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Our three pink-slippers weigh in on their meetings with career coaches

Posted by Pat May on June 22nd, 2009 at 2:06 pm | Categorized as Silicon Beat | Tagged as , ,

   Last week, we paired up Kris, Elise and Roopa with Bay Area career coaches to see how, if at all, this expert advice might help our participants’ job searches. The story should run in the Merc this week, possibly on Wednesday, so keep an eye out for this next installment in Pink Slip 2.0. Until then, here are some notes from them about their hour-long sessions - first up, Roopa and her time with coach Tim Johnston of thenorth40network

A few thoughts about how i felt after talking with my coach Tim Johnston from thenorth40network company.

Overall , i felt he gave me a good emotional brainwash -an uplifting one i should say especially when he used phrases like ” You are not looking for a job, but you are a solution to someone else’s (hiring manager) pain!

I felt more upbeat about my job search again -at least it lasted for a few days :))

But,the fact that the market is still dry out there is hampering my enthusiasm quite a bit - am feeling very saturated and want to take a break from my job search - revisit my goals and come back with more vigor.

Got a few emails from my friends asking me to hang in there and that maybe by this summer - the job market might turn around !!!!

That’s it for me !!!

Next we have this from Elise, who met with coach Abhijeet Khadilkar with CareerTiger:

A few notes on the coaching session.
I’m still not completely comfortable with not sending out resumes. So, I will continue to do it the “old fashion” way and send out resumes. BUT, I am also using the tips/techniques that were presented to me during the coaching session. I’ve given it a few tries but haven’t gotten the “fish on the hook” yet and been able to get a sit down with anyone. My few attempts have directed me to the H.R. Departments.

Keep me posted of anything new coming your way.

And last but not least, this in from Kris, who had a session with coach Susan Bernstein or Work from Within up in Marin County:

Thoughts -

Wow. I knew I was good, but not as good as Dr. Susan was able to bring out of me. It’s changed my approach to market myself, mostly in changes to my cover letter and cold calling, “…you can’t afford to NOT have me work for you!” It has made me sound a bit more, “pitchman” like (Think Billy Mays, without the blue shirt and shouting) but I feel like it’s given me another breath of fresh air in a really stagnant job search.

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1 Response to “Our three pink-slippers weigh in on their meetings with career coaches”

  1. Taylor says:
    June 23rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    I think the coaching is a great tool that is being offered to these folks. It is truly about being able to project yourself on paper, over the phone and in person to be the “right fit” that the company is looking for. It is also a state of mind-you must be positive, flexible and able to “read” the room you enter to use the vibe to your advantage.

    When I interview for my open positions I am seeking those that show a flexible attitude, has made an effort to grow one’s personal experience such as certificates, extra classes, volunteer work etc if he/she were laid off and most importantly, is this a right fit for them and my company. Has any of these folks tried looking into

    1) volunteer work at organizations that they may want to work for or might gain new/updated skills?
    2) switching careers?
    3) part time work?

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