Media Impacts Career Choice for Females

I am very excited to have been invited and accepted into a train-the-trainer program designed to teach administrators, teachers, and counselors strategies to increase the number of females in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. If you haven't heard this acronym yet, you surely will soon. Many initiatives have been developed over the last few years to increase the number of females (and males) in STEM. Why? These fields are expected to grow at a very fast rate over the next several years, and in order for the U.S. to remain competitive in the global marketplace, we need more people entering STEM.

When considering career options for yourself, your child, or exploring with your client, don't forget about STEM. Not all STEM jobs require sitting behind a desk or being locked in a laboratory all day. Many offer opportunities to make a difference and help others.

Many reasons contribute to why females often don't consider STEM fields- from socialization to gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are portrayed rampantly in the media. Just turn on the TV or open a magazine and you will see females depicted in traditional gender roles, e.g., the ones who most often cook the meals and clean the house. Toys advertised to girls include dolls while toys promoted to boys include building blocks and tools. This week a video has been popping up all over the place that that depicts three bored young girls watching a TV commercial. The commercial starts out promoting what advertisers "think" is most appealing to all females and then switches to what some young females would prefer. It's an eye-opener! Check it out here.

Step Up Your Networking during the Holidays

The holiday season is upon us. With holiday parties and family gatherings in abundance, you are provided with ample opportunities to network with family, friends,  current or former colleagues, etc. Whether you're in a job search or not, building and maintaining your network is a critical career management tool.

Be prepared to network by carrying business cards with you. If you're in a job search, have business cards printed which include your name, email address, phone number, customized LinkedIn URL, and job target. As you make new connections, be sure to invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn.

Many job-seekers slow down their job search during the holidays. This is a actually a good time for you to step up your job search. Why? There's less competition.

Hate to Network or Cold Call? Great Resource for Job Seekers!

I just read a fantastic book called, "100 Conversations for Career Success" by Laura M. Labovich and Miriam Salpeter. The authors share great tips to help you learn to network, cold call, and tweet your way to your dream job. Many of my clients cringe at the idea of networking and cold calling (can't blame them on the last one). This book takes all of the stress out of doing any of these activities.

This easy to read book includes scripts on how to handle a networking event and follow-up, how to handle a cold call with no lead or with a lead, how to communicate on LinkedIn and other social media, and so much more.

To give you a glimpse into the book, I'd like to share a tidbit that I found very valuable. If you're in a job search, personalize your outgoing message. The authors share this example:

"Hello. This is Sam Browning, human resources and training expert. I'm sorry I can't take your call now. Please leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible." Another example would be to also include your email address.

If you're in a job search, I highly recommend this book!

Brand YOU: How to Stand Out from Your Competition and Land Your Next Job

Last week I presented a workshop titled, "Brand YOU: How to Stand Out from Your Competition and Land Your Next Job" to about 100 job seekers. Identifying your brand is critical in a job search. If you and your competition have the same table stakes to get into the game, i.e., the same number of years of experience and education level, what is it about you that can tip the scales in your favor? Not sure? It's time to figure it out.

During a job interview, it's easy to list off a bunch of adjectives when asked, "Tell me about yourself." I encourage you to give examples that demonstrate you are a good problem-solver, possess good communication skills, etc. What's skills and attributes are important for the job you are targeting? What do you have that matches? That's what you want to highlight. And again, take it a step further and provide "proof."

One of my clients works in collections- and we KNOW what kind of reputation THEY have. Well, this client has actually received thank you letters from some of the folks she has called on. Why? Because of the way she handles people who are in dire straits. Her genuine concern and empathy shines through. This has become an important (and authentic) part of her personal brand.

Want to know more about personal branding? Check out this link for a video and access to a 'basic' version of the 360Reach personal branding survey.