'll be talking about the top 10 growing industries and how to transition into a new career!

For those not living in Southern California you can tune in LIVE by clicking here. If you don't have a chance to tune in LIVE then a podcast will be available for download here after the show.

Hope you can tune in!

New Ways to Avoid Layoffs, Today at 4pm EST SIRIUS 112/XM 157

2009-03-18T11:32:00.005-04:00

Layoffs actually cost companies more than they save.

That's according to Work Life Fit expert Cali Williams Yost, my guest today on Making a Living with Maggie (SIRIUS 112/XM 157 4pm EST). To tune in using a free trial of SIRIUS, click here.

Last week, during her interview on Public Radio International's The Takeaway, Cali highlighted that managers think firing someone who makes $50,000 a year saves $50,00a year, but the research shows it's costing them between $75,000 and $125,000. Cali advises companies instead to use flexibility, such as reduced schedules/salaries, adding unpaid vacation days, furloughs/sabbaticals, etc., as a better approach to reducing labor expenses because it preserves the profit-generating productivity and engagement critical for recovery. Click here for more details in Cali's blog post.

Unfortunately many companies are turning to layoffs to save costs at this time. If you or someone you know has been let go from a job recently, there are steps you can take to recover. Join me tomorrow (Thurs, March 19th at 8pm EST) for a one hour webinar on Leveraging Change to Move Your Career Forward. Click here to learn more and email me at maggie@maggiemistal.com to sign up.

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. ~Author unknown

Guest Post: Career Advice on the Growing Field of Environmental Careers

2009-03-13T11:00:00.000-04:00

My client Julie, Principal at Ecology and Environment, Inc. is a prime example of a person making a great living while making a difference. Read below for more on a day in the life with Julie and what career opportunities are available in the growing field of environmental careers...

Maggie - thanks so much for inviting me to write on your blog. Working with you definitely helped me think through how to match my career with my personal priorities. I do feel fortunate with the work that I do.

No day is ever quite the same as the next in my job, though there are consistent themes. We are an environmental consulting firm so we deal mainly with issues that affect human health and the environment.

Specifically our mission is to find workable, sustainable solutions to any environmental and human health problem that could pose a concern to human settlements and natural eco-systems. What this means is that I could be working on a contingency plan for water resources one day and be reviewing a climate action plan for a University the next. The topics are wide ranging but the purpose is singular. We try to make our communities better places to live.

As a Principal with the firm, I am responsible for directing client relationships and engagements, business development and mentoring junior staff. One of my primary goals for any client engagement is to make sure our clients and staff receive the recognition they deserve for their efforts. This year one of my clients is presenting our work at the 2009 American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition. We are very excited for them.

There are so many different types of jobs related to the environment. I have friends who are investors in start-up enviro-tech companies, others who are Corporate Sustainability public relations specialists and still others who focus on specific aspects such as energy conservation. The field is quite broad and growing. What I am really pleased about is that environmental work is no longer just seen as tree hugging. There are real operational and economic reasons to incorporate environmental concerns into businesses and our communities. Energy efficiency, scarce resources, mitigating natural disasters are just a few.

I encourage anyone who is interested in helping to shape our future pursue a career related to the environment. I have found it most rewarding.

Thank you Julie. Click here for more information on environmental careers. Are you looking to change careers into the growing environmental field? Is it your dream job to make a living and make a difference? Perhaps now is the perfect time for a career change.

Special Webinar: Leveraging Change to Move Your Career Forward 3/19 8pm EST

2009-03-06T00:08:00.011-05:00

"I totally agree with Maggie that things happen for a reason - and "change"
allows us to move on because it is the right time. With every bad situation - always look for the positive side." - webinar participant

Change is the one constant we can count on. I learned that early on in my career when my employer (Arthur Andersen) shut its doors and 80,000 of us across the world were out of work. It's difficult to go through a layoff. Feelings of shock, anger and fear can be overwhelming.

I understand career impacting change and have lived through it and you can too. To help you deal with the career changes affecting you, I'm offering a special webinar on leveraging change Thursday March 19th from 8-9pm EST.

In this one hour interactive session, I'll share a three step process for not only recovering from a career impacting change but also understanding how to use change to your advantage and come out better for it in your career. There will be time for questions to address specific challenges you're having as well. The webinar price is $19.95. For additional information and to sign up, email me at coaching@maggiemistal.com.

Here's what participants have said about this webinar in the past:
"Maggie is a true sage and has an incredibly positive outlook on life...Not only was it informative - it gave us a chance to be among all those whose positions have been eliminated and capture some of the feelings that we all probably feel..."

All is not lost if you've been laid-off. Change can work to your advantage if you know how to leverage it. Register and join the webinar on March 19th at 8pm EST.

Avoiding Job Scams

2009-03-03T21:57:00.000-05:00

Recently, I was dismayed to hear about the number of people getting roped into job scams. Sarah Needleman reported in the Wall Street Journal that "There isn't always a job behind an online job posting."

According to the article, sometimes employment ads are an underhanded way to get you to listen to a career marketing pitch or worse yet, an identity theft or money laundering scheme. With rising unemployment, the scammers are looking to take advantage of people in desperate situations.

To avoid getting scammed, follow these tips noted in the article:

--Be suspicious if information is lacking. If the job posting does not list details on the hiring company or position, it might not be real. If a name is listed, try calling the company to make sure the job posting is legitimate.
--Don't share important information. On your resume, consider using a PO Box instead of your real address and a disposable email address.
--Check for complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau (www.BBB.org) against the hiring company or job placement agency noted in the employment ad.

Still the best tride and true advice if you don't want to be the victim of a scam - If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Have you or someone you know been the victim of a job hunting scam? If you've experienced a job scam or successfully avoided one, share your story in the comments below. It will help us all stay informed and protected!

Want your dream career? Learn from your Heroes and Tune into My Radio Show

2009-02-24T23:19:00.003-05:00

I've been working remotely these past few weeks from Southern California. Soaking up the sun and beautiful coastline views. I've been taking client appointments, writing my blog, even doing my radio show live from San Diego. It's fun to connect in person with my West Coast clients and visit with my sister (and otherwise Virtual Assistant) who lives here as well.

Besides getting a break from the cold weather of the Northeast, I've also been happily surprised by the admiration of my clients and friends at my working vacation. They are all so happy that I am "living the dream".

What's amazing is that not so many years ago, I too was saying the same to Deepak Chopra on my radio show. I remember being fascinated by a day in his life living and working in Maui. To be as inspired as he needs to be in his chosen career, it only made sense that his work location fit the task. Seeing one of my heroes go after and create what he wanted, only inspired me more to go after and get what I wanted.

--Look to your heroes. Write down of list of the 2 or 3 people you admire most and why. What qualities or accomplishments or lifestyles do your heroes have that you want?
--If they achieved, you can too. You can only admire qualities in others that you possess yourself. If your heroes achieved great things, that just means it's possible for you too.
--Learn from their mistakes too. Your heroes are only human and have had ups and downs just like everyone else. Invest some time in reading the turning points in your heroes' careers. You'll find that they've had setbacks too. Setbacks that they overcame and you can too.

I'd like to know who your heroes are. Who do you admire and why? What do you hope to achieve that your heroes have achieved? Living the dream is closer than you think.

For more inspiration and career advice, tune into my radio show, "Making a Living with Maggie", Wednesdays at 4pm EST/1pm PST on SIRIUS 112/XM 157. This week, I'm joined by self-made millionaire Christine Comaford who'll share tips form her New York Times best-selling book - Rules For Renegades: How to Make More Money, Rock Your Career and Revel in Your Individuality. I'll also have a day in the life with a top hotel concierge from The New York Palace hotel. Click here for a free three-day trial of SIRIUS so you can tune in!

Career Success Starts with Goals (Tune in Wed 4pm EST)

2009-02-18T00:07:00.006-05:00

It takes energy and focus to achieve your goals especially in an economic downturn.

Tune in to my radio show, Making a Living with Maggie, this Wednesday at 4pm EST/1pm PST on SIRIUS 112/XM 157 for uplifting career advice. I’ll be joined by Feng Shui expert Julie Anna Alvarez who will help us create vision boards. You’ll learn how to set goals for your career so that doors open more easily for you.

For a free trial of SIRIUS, click here.

You’ll also learn what a day in the life is like for Amy Abrams, co-founder of In Good Company Workplaces (IGC). IGC's creative approach to office space is not only innovative but is enabling other entrepreneurs to reach their goals as well. I should know, I'm a member!

Perhaps you have a career goal you’d like to achieve. Share it here and tune in. Maybe you’re not feeling like your goal is possible. Tune in and find out how to generate positive energy around your idea. I'll will help you create a new vision for your career.

Above all, remember...
It is never too late to be who you might have been. ~George Eliot

Landed a job through online networking?

2009-02-09T01:16:00.004-05:00

This week on my radio show, I'll be speaking with a man who has over 25,000 connections on networking site LinkedIn.com. In anticipation of the show, I wanted to hear from you in an informal survey:

1) Have you listed your professional profile on sites like LinkedIn.com?
2) Have you found a job using online networking?
3) Do you prefer online or in-person networking when it comes to landing a job?

Please comment on your answers to these questions and share your networking success stories. Most jobs are still found through referral. If we can help each other network more effectively, we may very well thrive not just survive this recession!

For more information on how to work your network, visit http://www.maggiemistal.com/press.html for my advice quoted in The Boston Globe!

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Tune in for my segment on CNN today (2/3) at 2:30pm est

2009-02-03T12:21:00.005-05:00

If you're looking for a better career, tune into my segment on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips today at 2:30pm est. I'll be talking about how to create your "plan B" (in case you lose your job) and more importantly your plan to get into your ideal career.

And for more inspiration and ideas, tune into my radio show, "Making a Living with Maggie" tomorrow (Wed) at 4pm eastern on SIRIUS 112/XM 157. I'll help you manage your career as a brand and stand out in today's competitive marketplace! For more information and a free trial of SIRIUS radio go to: http://www.maggiemistal.com/radio.htm

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day." ~Author Unknown

What would you do with your career if you knew you couldn't fail? If you share it here you increase your likelihood of it happening! And I'll be happy to help with ideas on how to make your dream a reality.

Tune into CNN (Wed Jan 28th) at 2:30pm eastern and Learn What Every Job Seeker Needs to Know Now

2009-01-27T20:03:00.008-05:00

As the number of those joining the laid-off ranks increases, it can feel as if opportunities are drying up. Tune in for my appearance on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips at 2:30pm eastern (Wednesday, Jan 28th) for tips and advice that every job seeker needs to know now. You'll gain new perspective and start to see the opportunities that exist for you!

I know what job seekers are going through. Just this week I volunteered to coach in a free program sponsored by Vault.com and the New York Public Library. There were many coaches and even more coachees from various levels, backgrounds, and industries. All impacted by the downturn.

There is good news however. I was excited to help with ideas and solutions that the job seekers hadn't thought of. Here are highlights of the advice I shared and will expand on tomorrow on CNN:

--Separate your short and long-term strategy. You may need a job now to pay the bills but to provide yourself with lasting job security, you need a career. Too often I see people throwing themselves into the next hot industry or job without thought to what they'll do after the bubble bursts. Don't jump on the bandwagon. Rather focus on a career path that will keep you happy and satisfied for more than the next year or two.
--Make the transition easy on yourself. Identify the top one or two skills you already possess that an employer would find valuable even in a downturn. Are you good at bringing people together to execute on a project? Do you have great analytical skills to be able to solve problems? Forbes just announced the top companies to work for. Many are are taking advantage of the downturn to snap up top talent. You are top talent in the areas you excel in - so go after the jobs!
--Prepare your pitch. To get your foot in the door, you'll need a compelling pitch that communicates your value as a potential hire quickly and clearly. Invest the time and energy to work with a coach on your customized elevator pitch and visit sites like 15secondpitch.com. You can not only develop your pitch online but also see examples from others in your industry.
--Exude and exhibit confidence. If you don't believe you're a worthwhile hire, no one else will. Now more than ever it's essential that you maintain your self worth. Desperation will not land you a job but confidence and poise will. Testimonials are a great help as well. Ask colleagues and former bosses to recommend you on sites like LinkedIn.com. Employers use sites like these to research candidates so make sure you are putting your best image forward.

What do you need to know as a job seeker to land your next opportunity? What advice has worked for you in getting a new job during challenging times? I welcome your comments and ideas.

Work Life Fit - How to find yours in 2009!

2009-01-22T09:08:00.010-05:00

Yesterday I had the pleasure of interviewing work life fit expert Cali Williams Yost on my radio show. In case you missed it, tune in to SIRIUS 112 and XM 157 for a replay this Saturday at 6am eastern. Also here are highlights of the tips Cali shared:

First, change the way you think about work and life…

1) Manage your work+life fit day-to-day, not just during big life events. You can no longer afford to have your work and life just “happen,”. If you don’t spend at least some time thinking about and organizing the things you have to do, and the things you want to do, you will get even less done.

2) Understand that there is no “balance,” or right answer for how work should fit into your life. Your fit will not look like anyone else’s. The answer is what works for you and your job—it needs to be a win-win.

Now that you have the right mindset, here are some action steps to take in 2009:

3) Keep a work+life fit calendar with all of your work and personal appointments/goals/responsibilities in one place. I've tried every process and tool to help manage my work+life fit and what I keep coming back to is my calendar to effectively manage the way everything fits into my ever-changing work+life fit as a mother, wife and business-owner.

How do you begin?

• Figure out what type of calendar works for you. I like Outlook for entering “to dos” electronically. But, because I am more comfortable working off a paper copy, I print it out and carry it around.

• Enter in as many personal appointments and plans as you can think of for the next six months (a year is even better but could be too overwhelming), from doctors appointments to dates with your partner.

• Finish by entering work related appointments including “quiet time” and vacation days. (Tip: for vacation more than a week, block off two days before you depart and two days after you return on your calendar. That will remind you not to over-schedule yourself so that you don’t start vacation completely fried, and return immediately overwhelmed.)

• If there are periods when you business is busier than other times, note that on your calendar. For example, accountants are busier certain times of year than others.

Then, start actively managing your work+life fit calendar. When a new work project or personal responsibility appears, go to the calendar and ask yourself:

• Can I do it given what else is on my plate today, this week, this month?
• What do I need to shift or let go of in order to manage my work+life fit?
• Am I leaving time for activities that keep me healthy and functioning at my best (e.g. going to the gym, shopping for healthy food, sleep)?

4) Finally, set time aside—daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually—to check in and answer the question, “what do I want?” Check in and ask yourself what you want your work+life fit to look like and compare it to the work+life fit you see in your calendar and life.

Yes, times are challenging, but now more than ever it’s imperative that you take control of the way work fits into your life. Use these tips to make 2009 the year you start managing your work+life fit in a way that allows you to bring the best of yourself to work and to the rest of your life!

More information about managing your work+life fit can be found in Cali’s book, Work+Life: Finding the Fit That’s Right for You (2005 Riverhead), and in her Work+Life Fit and Fast Company blogs, at worklifefit.com/blog

What's your work life fit strategy for 2009? What approach works for you in finding time for your most important priority?

Guest Post: Important Reminder About Your Resume

2009-01-12T23:28:00.000-05:00

Given that many of us are updating our resumes to keep up in this dynamic economy, what a fitting time for a reminder on resume ethics. This one comes compliments of TJ Hanson, Associate Editor of the Digital Student Blog on GoCollege.com ...

When it comes to your resume, think twice about embellishing your past experiences.

One of the key elements in the job search process is to put together a well-polished resume. But no matter how attractive it may appear, a student’s experiences and accomplishments are the critical factors that set the stage for a potential interview and the possibility of a job offer.

Because of this fact, job seekers cannot afford to be too modest. They must sell themselves in the most positive manner possible, finding ways to make those experiences and accomplishments jump off the page.

However, the need to stand out has led many a candidate to stretch the truth and in some cases downright fabricate their list of achievements. These individuals reconcile their actions based upon a definitive belief that employers cannot possibly check the factual content of each resume.

That belief is one all potential job seekers should set aside. The public humiliation of college football coach George O’Leary is proof positive that such actions can come back to haunt an applicant at the worst possible moment.

Have you ever felt tempted to embellish your resume? Do you think it matters if you stretch the truth just a little? Have you ever caught a candidate with a lie on his/her resume?

7.2% unemployment: How You Can Still Find a Job (Tune into CNN today from 1-3pm est)

2009-01-09T09:56:00.005-05:00

The Labor Department released a lower than expected jobs report today which is relatively good news. The challenge is that the national unemployment rate rose to 7.2%, affecting a majority of states, metropolitan areas and most major industry sectors.

Yet all is not lost. You can still find a job in slowing economy and my clients are proving it. Here's how:

--Target your search. Most people's reaction in a bad economy is to flood the market with resumes for any and all remotely-related jobs. Employers don't want just anyone. They want people who can solve their problems. Research your employer to find out what challenges they are having that you can solve.
--Revise your resume to clearly demonstrate results. Your resume should not just be a list of tasks and activities. Rather include how your efforts saved the company money, or got results faster. It will show you add value to the bottom line with your work.
--Don't be afraid to go after what you want. The statitics look bad and they are. However, my clients who are taking the steps above are finding and landing jobs even in industries where there are challenges. Industries are changing and jobs are changing yes but that doesn't mean opportunities don't exist. I realize it's a challenge to do this on your own. If you're looking for support in targeting your job search efforts, sign up for one of my upcoming teleclasses on taking action or finding your ideal career. You'll get positive, pragmatic steps to move your career forward despite the tough economy.

Tune in today for my segments on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips from 1-3pm eastern and submit your specific career questions via email. I'll be responding to viewer emails throughout the show.

Facing Career Change in 2009? Tune in For Positive, Practical Advice Wed (Jan 7)

2009-01-06T12:56:00.014-05:00

2009 has already been a year of change. I've heard from many people who have come back to work from the holidays only to find a pink slip. Some felt shock. Others anger and still others relief. All were left with many questions as to what to do next.

To help, I'm focusing my radio appearances this week on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS 112 and XM 157 on positive and practical steps you can take if you're dealing with an unexpected layoff or want to shift careers this year. All segments are live and listener questions are welcome at 1-866-675-6675. For a free 3-day trial of SIRIUS visit www.maggiemistal.com/radio.

Tune in this Wednesday Jan 7th to SIRIUS 112 or XM 157:
--7:30am eastern, I'll share advice on the key steps to take if you've been laid-off, what to say to family and friends and how to get support if you haven't planned for a pink slip.
--2pm eastern, I'll be talking about where the jobs are in 2009.
--4pm eastern, a full hour of "Making a Living with Maggie." I'll be joined by author and fellow career expert Marci Alboher to talk about how you can shift careers in 2009!

Also check out my new 2009 line-up of teleclasses, webinars and group coaching and get the help you need with your career this year.

Are you dealing with an unexpected layoff? Is it time you shifted careers to something new in 2009? What career goals and ideas would you like to see come to fruition in 2009?

Making Time For What's Most Important

2009-01-02T09:33:00.012-05:00

As I write this, I'm creating my plan for 2009. I'm tearing out each month of the calendar and posting them on the wall by my desk. It's amazing to see all the days of the year and all the possibilities.

My goal is to make sure I make time for the most important activities in my life and career. Key areas I'm planning for include:
--Commitments I've made for radio, workshops and speaking
--New teleclasses and webinars I'll be delivering in 2009 and
--Inspirational cabaret shows I'll be putting on throughout the year.

Of course I'm also planning time off to rest and recharge! I used to feel stifled when planning my schedule in advance. I thought that if everything was set up, I couldn't be spontaneous. Over the years, I've realized the opposite is true.

By making sure the most important items are in my schedule, I have freedom to say yes or no to other interesting things that come along. I've actually left room for them as well. In the past, I felt compelled to say yes to everything only to end up worn out. This year will be different.

If you need to make time for what's important check out Cheryl Richardson's book Take Time for Your Life and click here for other helpful resources I recommend.

What are the most important items for your calendar in 2009? What experiences, goals, events, do you want to make sure you have time for in this New Year?

Where the Jobs Are In 2009

2008-12-22T22:46:00.011-05:00

I find the holidays are a great time to network and reconnect with past colleagues and friends. So as you toast your eggnog, if you are interested in discussing where the jobs will be in 2009 (and obtaining one) here is some advice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the top 10 growing industries from 2006-2016 include everything from: Management, Scientific and Technical Consulting, Hospitals, Colleges & Universities and Local Government. Despite the recent economic downturn, some of these will stay resilient especially with help from President-elect Obama. His jobs creation plan thus far is focusing on healthcare, education and energy.

But how to do you apply your existing skills to these hot areas?
-Identify your strengths (and beware of blind spots). Make a list of skills that come naturally to you. And write out examples of where you've used those skills on the job successfully. Many strengths translate across industries, some include problem-solving, serving clients/customers and managing others.
-Understand key required skills in the new field. The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a free resource with information on hundreds of jobs. In-person research such as networking and job fairs are also great tools to understand the training and skills needed for a job.
-Don't shoe horn yourself. Rather make the connection between your strengths and the new field in your cover letter and be sure to highlight those strengths on your resume as well. Demonstrate a real interest in your new field by subscribing to industry publications and read up! Your passion and enthusiasm will separate you from those just looking for a paycheck.

For more information, continue to tune into my weekly SIRIUS/XM radio show and tune in to my interview on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips Tuesday December 23rd between 2 and 3pm eastern for more advice on making the move into a growing industry in your career in 2009!

From your experience, where do you think the jobs will be in 2009?

Tune into CNN Today at 2:30pm eastern and Learn What To Do When You're Out of a Job

2008-12-16T11:44:00.007-05:00

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to share career advice on CNN and get a positive message across that real opportunities do exist for everyone even in trying times.

I'll be back on CNN today (Tues Dec 16th) at 2:30pm eastern on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips. I'll be covering the Do's and Don'ts of Coping with a Layoff and Landing a New Job.

Here are some highlights if you've found yourself out of work whether for a week or several months:

--Make sure your resume communicates your fit for the job. Many companies use technology to sift through resumes so it's important to make sure industry relevant key words are included in your resume such as important software skills. If you haven't been getting "hits" with your resume, perhaps it's time to get a professional service like www.ResumeDeli.com to optimize the language you are using.
--Focus on your strengths and what you have (not what you don't). We all have unique talents which can help us stand out in a competitive job market. Comb over past performance evaluations and ask colleagues, family and friends what they see as your strengths. Don't be afraid to share what makes you the best at what you do on your resume and in interviews.
--Put yourself in the hiring manager's shoes. Who would you hire? The person who has confidence in her abilities to land the job or the person who thinks "they'll never hire me." Your attitude matters so be excited about your career opportunities and believe you have what it takes to land that next interview and next job.

Most importantly, if you've been struggling with finding another job, don't expect the same approach to yield different results. We are in a dynamic economy so perhaps what you've done or been looking for doesn't match exactly what's out there. Be flexible and open to change and you might find new opportunities in areas you never thought possible!

What strategies would help you land your next job? Have you had success finding a new job recently? Share your tips and ideas!

Tune in for My Career Q&A on CNN Today, 5-6pm Eastern

2008-12-13T22:13:00.015-05:00

Tune in to CNN today, Sunday Dec 14th from 5-6pm eastern for my career Q & A with Alina Cho. Here are some of the important career topics we'll be discussing:

Q: What key steps does it take to rebrand yourself?
A:
Soul Search - focus not only on a paycheck but also on the career opportunities that fit your passions, talents and interests
Research - test out your new career by talking to others already in the job (informational interview) and act "as if" by volunteering or job shadowing in the new role
Job Search - once you've validated your choice with some real experience, update your resume and highlight the skills you have that transfer to your new brand.

Q: What are the do's and don'ts to crafting a great resume?
A:
Don't think it only has to be one page - if you have 10+ years of experience, it's natural that your resume will be longer. But make sure the most important information is on the first page where hiring managers tend to focus.
Do keep your resume in chronological order - Hiring managers and recruiters like to see how your career has progressed and if there are any gaps that need to be understood. Don't hide your career path rather keep to the right timeline and just be prepared to explain why you may have taken time off along the way.
Don't let your resume speak for itself - use your network to get your resume into the right hands. Contact friends, family, past colleagues and your alumni network to get an internal referral of your resume to the HR department. This way your resume is the back up to all the great things a real person is saying about you.

Q: Are there ways to protect your current job if you're not ready to make the leap to a new career just yet?
A:
Yes, I often recommend keeping a job while creating a new path. I kept a full-time job while I was building my coaching practice and rebranding myself as a coach.
To keep your current job secure:
--never talk badly of others to protect yourself
--highlight what you've accomplished and document it
--regardless of what you do, be a top performer by always giving your best effort.

Tune in to CNN this afternoon for my live interview from 5 to 6pm eastern on important and relevant career advice to support you in rebranding yourself and your resume while also keeping your current job secure in the transition!

Holiday Gifts for Your Career

2008-12-13T08:41:00.006-05:00

I had the honor of being featured in Nancy Colasurdo's FoxBusiness.com column on meaningful holiday gift giving. My contribution...a great gift to test drive your dream job! Read more.

If you or someone you know could use support in creating the career of their dreams, give the gift of career coaching this season. Contact me at coaching@maggiemistal.com to find out more about coaching gift certificates!

Also stay tuned for more in 2009. My New Year’s goal is to reach more people and offer career advice in new ways that might manifest into an ebook, webinars/seminars and more cabaret shows!

What's the best holiday gift someone could give you for your career this year? What's the most meaningful gift you've ever given or received?

Tune in and hear Martha Stewart on Making a Living this Sunday

2008-12-04T21:00:00.010-05:00

For those of you who weren't able to tune in, you can hear Martha Stewart on my radio show, Making a Living with Maggie, this Sunday at 6am. She called in to share glowing feedback for her assistant Julia Eisemann. Julia has been working with Martha for 11 years and shared what a day in the life is like working with Martha.

It was amazing to hear the tremendous respect they have for one another and how they've built a solid working relationship. If you've been struggling with your manager and want to learn a better way of working, tune in this Sunday at 6am EST on SIRIUS 112 and XM 157. Click here for a free trial of SIRIUS!

What would you want your boss to say about you on national radio? Have you ever received glowing feedback? Share your proud moments!

Negotiation Strategies on Making a Living with Maggie Wed at 4pm EST! (Replay Sunday at 6am EST)

2008-12-03T12:56:00.007-05:00

Are you a confident negotiator? Do you know what to say and what to do to get the most out of your next job offer or even a severance package?

Tune in to Making a Living with Maggie and learn how to negotiate effectively. Carol Frohlinger, co-founder of Negotiating Women, Inc will be live in studio taking your calls and sharing strategies to help you advance your career. And I’ll interview Julia Eisemann Martha’s Executive Assistant on what a day in the life is like in her interesting career! (Post show update - listen to the replay this Sunday and hear Martha herself calling into the show!)

That’s Making a Living with Maggie today at 4pm, EST,1pm Pacific, on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112 and XM 157! Sign up for a free trial of SIRIUS and call into the show with your questions at 1-866-675-6675.

What would you negotiate for in your job if you could - better hours, better pay, new responsibilities? Call in and write in for support to get the most from your hard work.

Discover Your Mission and Vision on VoiceAmericaBusiness Radio- Live 12pm eastern Monday Dec 1st!

2008-11-30T22:15:00.010-05:00

Many people struggle with determining what they want to be when they grow up. Join me on Monday Dec 1st at 12pm eastern/9am pacific for a special segment on Leadership Development News on Voice America Business. I'll show you how to create a personal mission and vision statement and uncover what you really want to be doing with your life and career.

The hosts of Leadership Development News include:
--Dr. Cathy Greenberg - co-founder of the renowned executive consultancy h2c (Happy Companies. Healthy People) and author of multiple bestsellers.
--Dr. Relly Nadler - CEO True North Leadership, Inc. an Executive and Organizational Development firm. He has designed and delivered many executive boot camps for high achievers in Fortune 500 companies.

Tune in live on Monday December 1st at 12pm eastern/9am pacific for my segment on Voice America Business and get clear on what you want from your career. (Rebroadcast at 12am eastern/9pm pacific. Past episodes also available on demand and podcast ready at www.Business.VoiceAmerica.com).

What did you or do you want to be when you grow up?

Believe in Your Dreams Part 3 (Guest Blogger Kim Engler)

2008-11-25T09:49:00.000-05:00

This the last of three guest posts on Believing In Your Dreams. This one comes from Kim Engler - my friend, colleague and vocal coach. She produced my cabaret shows (click here for a clip from my recent "Follow Your Dreams" show) and is the one who helped me find my voice. By day Kim is a media consultant, presently working in the fashion industry where she produces talent everyday. Here's a Q&A from Kim to help you believe in your dreams.

Q: What are the key steps to believing in your dreams?

A:
Practical willingness: self-inquiry and action based on what is appropriate for your life in the way it is right now
Encouragement: focusing on the practical reasons why your dream is possible and valuable
Constancy: ‘showing up’ and ‘being there’ in a consistent manor
Creative Support: discovering tools that help you to help yourself~ especially cultivating resilience, positive focus, awareness and flexibility
Practical Vision: focusing on the big picture, and taking your best steps, in your way, towards manifesting your dreams

Q: If you had to summarize, what key messages do you send to those whose dreams you are helping to cultivate?

A:
Trust yourself!
Know yourself - better than anyone else (daily practice!)
Believe in yourself - and the ‘how’ will be revealed moment-to-moment
Develop your practical intuition = understand, identify and trust your ‘gut’

For more great advice and insight from Kim, look for www.KarunaMedia.com coming soon or email her at Kimberly.Engler@gmail.com.

On this Thanksgiving holiday, I am very thankful to have the support of Kim and many others to make my dreams a reality. Perhaps there are people who have supported you.

Who's helped you follow your dreams? Who might be in a position to support you in bringing your dreams closer to reality?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Finding Work-Life Balance In a Tough Economy

2008-11-21T00:45:00.009-05:00

This week on my XM/SIRIUS radio show, Making a Living with Maggie, I focused on a topic that is hitting many of us - lack of work/life balance. To hear a replay of the show, sign-up for a free trial of SIRIUS and tune in Sunday at 6am to SIRIUS 112/XM 157.

As the economy worsens companies react by cutting back (WSJ: "Executives Shift to Survival Mode".) With layoffs, the work demands increase dramatically for those left to carry the load. Employees also feel pressured to pass on vacation time for fear of not having a job when they return. Business owners are feeling the pressure too and many are over-marketing, over-selling, and taking any client (whether a fit or not) that they can get.

The problem I see with survival mode is that it's not sustainable and it's not good business. Let me tell you what else I'm seeing. Companies who are taking care of their employees right now even more. They are still planning holiday parties, and offering perks such as an onsite-trainer. They are implementing "open book financial management" where the employees see the numbers side of the business and are educated about which numbers they can impact and how. It's a team effort. I'm also seeing entrepreneurs who are being more selective about their marketing/sales efforts and which clients they take on.

You see it's the difference between scarcity and possibility. If you believe in the work you do as an employee or business owner, you continue to see creative ways to expand your impact, even in tough times. You also continue to attract clients and customers who want to see you succeed. You take care of yourself and your employees because they are vital to the innovation and ideas you need to succeed.

Now is the time for you to focus on possibility, take care and have even more balance in your work/life. If you're feeling out of sorts, tune into my radio show this Sunday and learn how to negotiate for better work/life fit. It's better than surviving, it's thriving!

What's your work/life balance situation? Are you feeling increased work pressure and demands? Is your employer offering support? What would help you take care of yourself as an employee or business owner?

Don't Miss Out: New Webinar Tuesday November 11th at 12pm Eastern

2008-11-10T16:25:00.010-05:00

For many, right now is the time to find your passions and explore new career paths. These challenging times can in fact be seen as an opportunity. By determining your strengths and value, you can start to map out a practical career path that not only allows you to survive but to thrive.

Join me for my new webinar on Veteran's Day to help you take action with your career and to support a great cause. For more information and to register go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/421225017

The online event, "Taking Action with Your Career," is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th at 12:00PM EST and is designed to help you identify your unique talents and uncover new possibilities for your career. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit Beyond Tribute, an organization that aids wounded veterans, their families and the families of the fatally wounded.

Following the 45-minute presentation about Taking Action with Your Career, I will be available for a live chat with participants to answer career questions. The webinar format is simple to participate in from any updated PC or Mac computer and is designed for people to complete at their desks during a lunch break or before the workday.

This is a great way for people to start thinking about what their next career steps might be. And it’s also a way to support a great cause this Veteran's Day.

What actions would like you to take with your career? Do you want to see opportunity in your career? Want to say thank you to all the veterans who have sacrificed for our freedom?

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" -Maya Angelou

Taking Action with Your Career

2008-11-05T09:50:00.013-05:00

When you take action with your career, it's amazing the results you can achieve. Whether you agree with Barack Obama's politics or not, he's someone who's succeeded in following his dream. Here's what we can learn from his approach to achieve our dreams too:

--Step One: Define your platform - If you want to change careers or land a new job, write out your ideal job description. You are 3 times more likely to achieve your goal when you write it down. If you're not sure of the best career, register for my Veteran's Day Webinar on Nov 11th at 12pm eastern. In one hour, I'll help you identify your unique talents and uncover new possibilities for your career. Part of the proceeds will benefit veterans. Reserve your webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/421225017

--Step Two: Campaign - Tell others what you are looking for and why you'd be a great fit. Develop your elevator pitch and communicate it. You are 10 times more likely to achieve your dream when you share it.

--Step Three: Get support - Surround yourself with people who are following their dreams like the guests I have on my radio show. It's truly contagious. Every Wednesday tune in to Making a Living at 4pm eastern on SIRIUS 112 and XM 103 and get the inspiration you need to go after what you want.

You have the power. You have control over what happens in your career. Just like President-elect Obama, you can do what others say can't be done. You can take action with your career.

What is the next step to move forward with your career? Do you have ideas and plans? What dream would you love to see come true? Yes you can!

Job Action Day - Who's Your Cheerleader?

2008-11-03T16:13:00.013-05:00

This post is part of an entire day of useful career advice called Job Action Day, sponsored by Quintessential Careers.

This weekend I was part of an amazing event - The New York City Marathon. No I didn't run. I was a cheerleader. I made it a point to bundle up and go out along the marathon route and encourage runners.

Why you ask? Because everyone could benefit from a cheerleader to help them achieve a milestone.

For me, I was amazed to see the runners smile and pick up the pace when fueled by the sights and sounds of the countless fans pulling for them. Thousands cheered alongside me for everyone brave enough to make the effort. It was contagious.

That very energy made me think about the many different ways we can cheer each other on through the current economic challenges and how we need to encourage each other to continue to follow through on our dreams.

Cheerleaders have always lifted my spirits when I'm struggling. They've kept me going when I wasn't sure I could, and applauded me when I've achieved. And I do the same for my clients.

So with today designated Job Action Day maybe it is not about an action directly for you and your job situation. Maybe it's a little reminder for you to reach out to someone you know, someone you love, or even a friend you haven't met yet and encourage them to finish their "marathon". Encourage them take action with their careers.

Trust me it is contagious.

Who needs your cheerleading today? How might you help that person follow through on their dreams and take action with their careers? Believe me, your spirits will be lifted as well.

Surviving a Layoff as an Older Worker

2008-10-30T15:13:00.013-04:00

Surviving a layoff can be a challenge at any age, but especially if you're close to retirement. Tune in to hear my advice live on CNN Newsroom Friday October 31st at 2:30pm eastern. And read below for specific, practical steps you can take to land a new career and take control of your job security.

--Focus on your employability: When your work plays to your strengths, interests and natural talents, you have no problem demonstrating specific ways you are the BEST at what you do. Even in bad times, employers will hire and retain their best and brightest. Make a list of your top strengths and identify careers where those are key required skills. You'll be a perfect match at any age. Click here for more on landing a job over 50.
--Convert your skills: Opportunities still exist in industries such as healthcare, education, oil & gas, and green power. Identify the skills you have that are transferrable and you'll broaden the career possibilities available. Functional skills such as technology, human resources and finance/accounting exist in all types of businesses. Other skills such as project management, communication, and teamwork apply across industries as well.
--Get creative with packaging your experience: If you are open to consulting, freelancing or project-based work you may have an easier time finding opportunities. Companies may be more apt to commit to a project than a full-time position during the downturn. It may require starting your own consulting business, but you'll be able to continue building your resume and earn an income. Click here for more advice and resources on starting your own business.

I know it can be tough to go through a career crisis (read my story). But you can prevail if you take action with your career. Writer Art Buchwald puts it all in perpective, "Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we've got."

Share your comments, questions and concerns if you're going through a layoff. And if you've got a survival story from your own experience, share that too. We're all in this together!

Now is the Time to Follow Your Dreams

2008-10-24T14:08:00.004-04:00

"Do something that scares you everyday." Great words of advice from Eleanor Roosevelt. I love that quote and try to implement it in my own life.

My next "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway" moment (thank you Susan Jeffers) will be this Sunday October 26th at 8pm at Don't Tell Mama in NYC. I'm putting on an inspiring jazz cabaret show called "Follow Your Dreams."

I'll be singing standards with a fabulous trio of musicians - Tom McEvoy on piano, Paul Sikivie on bass and Alex Nguyen on trumpet. The show will be hosted by Craig Zabransky who is following his dream of being a travel adventure writer.

If you're in need of some positive, uplifting, entertainment to inspire you to live the life of your dreams, join me. There's no better time to follow your dreams!

I'd also love to hear from you. When was the last time you did something scary and wonderful at the same time? Maybe you are following your dreams and loving it? Would love to hear all about it!

Career Advice for College Graduates

2008-10-21T20:55:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow evening, I'll be speaking to soon-to-be graduates of Manhattanville College at the Backpack to Briefcase event for graduating seniors. The event is a celebration and a send-off. Rather than tell them what to do, I plan to inspire the students to find their own answers. It's advice I wished I'd received.

I was so focused on being the good student that I only did what others told me to do. To this graduating class I want to impart, honesty. Please be honest with yourselves about what you really want to be doing with your time, your energy, your skills, your talents, your ideas. That's the path to a satisfying career.

Also don't be afraid to try something. That's the advice I shared in Lindsey Pollak's resourceful book, Getting From College to Career. As a new graduate in tough times, it's important to have the right perspective. Take the best job you can find and learn from it. "Get miles on you" as a mentor of mine used to say. Even if you don't love what you are doing, you can at least learn more about yourself and make new connections.

Stay positive. There is always room for good people in the working world. Focus on where you can be of service and to whom. Talk to professors, your parents friends, career services, alumni contacts. Do informational interviews with potential employers to understand their challenges and goals. Pitch ideas of projects you can complete or roles you can play, even if on a freelance or part-time basis.

Lastly, check out all the great advice posted on LinkedIn.com for fresh graduates.

Are you (or do you know) a soon-to-be college graduate? How is he/she faring in the job market? What advice do you have for fresh graduates? Where are opportunities that you see?

Believe In Your Dreams Part 2 (Guest blogger George Prinzo)

2008-10-16T19:36:00.002-04:00

A healthy sense of humor may be just what's needed in these trying times. Recently Business Consultant and Comedian George Prinzo appeared on my radio show to share his thoughts on believing in your dreams (especially if your dream is to be an entertainer!)

Here are a few highlights:

- Remember, to get over stage fright, don't picture people in their underwear - it just makes things worse.

- When pursuing your dream - don't quit your day job (unless Career Consultant extraordinaire Maggie Mistal tells you to do so. Who I am to give career advice anyway? I'm just a comedian!)

- If you are interested in doing stand up comedy - many clubs now offer "comedy schools." If you are in NYC, the school I went to is www.manhattancomedyschool.com. Also, most clubs have open mic nights.

To see some clips and dates for George's upcoming shows visit:
www.myspace.com/georgeprinzo. Or look him up on Facebook.com. Feel free to add him as a friend and contact him with any questions about believing in your dreams and making a career in entertainment possible for you.

How are you keeping a sense of humor in your life? Do you have a favorite past-time that you're finding joy in despite all the negative news? Have you ever considered a career in entertainment?

George is also a great model for using your passion for a purpose. For those of you in the NYC area, he will be hosting a charity fundraiser dinner/show for John Hudson Dilgen. For more information see www.johnhudsondilgen.com.

3 Reasons Not to Panic About Your Job

2008-10-10T14:35:00.007-04:00

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

You've heard those words before but what does it really mean to your career? Why shouldn't you be panicking right now?

--1)For starters, panic never helped anyone think clearly or make rational decisions. If you're frantic over what's happening on Wall Street (and yes there are some serious economic challenges occurring) you may be putting your career at risk. Here's what I mean - when you start to operate from a place of panic and fear at work, you're more apt to second guess yourself, miss details and ultimately make more mistakes - the very things you want to avoid right now. So calm down. Take a walk, play a game with your kids, go see a movie and by all means, don't panic.

-2) Value is what creates opportunity. Now is the perfect time to examine the work you do and the value it provides. Who benefits from your efforts and how? Are there ways you can be of even more service to your clients, customers and your boss? Focus on what you can control - your own performance on the job.

-3)See the current turmoil as your chance to shine. It's the best captains who can navigate in rough seas. With all the economic challenges facing companies, governments, nonprofits, now is the perfect time for you to step up and really demonstrate the creative, innovative ideas you have that can help. Don't just sit back and let everyone else take care of it. Pitch in. Play your part in the best way you know how. It will demonstrate not only your abilities but your integrity as well.

If you are having trouble seeing the opportunities for yourself, register for my free one hour webinar next Tues, October 14th at 12pm eastern entitled "Getting on the Path to Career Happiness." You'll be able to define your personal career mission statement, vision statement and a practical career path to thrive not just survive today's economic challenges.

How are you doing? Are you panicking? Do you have reasons why panicking isn't a good idea? Share them. We are all in this together!

Believe in Your Dreams Part 1 (guest blogger Craig Zabransky)

2008-09-27T21:39:00.006-04:00

This Believe in Your Dreams entry comes from Craig Zabransky, Financial Services Consultant and Travel Adventure Writer.

With time to reflect on my recent appearance on the ‘Believe in Your Dreams’ segment on the Making a Living radio show with Maggie Mistal, I realize that there is one key element, one vital piece of advice to really help make those dreams a reality.

I spoke about it on the show, but to summarize, the advice is simple. Start ‘being’ what you want to become in your career. Don’t just dress the part, or even act the part, BE the part.

For example, when people ask you, “What do you do for a living?” Take this golden opportunity to advance your dream.

Sure, you can answer with a conventional approach and discuss what you do to pay your bills, to support your lifestyle, etc…Or you change your answer and start ‘being,’ start discussing your dream. Trust me; people would rather discuss a topic that energizes you then be bored chatting over your listless occupation.

Make no mistake; I am not saying to lie. For me, I started discussing my passion to write stories about my adventures and foreign travels. Then one day, after many attempts, I started talking to someone launching a website and my enthusiasm easily enabled me to pitch a travel story. He listened intently, appreciated my passion, and gave me an opportunity. That day my passion transformed into a real assignment, a job.

Now after publishing fifteen articles, my career is just beginning, and I am starting to do more than just believe in my dreams, but live them.

Gandhi said, “ Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Great advice not just for the world stage, but for your career too. So, ‘be the change’ in your career and start following your dream. Trust me, life is much better on this side.

Good luck & Stay adventurous.
Craig Zabransky

Craig is a published Travel Writer; click here to view his latest published work. And join his email list by reaching him at craig.zabransky@gmail.com.

What do you want to be? How might you start acting as if and make your dream a reality?

Believe in Your Dreams Now More Than Ever

2008-09-27T21:25:00.011-04:00

When times are uncertain, it can feel safer to pull back-“to tighten the belts” as my father likes to say-than to take on anything new. Yet, this approach can keep us from going after the very opportunities that will turn our careers or even our lives around.

I reiterated this point recently on my radio show, Making a Living with Maggie on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS. I interviewed a panel of three fabulous guests, each of whom was following their dreams. They had so much great advice to share I've asked each to guest post over the next few weeks.

In case you missed tuning in, I'm on live every Wednesday at 4pm EST, (subscribe to a free three day trial of SIRIUS) the next several blog posts will include inspiring words of wisdom from my guests to support you in "Believing In Your Dreams".

It’s vitally important now more than ever to step into your power versus feeling afraid. The world's best and brightest don’t wait for the right opportunities; they go out and create opportunities in good times and bad. Now it’s your turn!

Share your advice and comments too. What are your dreams for your career? What's worked for you in making your dreams a reality?

Time for Career Strategy as well as Financial Strategy

2008-09-22T20:00:00.001-04:00

I responded to a recent question on LinkedIn.com - "What's your biggest concern with regards to the US Financial Market crisis?" I think it was aimed at people managing money on Wall Street but I felt the need to expand the focus. Here's my response:

"My biggest concern is that people react to the situation rather than proactively strategizing what it means to their careers. In every challenge there are opportunities especially if you are positioned to take advantage of them. We are witnessing a fundamental change in Wall Street that will impact Main Street. The sooner people focus their attention on planning their career strategy, the sooner they can implement those plans and stay ahead despite any adverse changes in the economy."

I'm not trying to scare anyone. I'm merely pointing out that reacting to change is not an effective career strategy. Knowledge truly is power.

Get in the know about the impact to your career:

--Assess the impact to your employer. Did your employer lose clients or revenue due to the Wall Street shake-up? If so, will cost reductions need to follow to keep the business profitable? What ideas might you offer up to save the company money and perhaps save jobs?
--Assess the impact to your industry. Is demand in your industry likely to grow even if people curb their spending? Are the products and services produced by the industry something people can't live without or are they more of a luxury? Consider making contacts in growing industries such as healthcare, green power, oil and gas. Use your university alumni network to do informational interviews and understand how your skills can transfer.
--Assess your performance and contribution. Are you known by your manager as a top performer? Do clients love working with you? There's always room for the best of the best. Are you a revenue generator for the company? If not, what might you do to adjust your job to bring in revenue so you're not viewed as an expense?

I welcome your questions, comments and responses to these assessments. What impacts are you seeing (or do you anticipate) in your job, employer or industry? What outcomes are you working to create or would you like to create? What do you feel is a good career strategy given your situation?

If you're not sure, email me at coaching@maggiemistal.com for an assessment of your current situation and what you can do to strategically manage your career.

Smart Career Resources For Tough Times

2008-09-17T12:56:00.004-04:00

"We never thought it would get this bad." Words from one employee affected by the changes that are hitting Wall Street this week.

Most are in shock but realize action is necessary to weather the storm effectively. If you are looking for support and advice, here are sites I've found useful:
--Collection of career advice from expert career coaches and authors
--Free career how-to videos on finding a job during tough times, landing a recession-proof job and acing a job interview
--Tips from the NYTimes.com if you're Out of Work on Wall Street

My advice, take this as a wake up call - focus on your passion and your unique strengths and the money will follow. And I walk the talk.

I made it through the Andersen debacle by doing a soul search BEFORE the job search with the help of career coaching. I found the process so helpful, I got certified as a coach and started helping all my Andersen friends with their careers. Now 7 years later, I'm my own boss helping people get out of the rat race and into careers they would do for free (but get paid well to do.)

It's your turn to take control of your career and find opportunity in challenge.

Join the conversation with your comments and let's all get through this together. What are your thoughts on what's happening on Wall Street? What advice you want to share for those impacted?

Recovering from Career Crisis

2008-09-15T13:42:00.006-04:00

If you haven't heard, today shock waves went through Wall Street. Sadly, I know how these employees are feeling. It's de ja vu back to my experience with the Andersen/Enron debacle.

Going through a corporate crisis is not something I recommend. Though I have to say it has made me stronger. For those personally impacted by the changes announced today on Wall Street, I do have some advice that can help you not only cope with the situation but use it as a springboard to take charge of your career.

--Take stock of what you do have. It's amazing how crisis puts things in perspective. Be thankful for your health, friends, family, skills, experience, savings. It will help you see that you have support to move on.
--Realize that this too shall pass. You have recovered from career setbacks in the past. You will recover from this one. Reach out to others who can share advice and ideas-former colleagues, mentors, recruiters, career coaches.
--Focus on what you can control. I remember being angry with management for the Andersen situation. It was frustrating to see something end with so many good people impacted. However, I've since realized that everything happens for a valid reason - even the tough situations. I focused less on my anger and more on my abilities to create a new career. In fact I can honestly say that the end of Andersen meant the beginning of my new career in coaching.

If you weren't personally impacted by the fallout on Wall Street today, I'm sure many of you know someone who has been. Consider calling or emailing to check-in. That was my first reaction when I heard the news. See if you can offer any help, even words of support would be of use to people in this challenging situation. Besides by offering help now, you give to your network. And you never know when you might be the one taking that assistance in the future.

Has your career been impacted by corporate crisis? Have you recovered from crisis like these in your career?

The First Steps to Starting Your Own Business

2008-09-14T21:51:00.011-04:00

Thank you to those of you who tuned in last week to the return of "Making a Living with Maggie" on Martha Stewart Living Radio SIRIUS 112. I was joined by four fabulous guests throughout the hour and we shared tips, advice, ideas and inspiration about "Believing in Your Dreams."

It's a topic I feel can't get enough air time. Callers shared their dreams, many focused starting their own businesses - from a hair stylist, to a wedding planner, to a stay at home Mom returning to work. The on air conversation focused on not just believing in your dreams but making them a reality.

If you've been thinking about becoming your own boss and want to know how to get started, there are great resources offered by the US Small Business Administration:
--Free business consulting
--Business planning resources
--Information on health insurance and other programs for the self-employed.

You can also check out Marci Alboher's Shifting Careers blog. She recently mentioned small business contests where you can find even more resources to support your dream.

If you've been thinking about becoming your own boss, perhaps it's time to believe in your dreams. With support, preparation and planning you may very well realize your true potential.

What's your dream way to make a living? What do you need to make it a reality?

Tune in and Start "Making a Living" on Your Own Terms

2008-09-08T21:15:00.013-04:00

"My career chose me. I don't even know how I ended up in this job. How do I get out and fast?"

While not actual quotes from my clients (those are protected for confidentiality) this is an unfortunate running theme from my coaching sessions. People need help in figuring out a strategic career path so they can stop hopping from one unsatisfying job to another. And apparently, a lot of people need help. A 2007 Conference Board study found that only half of all US workers were satisfied in their careers.

I'm more than happy to help people get on track. So happy in fact that I'm always looking for new ways to serve.

That's why I'm excited to announce that starting this Wed, September 10th, you can tune in for weekly career advice and inspiration on SIRIUS satellite radio. You can also call into the show live and get your questions answered on air! My show, "Making a Living with Maggie" will air Wednesdays at 4pm eastern/1pm pacific on Martha Stewart Living Radio SIRIUS 112.

What would you like to hear discussed on the show? Job hunting resources, career change ideas, work/life balance strategies, how to be your own boss? What topics interest you? Let me know so I can help you make a living on your own terms.

What are you cultivating with your career?

2008-09-03T16:23:00.018-04:00

People often contact me to find more meaning in their careers. They want to make a difference but aren't sure how. If this sounds familiar, read on. Below is an inspiring example of a one woman whose dream of helping others is now reality.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lois Reddick in high school. Though we had lost touch for several years, she and I recently reconnected. It was great to catch up and even more amazing to learn that Lois had founded a non-profit organization called COSIA. COSIA is built on the belief that one woman, with the help and support of her sisters (and brothers), can make a tremendous and positive difference in the world.

That belief is coming true.

So far COSIA has provided funding, exposure, and/or support for many programs and organizations including: The Love by the Slice Baking and Catering Program and The Dillingham-Williams Foundation (both in development), the Afterw@rd Suicide Prevention Project, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the Consciously Rebuilding Project in New Orleans, and Operation Longthrust Summer Youth Program in Washington State.

If that's not enough, here's what members have to say:

“COSIA is where I go to make the impossible possible through positivity and idea sharing, so that I can then be able to pass it on through community building.”

“COSIA helped me realize that I am a powerful, intelligent, and visionary woman who is determined to make an impact.”

I have the honor and privilege of presenting at COSIA’s Cultivating Your Path Workshop. If you are in the New York area and would like to attend, click here for more information.

I am so impressed with what Lois is cultivating. Now it's your turn. Get inspired and cultivate a great impact with your career.

What cause or goal do you care most about? What change do you want to see in the world? What organization might you contribute through and have a great impact? I can't wait to hear your comments!

Survive and Thrive in Today's Tough Economy

2008-09-01T22:11:00.001-04:00

Often times we need an outside perspective to see solutions to our career struggles. The WetFeet Survival Guide for Women in Business by Sarah Baicker offers just that perspective. Completed in conjunction with The Forte Foundation, the guide focuses on the particular challenges of women in the workplace including:
--Finding Work/Life Balance
--Negotiating
--Job Hunting (*Here you can read my advice on how to evaluate a job offer).

The guide also includes a comprehensive resource list of articles, books and professional organizations to utilize in moving your career forward.

Find out more about the Survival Guide and share your tips of surviving in today's tough economy.

What strategies have worked for you? What struggles are you finding in surviving in today's tough economy?

Are you suffering from overwork?

2008-08-25T17:00:00.000-04:00

Recently I was invited to speak at PepsiCo on the subject of working smarter not harder. Having spent much of my career in corporate America, I know many workers feel stretched just to keep up with daily activities.

With this in my mind, I was shocked and saddened to read a recent Economist article about an employee in Japan who had died from overwork. Just thirty years old, the father of two died after working successive 80 hour work weeks for the previous 6 months.

Working these hours, life starts to feel like a treadmill. You're running faster and faster each day but not getting very far. You see it happening yet continue with the routine not knowing how to stop and get off. If this sounds like you (I've been there too), here are two useful resources you might want to check out:
--Take Time For Your Life by Cheryl Richardson
--Work + Life by Cali Williams Yost

Both offer inspiration and practical tips for making time your ally. If you're thinking, "I'd love to read them but I don't have time," then check out a book summary service like Executive Book Summaries.

Above all, remember this: "The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

What are your strategies for managing time? Do you feel overworked? How do take care of yourself while still taking care of your career?

More Great Career Advice from The Olympics

2008-08-18T14:39:00.003-04:00

Here are a few more of my favorite moments from the XXIX Summer Olympic Games and the lessons we can apply to our own lives and careers....

"I said I'd try to get a medal and hopefully it'd be a gold one." According to NBCOlympics.com, that's what Michael Phelps said to Stevie Hansen, a promising young swimmer diagnosed with cancer who had reached out to Phelps. Michael sent gifts and made trips to see Stevie, even attending a swim meet to cheer on the little boy. Michael said he was honored to be looked up to by someone like Stevie.

It's amazing that behind the scenes, behind all the fame - success is a team effort. Michael Phelps was motivated not only by the desire to break records and become the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time but also by a young boy's last wish.

"Don't put an age limit on your dreams" - inspiring words of advice from Dara Torres, 41 year-old mom and the oldest swimming medalist in history. I wanted to highlight Dara's story for anyone feeling it's too late or they're too old to follow their dreams.

Believe it or not, you might be getting even better with age. According to NBCOlympics.com, Torres started her Olympic career at the 1984 games in Los Angeles but her most successful Olympics didn't come until 20 years later in Sydney in 2004. And when she's been retired from swimming, Dana Torres has also successfully transferred her skills into sports broadcasting and modeling.

What lessons are you taking away from these amazing athletes and their stories? Who's inspired you to go beyond your limits and achieve what's never been done before?

What if changing your mind, changed the outcome?

2008-08-13T23:44:00.003-04:00

I am completely enthralled with the XXIX Olympic Games. I find it tremendously uplifting to watch people stretch themselves and rise to the occasion.

In particular, I've been struck by the comments of US swimmer Jason Lezak. (If you haven't been watching, Jason swam the last leg of the 4X100 Meter Freestyle Relay and miraculously brought home the gold for his team.)

Jason said that at the last turn he could see his leading opponent was a full body length ahead. His first reaction was, "I'll never catch him." But then something amazing happened - Jason changed his mind. He said to himself, "That's ridiculous. This is is the Olympics."

It was with that thought in mind that Jason swam a full second and a half faster than ever before. He not only caught the leader but surpassed him and won the gold. Later Jason would say that he was "just tired of losing."

Jason not only furthered his own dream that day but contributed to Michael Phelps amazing achievement of the most goal medals of all time.

We may not all be Olympic athletes but we can all change our minds to be more supportive of ourselves and our achievements. What if your mindset could change your situation? What if instead of losing out on your next interview or next promotion or next opportunity you instead thought only of doing what you needed to do to win?

I'd love to hear your stories. What would you like to change your mindset about? Has changing your mind changed the outcome for you?

What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?

2008-08-03T15:30:00.005-04:00

A key question I ask my clients at the start of our work together is "What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?" I get varied responses - be my own boss, travel the world, run for office, make a difference. For each person, the dream is different but what's the same is underlying fear that it's not possible.

Hearing this from my clients, I thought one of the best ways I could help was to lead by example. It has always been my dream to sing on stage so recently I did one of the scariest things I've ever done - I put on a cabaret show off-Broadway in New York City!

I themed the show, "Believe in Your Dreams" and sang popular jazz standards each focused on following your passion. I had an emcee and a comedian in the show who followed their dreams and had inspiring stories to tell. I also donated proceeds from the show to an inspiring charity.

I can't tell you how great it felt to experience my dream coming true. Click here to see a clip from the show. The audience really enjoyed it too. Many left saying they were inspired to go after their dreams as a result. Even the owner of the cabaret venue told me I had what it takes to "make it big."

Now I don't just tell my clients they can do it, I show them and tell them how to make it happen:
--Do it for yourself first. I never told anyone I wanted to sing but deep down I knew it was within me. And when I found out that a friend was a singing coach, I approached her to to set up lessons. Kim Engler (kimberly.engler@gmail.com) who also produced my show, helped me find my voice and have confidence in my ability to sing. She knew just what to say at just the right moment to help me reach each note. She also got me to take my dream seriously.
--Enjoy the process. I took a year and a half of singing lessons before deciding to perform on stage. I had to learn new ways to breathe and to position myself in order to fully utilize my entire body as an instrument. Taking my time allowed me to savor the experience and really see the progress I was making over time.
--Get support from people who believe in you. My clients, friends and family all attended my show - some travelling across the country and others travelling across the globe. Those who couldn't attend sent well wishes. It was wonderful to feel so much support. At the show, it was great to know the audience was rooting for my success.

Having had so much fun, I'm already planning my next show for the fall. I want to continue inspiring people to live their dreams by living my own. Eleanor Roosevelt put it well when she said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

I'd love to hear about your dreams. What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail? Have you done something that scares you only to realize you loved every minute of it? Share your comments and let's help each other believe in our dreams!

My favorite career books for your summer reading list

2008-07-22T13:01:00.009-04:00

Reading all the negative news about the economy, layoffs and the rising price of oil is enough to depress even the most optomistic among us (of which I count myself.) So to inspire you this week, I wanted to share some of my favorite career books. This way, you can read something uplifting and inspiring and get ideas to take your mind off the negative and instead focus on moving your career forward.

--Looking to test out new career path?

Check out Test Drive Your Dream Job by Brian Kurth and Robin Simons. Brian is the founder of Vocation Vacations, a company that creates opportunities to test out different careers from winemaker to voice over artist to private investigator. With this book, you can set up your own test drive of any career you've been dreaming of. This week I'll be test driving a dream career for me - cabaret singing! For those of you in the New York City area come see me live at Don't Tell Mama on 46th Street between 8th and 9th avenues at 8:30pm on Thursday, July 24th.

--Ready to go from college to career?

Today's college students are doing more internships, externships, informational interviews, studies abroad, etc. Yet many still feel lost when it comes to defining the ideal career. Getting from College to Career by Lindsey Pollak is THE resource that grads need to not only land a job, but create a career path that works. You can read Lindsey's blog posted under my favorite links.

--Have a fear that's keeping you from living your dream?

If you've been thinking about making a career change but just haven't had the courage to make a move, check out Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Dr. Susan Jeffers. It's a book I've read and reread all the times I've felt afraid to put myself out there in new ways. In fact, I'm listening to it now before my cabaret show on Thursday!

What career books have you found helpful? Are there a few you've found particularly inspiring?

Informational Interviewing 101

2008-07-14T15:29:00.001-04:00

Too often people overlook the informational interview as a key tool in landing a new job or making a career change. I got my previous job at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia through an informational interview. It was a conversation that led to many career opportunities for me.

If you've been wanting to do something different in your career and aren't sure how to go about it, try this approach:
1) Make a list of careers you'd love to be doing (Aren't sure? Read my article on Finding Your Purpose.)
2) Write down all the questions you'd like answered (for a sampling check out the online informational interviews at TheCareerProject.org).
3) Ask your network for anyone they know doing the career(s) you want. If you don't get any leads from this step, try going online to industry associations or check with your alumni association. Email or call the Executive Director and ask for any contacts he/she can recommend.

Seems easy right? Well not if you make the conversation all about you. Rather than focusing on why YOU need to talk to this person and why YOU need a new career and why YOU really want information; Instead, focus on why your interviewee is the perfect person for you to speak with because he or she is accomplished in this field and came highly recommended. Be genuinely interested in the career path of the person you are interviewing and you will not only get information but build rapport.

If you're still not sure how to informational interview for your own situation, email me at coaching@maggiemistal.com or call in to my segment on Martha Stewart Living Radio Thursdays at 9:30am and 3pm eastern.

And let me know your experience with informational interviews. Have they worked for you? Who have you informational interviewed?...

The challenge of too many interests

2008-07-08T19:30:00.000-04:00

Have you ever felt like a Jack or Jane-of-all-trades, master of none? It's a problem for many of my clients. We (yes, I include myself) can often feel like our multiple interests are a problem, causing us to feel scattered and unable to focus in our careers.

I often hear my clients lamenting: "If only I could stick with one thing...If only I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up...If only I didn't have so many interests..." If this sounds like you, don't fret any longer.

Being a person with multiple interests is actually a benefit to your career. Why? Because having many interests makes your more adaptable in the fast changing world of work we now live in. The key is to embrace your interests and manage your career so that you get the variety and change you crave.

To get ideas of how others are creating careers that fit all their interests, here are two very helpful resources I've found:

--One Person, Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher
--The Renaissance Soul by Margaret Lobenstine

There's no need to bounce from one career to the next. Contact me if you're unsure how to create your ideal career at coaching@maggiemistal.com.

And let me know if you feel you're a person of many interests. Have your many interests helped or hurt your career?

Landing a Job Over 50

2008-07-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

I've been getting lots of calls on radio and several emails from people over 50 who want to change careers or land a new job. Many, though quite accomplished, are very concerned that their age will be an issue in finding a new job. Here's my advice if you're concerned about landing a job over 50:

--Write out your ideal job description(even if you think it's impossible.) By articulating what you want, you are in a better position to tell others about what you are looking for and increase your chances of finding it. You're also less likely to settle for the first thing that comes along.
--Read career books. Betsy Cummings book, Job Hunting Over 50, offers practical advice and useful tips. I interviewed Betsy on Martha Stewart Living Radio and got great response from listeners on her advice.
--Go online. AARP has an entire career site dedicated to people over 50. Their site even includes the list of best employers for people over 50! Seniors for Hire is also a job hunting site specifically for people over 50.
--Of course, career coaching can be of help in offering your specific advice on your situation. I'd be happy to do a complimentary 30 min session for anyone struggling with this issue.

And let me know - Has age been an issue in your career? Or have you found the "career fountain of youth" and been able to sustain a great career well over 50?

Post your comments below. I'd love to hear from you!

Take a vacation and learn a new career!

2008-06-23T23:04:00.000-04:00

Ok so I wasn't learning a new career on my recent vacation to Thailand, but it was great to network with new and interesting people. So much so, that I talked on Martha Stewart Radio about how to network on vacation. Read all about it on Martha Stewart Living's Radio blog!

Vacation can lead to career change as well. For those of you who don't know, I'm an affiliate coach for VocationVacations (VV) - a company dedicated to helping people test drive their dream jobs. It's an amazing concept in which you can spend a weekend paired up with a mentor who does that dream job for a living. It's a great way to learn the in's and out's of a career BEFORE making a career change.

One of my clients found his landscape architecture Vocation Vacation to be very helpful in confirming that was the next career for him. He was also able to build a friendship and long-term network with his mentor. What a win-win!

If you've been contemplating a new career but aren't sure how to make it happen, read my recent blog post on the VV website. I offer tips and advice for making your career change a reality!

Great Resource for Career Research

2008-06-15T09:08:00.001-04:00

Each week I take calls on my careers segment on Martha Stewart Living Radio SIRIUS 112.

This week in particular, several calls focused on where to find information on various careers from virtual assistant, to medical transcriptionist, to industrial engineer.

To gather comprehensive information on hundreds of careers whatever career you are thinking of, check out the US Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook. The 2008-2009 edition is available online now.

Check it out and you might find that you have what it takes to make the career move you've been thinking about (and if not, contact me at maggie@maggiemistal.com and I'll help you create an action plan to make it happen!).

A Note of Caution When Blogging for Your Brand

2008-06-15T08:43:00.000-04:00

Danielle's post about managing your brand made me think of a recent article on training for bloggers.

It turns out that you can be sued for defamation, copyright infringement or even piracy for what's on your blog if you're not careful. So, many amateur bloggers are getting professional training from journalists on what's ok and not ok to say on your blog.

A scary example noted in the article of a real estate agent being sued for $25 million because he blogged about a real estate developer's bankruptcy, drives home the importance of such training.

If you're interested in getting trained, the article mentions the Society of Professional Journalists in Chicago who are offering training in different parts of the country.

Manage Your Career Like a Great Brand with Guest Blogger Danielle Walsmith

2008-06-07T09:48:00.000-04:00

This week, I thought I'd share some advice from Marketing Guru Danielle Walsmith. I've learned so much in working with her when it comes to managing my brand and hope you do too...

FROM DANIELLE:
Last week I saw this blog post on MarketingProfs Daily Fix about owning your digital identity. It talks about owning your own domain name, just like Maggie owns MaggieMistal.com, but also about owning your user names on social networking sites such as Flickr, Twitter and YouTube, so that others don’t end up owning your digital identity or making a mockery of it.

After reading it, I immediately Googled myself to check out my own digital identity – luckily most of what is listed is stuff I’m familiar with already. But some of it dates back five years or more, and that’s a good reminder of how permanent our digital identity can be. I also Googled Maggie, since I’m writing for her blog, and was relieved to discover that she owns her own user name on her Amazon profile!

Have you Googled yourself lately? It’s a good idea to do so on a regular basis to check in on your digital identity. If your user names are all over the map, or a variety of nicknames, it may be time to edit some of them. If your search results reveal info that is outdated or irrelevant to the personal brand you’re cultivating, you might consider some options for boosting more positive results. These include setting up a website on your own domain name, starting a blog under your domain name and posting often, Twittering frequently and posting thoughtful comments on blogs you read frequently.

Managing your brand online is just as important as managing it offline.

Danielle Walsmith is a small business coach in Los Angeles focused on working with female entrepreneurs launching or expanding their own businesses. She has over 10 years of experience as a communications professional with an emphasis on PR, marketing, strategic planning and personal branding. For more info about Danielle, you can visit her website at www.sweettalkconsulting.com.

Ace Your Next Interview with the Right Handshake

2008-05-21T19:32:00.000-04:00

I came across an interesting study recently that links successful interviewing with a firm handshake. Believe it or not the people with the best handshakes, men and women, are more "hireable".

What makes for a firm handshake? According to the researchers, good handshakes involve:
-a firm, complete grip
-eye contact
-vigorous up and down movement.

If you're not sure the quality of your handshake, test it out. Shake a few hands and see if the person gets a more or less favorable impression of you. Find out how to improve your handshake and you may just improve your chances of landing your next job. Read the full handshake article.

"Don't waste your time living someone else's life"

2008-05-11T20:44:00.000-04:00

With graduation day upon us, I thought recent college graduates (and in fact all of us) would benefit from some inspiring words of advice from Steve Jobs, Apple co-founder. His commencement address at Stanford University is captured in this brief video that you won't want to miss.

If you don't know his history, Steve Jobs is one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of our time. He's also a college drop-out - a choice he credits with his success today. He doesn't advocate dropping out as a method but rather strongly advocates following your heart. He also points out how quickly time passes and that we don't live forever. His poignant words of advice ring true no matter what your age, "Don't waste your time living someone else's life."

I want to thank my client Kevin for sharing this insightful video with me so I can share it with all of you. Here's to you living your best life everyday!

Would you be better off as a Free Agent?

2008-05-03T14:57:00.000-04:00

Just this week, executive recruiting site www.ERE.net reported a rise in free agency . In other words, more employees are opting out of full-time jobs to be independent contract workers. The reasons for the rise included a desire for more control over their time as well as the greater stability offered by several employers rather than just one. With the ups and downs of today's economy, many don't want to put all of their "employment eggs" in one basket.

I also found it interesting that free agents aren't just taking work from anybody. They are boning up on annual reports, earnings information and news reports about their clients and essentially doing "background checks" before agreeing to do any work. I've always coached my clients to stay abreast of what's going on with their employers in this way.

If you've been thinking about being on your own, perhaps now is the time. Being a free agent is freeing and allows you to work on projects you want to be doing. It also allows for greater flexiblity and the chance to work when you want to and not when you don't. If you've been considering free agency, check out my article on the subject. You can also go to websites like FreelancersUnion.org, Guru.com and Elance.com or read, "Get a Freelance Life" by Margit Feury Ragland.

The savviest workers have figured out that they are their own best boss. Perhaps it's time you did too!

If others are living their dreams, why not you?

2008-04-20T23:02:00.000-04:00

In the quest for the ideal career, many people find it inspiring to read about others who've achieved this seemingly impossible dream.

My question is always, "If others are living their dreams, why not you?" Rather than getting angry or frustrated or jealous because someone has an interesting job, the perfect schedule, plenty of vacation time, great compensation; why not instead see it as a signal that this is a possibility for you too?

In a new book called, "How'd you score that gig?" Alexandra Levit interviewed more than 100 people in their dream jobs to see what got them there. She found persistence was a very important trait.

I would add "belief in their dreams" as another key trait of people I've coached who've made it to their ideal careers. No matter what naysayers or even their own inner critic told them, it was their own belief in the dream that kept them persistently focused on achieving it.

I count myself as one of those people in their ideal career. And still "Believe in your dreams" is the message that I put on my mobile phone so that everytime I turn it on, that's what I see.

We all need to be reminded that dreams do come true, if for others why not you?

Negotiating is always a good idea - even in bad economic times

2008-04-16T12:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal online published a great article on how to negotiate salary even in tough economic times. (A link to the full article is at the bottom of this post.)

It's a subject I've been tackling with my clients and thought I'd share a recent example.

Just last week a client asked me if he should expect a drop in pay because he's changing careers in a bad economy. My response - don't ever expect a drop in pay. Rather understand what the going market rate is for the job you're applying for and how your skills and experience can help you stand out.

I told him about Salary.com - a great resource to understand the salary range for the job your are looking for in your geographic area. Next we assessed his situation and whether his skills and experience put him at the top, middle or bottom of that range. For my client, many of his skills were transferable to the new job from his prior career. He wouldn't need to start over though he may be more towards the middle of the range than the top.

Going into the interviews armed with this knowledge boosted my client's confidence. He knew his worth and that allowed him to act accordingly in the interviews. I'll let you know whether he gets the job and at what pay!

Click here for the full Wall Street Journal article and feel free to email me at maggie@maggiemistal.com for help with negotiating pay that matches your worth!

What if you could change careers?

2007-10-03T22:41:00.000-04:00

Change of season can be a great time for change in your career. Make your career a priority this fall by tuning into my careers segments on Martha Stewart Living Radio. I’ll answer your questions and share news, tips and advice to help you make a great living! This week I'll share how to think on your feet and be more assertive at work to get what you want!

Tune in LIVE every Thursday at TWO NEW TIMES on SIRIUS 112:
• 10:30am EST/ 7:30am PST
• 3pm EST/ 12pm PST
And if you’re looking to change your image at work, check out my recent feature article on Worksnw.com titled, "Losing the Assistant Rep"!

“Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ~Pauline R. Kezer

What if getting a degree isn't the answer?

2006-06-28T11:34:00.000-04:00

Getting a degree can get in the way of figuring out your ideal career.

BEFORE you go back to school, TALK to people in the career you want and MAKE SURE the degree is necessary. This way, you'll save yourself money and precious time.

Case in point, I have a degree in Accounting and my CPA. Did I need those to become a career coach? No. In fact, pursuing accounting took me down a conflicting path from the pyschology, personal development and coaching that I love. I wish I had a career coach back then!

If you're going to school because you want a break from working, think again. You might be better off spending your money on a trip around the globe. I had a client who took 10 months off from Corporate America to travel. Now, he's fluent in Spanish and is a sought after resource for international projects. And the clincher - he doesn't have school loans to pay off!

Are you ready?

2006-06-23T16:19:00.000-04:00

I came across a great quote by Johnny Carson, "Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'ARE YOU READY?'"

Are you ready for...
SUCCESS
FAILURE
ADVENTURE
JOY
RISK
PASSION

Following the path towards your "what if" is all of these things. Not following your path is only one thing: TRAGIC.

Having it all

2006-06-20T10:24:00.000-04:00

"What if" has a great ring to it. I love to ask people "what if" they could have careers that made them money AND made them happy. Most people light up when I ask them that question and rattle off idea after idea. Sadly others just look at me and shrug, because they think that it's called work for a reason.

"What if" I told you there was a way for all of us to get out of the ruts we're in at work.

"What if" I told you that you can figure out your calling and get paid to do it.

"What if" you wrote to me write now with your "what if" career dream?

"What if…” – that’s my mantra

2004-12-01T17:18:00.000-05:00

What if…you looked forward to going to work?
What if… you made more money in less time and had work/life balance?
What if… your work was fulfilling and meaningful to you and to others?
What if…the only thing holding you back from your dreams was you?

WELCOME to my career community weblog for sharing, supporting and inspiring one and all to find the spark, take risks, set boundaries and achieve career goals. I look forward to hearing your "What if" stories and making this the year where "What if" comes true!