Work Coach Cafe

Dear Work Coach,

I really need your advice.

So the offer finally came through Monday morning. I was boarding a plane on a business trip and they called, and sent the written offer which I received the next day. The offer is exactly what I asked for no more no less.

When I got back home on Thursday, I called my boss to give notice, shortly after I got off the phone with her and she had time to talk to the more senior management, she called me back and told me that they would like to make a counter offer. I also began getting calls from other management w/in the company telling me that to hold off because they would like the chance to counter. I told them what my new deal is, and I got a sense that they wanted to match my new deal.

I am confused and at a cross-road. [Read more →]

I just found this marvelously inspirational thought on a box of Celestial Seasonings tea of all places (Cranberry Apple Zinger in case you’re curious):

“It is a wretched taste to be gratified with mediocrity when the excellent lies before us.” British writer and scholar Isaac D’Israeli

Great thought. Are you just going through the motions? Are you doing the bare minimum just to get yourself through the day? [Read more →]

As someone who has used temp jobs and free-lance work many times to get myself to better jobs, I am a huge advocate of the power of this simple no-risk-to-either-side method of getting yourself noticed - and maybe even finding a new job.

A temp job can come in handy when you’re between jobs and just need a little income. But they are also a great way to try on a job for size. And there are even times when you can propose a temp or free-lance situation to let an employer try you on for size.

If your job search is stalled, a temp job may very well be the answer!

Today I found this article by Kate Lorenz of CareerBuilder.com that makes this point nicely: [Read more →]

I have quite a few posts on answering those annoying job interview questions like What’s Your Greatest Strength, What’s Your Greatest Weakness and Where Do You See Yourself Five Years From Now.

But up to now, I haven’t said too much about what questions you should ask your interviewer. And so now I will.

I’m inspired by a comment I just got from Terry B. on my post How to Make a Job Search Totally Exciting. He brings up the whole question question and suggests: [Read more →]

Do I see you rolling your eyes?

I know. Going from interview to interview and never getting that magic “yes” can quickly put a damper on any feelings of excitement over a job search or any future possibilities. Especially if the “now” at work is truly awful and then on top of that you willingly choose to go out and get rejected. Again. And again. And again.

Do I hear the word masochism?

For many, a kind of automatic pilot takes over and you just keep sending out the resumes and keep going to the interviews - if you’re even lucky enough to get any. And then you wonder why you don’t get the job. [Read more →]

So what does it take to get a boss to give you a raise - even in a tough economy? Basically, you have to ask for it.  Not that you get it every time..but sometimes you do, so it’s at least worth trying.

Take for instance the wonderful post I just read about this on This Writer’s Wallet by GradGirl:

I Asked for a Raise, and Here’s What Happened

In her post, GradGirl offers her own success story asking for a raise (I guess I just gave away the ending) using personal ingenuity, tips she learned in a Forbes article, some inspiration from other places, and of course…courage. Congratulations on a job well done GradGirl- and on asking for what you deserve!

But I do know how hard it is to ask for a raise, so I also want to share some of my own thoughts as well as a few previous posts on this subject. [Read more →]

Dear Work Coach,

I’ve been reading your posts online and they are very helpful. I have the similar situation to “Justwondering“, so I’d like to ask your help.

I used to work in a major hardware company selling PC for over 7 years. Until all the interests gone and I decided to leave. I switched to a job selling IT consulting service last year. 5 months with that job, a recruiter caught me and offered a very exciting opportunity, which is to sell software to Asia-Pacific area.

I was so happy and thought I found the best job I could think of, because I wanted to learn software, I know I can sell, and it is also a good software company. More importantly, the job requires candidate speaks fluent Mandarin, and that is my first language. I was informed that I will be given the opportunity to sell the product and develop the market in Greater China area. — think about it, the product, the company, the market — I couldn’t wait to start the new job!!

Now I’m in the position of selling software for 3 months. Unfortunately when I started, I was assigned the territory of India. My past 7-8 years experience is dealing with customers in North America. And as I mentioned above, one reason I love the job is because I speak Mandarin and am very interested in developing that huge potential market.

Now dealing with India, due to the reason of culture, mentality, business environment etc, it is absolutely new to me, and all my strength and experience turns out to be useless. I am dealing with my weakness now, and it will certainly not satisfy my boss expectation. I even asked him if I would have chance to do Great China area, but my request was rejected. [Read more →]

I don’t usually list local available jobs since Work Coach Cafe has no location per se, but I know some of the people at this wonderful non-profit, and they are really good folks. And for the right person looking for a job in the New York City area, this could be a terrific work experience.

So if you’re looking for a great entry-level Information Technology job, not only does this one offer good benefits, but you’ll have a chance to perform a critical function by helping staff who dedicate themselves to providing LGBT people with essential health care services.

If you’re interested or know of someone who might be, here’s the original job posting from Craig’s List: [Read more →]

My server was doing weird things all day, and the posts and pages weren’t working. But people at Blue Host assure me all is ok now.

Sorry for any inconvenience and thanks for your patience!

Stirred but not shaken…well, maybe a little

Ronnie Ann

A good friend of mine just suggested I take some time to explain my navigation tabs - at least certain ones. Good idea, CB. He wants you to know there is method to my madness.

So here goes:

Books to Help You Find a New Job, Change Careers, or Make the Most of the Job You Have

The first tab I’m going to talk about is the Cafe Store.

Because I’ve turned to books many times in my own career when I needed help, I selected some that I think (hope) might be helpful to you. So let me highlight a few of my choices and tell you why I included them:

(Note: If you don’t have the extra cash to buy one of them from my site, just go to the local bookstore and browse. Or better yet…see if your local library has some or all of them!)

• What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008 by Richard Nelson Bolles is one of the best-known and most respected books designed to help you figure out what you’re going to be when you grow up - even if you’re my age. It helps you think about what you’d be good at as well as what you’d like, and tries to get you past all the societal and parental “shoulds” so you can find your true calling - or at least a job that you like!
• The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland is just a good basic book that tells you how to create a great resume with lots of good examples. It also offers sound cover letter tips. I know Susan, and her advice is spot on and easy to understand.
• Discover What You’re Best At by Linda Gale is another good book that helps you figure out what to do for a living. For some people these decisions are so easy, but for most of the rest of us, we need a little help. This has some tests (don’t worry - only you see them) to help you look at things in a way you may never have done before.
  
• Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman by Gail Evans. I added this because, even in this day and age, women are not always as savvy - or successful - as they could be in the workplace. (This is true for men, too, of course.) Working harder is not always working smarter. Gail Evens explains her take on getting ahead and I like the tough yet oh-so-useful truth of what she tells us. So much of what gets us ahead has nothing to do with the actually quality of our work!
  
• The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom by Suze Orman. I am not in 100% agreement with all she says on her show, but I have to say that this small book can teach you a lot. I’ve always been good with money and that has given me the freedom, many times in my life, to just tell my boss to shove it without my having the next job lined up. Now I’m not advising you all to do that this minute, but good to learn a few simple tricks that can change your whole relationship with money for the better. And maybe buy you some extra freedom.
  

I also added some fun office toys, office products (or as close as I could find) that I’ve used personally, and some relaxation/de-stress stuff I find useful in relieving workplace stress, including tight muscles/ backs/ tendons. (These other categories are browsable in the upper right-hand window.) Have fun!

Job Finder to Help You with Your Job Search

Next I want to explain why I chose to add the Search Jobs tab.

I’ve tried my best to find ads and products that can actually help you. This one is my favorite because you can use the handy-dandy Job Finder on the tab (and on my home page as well as most posts) to find real jobs in your area or anywhere in the country. Or to just browse and see what else is out there. Also a great way to play around and see what kinds of jobs you’re attracted to - especially if you’re unhappy where you are but just not sure what else you’d want to do.

From their website:

Indeed gives job seekers free access to millions of employment opportunities from thousands of websites. Indeed.com includes all the job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages - and we continue to add new sites every day.

In December, they were included in Time Magazine’s Top 10 Websites article. I’ve spent time trying it out myself and even sent family and friends to it - with one friend getting an e-mail response and interview that very day!

So for all these reasons, I feel good about recommending it. Hope it helps! (Remember to try different variations of job titles/skills for better results and/or click on if you want to limit the search area even more.)

Hot Topics: Job Interviews, Bosses, Crazy Co-Workers, and Finding a Job You Love!

Finally, I want to explain why I added the Hot Topics navigation tab.

When I was dreaming about this new site, one of the ideas I had was to encourage even more contributions from all of you. I have a few posts that get great action and comments, but I think you have a lot more to say out there and so I added this to try to get new discussions going.

I worry because I am so wordy - I really do try to keep my posts and answers shorter than they are, but somehow I keep thinking of more things that might help. And so I go on and on. But maybe I talk so much I don’t leave enough room for the rest of you. And I want you to feel more at home here - more willing to offer ideas or take the conversation in a new direction.

So if you have things to say about interviews or bosses or dream jobs…please add your thoughts. And if there are other topics you want me to add, please tell me! Or if you can think of a better way for me to open up the conversation to the rest of you - please offer your suggestions. I’d love to just sit back with a nice cup of tea and read what y’all have to say!

So think of this as your tab. I’d be happy to change it any way I can.

In the meantime, I’ve included posts to support you in your interviews, your job search, and your dreams.

Hope that helps a little. If there are other suggestions about things you’d like me to add or changes you’d like to suggest, consider this your forum. Please.

Now where’s that cup of tea???