I have changed careers several times during my life, and it usually took only a few months to find a new job even in a new field of work. However, this time, something was different. Nothing seemed to be working. Over six months had gone by, and I was still unemployed. Not only that, but I was world-famous, and I was still unemployed. What was my problem? What was I doing wrong?
I did not seek professional help while I was unemployed, but I am sure grateful that a professional career coach contacted me.
In response to my publicity, a couple of professional career counselors and resume writers had emailed to say that they could help me find a job. I had tried working with one in the city, but he had been pressed for time and after an energetic initial meeting, neither of us had followed through.
However, Paloma Bowland—a career management coach and business strategist working with JibberJobber.com—was different. She sent me an email telling me about her career management site and then called to tell me what to do. She must have done something right, and I must have needed help, because as the summer progressed, I found myself in daily telephone contact with her, changed my job-hunting paradigm, went through a transformational experience—and found a job.
When Paloma called, she told me she would not only help me find a job but would also help me take charge of my career.
First, she gave me numerous tips on conducting and managing interviews. Next, she convinced me to do a thoughtful self-evaluation and revise my resume. Then she told me to clean up and reorganize my blog, coordinate it with my LinkedIn and Facebook profiles and write newspaper articles.
When I found a job and started working again, Paloma insisted our work was not over—it had only just begun.
Every suggestion she made was a chore and a learning process of self-discovery, but I quickly began to feel a difference, a transformation—a renewed sense of self-confidence and self-esteem. She also gave me plenty of psychological support, helping me remain focused and move forward even when I was feeling down.
Almost immediately after I had revised my resume and developed a new outlook, good things started happening. Not only did I get more positive feedback than before, but I felt much better about myself and was able to start turning job possibilities into solid offers.
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