Name: Becky
Bio: Becky has a passion and talents for helping people achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through career development and for helping service providers do the same. With more than 15 years experience in frontline program leadership, she is responsive and relevant. She has committed the last several years to training employment specialists and job seekers across the globe in the WorkNet Model of Career Development, and is a highly acclaimed trainer across the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and the UK. She has also been a featured speaker for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the International Association of Job Search Trainers. Becky is currently the WorkNet Career Development program for the Union Gospel Mission of Saint Paul. She has been instrumental in evolving the WorkNet Model and Career Development Workshop curriculum that is used internationally, and has helped to develop cutting-edge career development tools for people with barriers. Her frontline experience, global perspective and broad knowledge, combined with her passion, humor and responsiveness guarantee an excellent and relevant training every time.
Posts by BeckyWNI:
- Help clients discover positive support groups to join.
- Encourage them to engage in some type of healthy activity that allows them to give back or help others.
- Do things to stay healthy—it’s tough to job search and maintain employment when you’re sick.
- Hold them accountable for their job search and don’t let them slide just to be nice.
- Discover ways to help them think outside of their box or industry.
- Tap into other agencies that can help them retrain or go back to school. There’s pockets of money out there for people to return to school. Find them.
- Teach them how to use LinkedIn or other networking sites that can link them with industries or people that can help them discover job leads.
- Help them identify their network. They may think they don’t have one, but they do.
- Teach them how to use their network.
- Take a class
- Try a new sport
- Go to a job fair even if you’re not looking for work
- Seek out a person you admire and introduce yourself
- Drive or take a new way to work
- Set up an Informational Interview with an employer
- Update YOUR resume
- Learn a new skill
- Tell them first that being a 360 mirror is part of your job. Don’t blindside them!
- Be honest. Don’t pussyfoot around the issue.
- Represent the employer’s perspective. Not your own! This isn’t about your preferences.
- Give solutions—don’t just point out the problem! No one likes to be told about an area of concern without hearing what can be done to remedy it.
- Hold them accountable for making the correction.
- PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!
- Notice whatever baby steps they may be taking. They must learn to walk before they can run.
- Don’t ever give up! You may be the only 360 mirror they have.
- He chuffs when I offer advice—I get that. He wants to do it his way, in his time.
- When I run into friends they ask how HE is doing. Never me.
- I’m frustrated and angry too. Where are the support groups for me?
- Depression contributes an overall feeling of despair for the job seeker. Those “un” unemployed experience depression and anxiety too.
- We haven’t really uncovered and addressed their fears.
- We haven’t discovered for ourselves and them what motivates them to shift or change a pattern.
- Are you giving them the necessary education or information?
- Are you holding them accountable?
- What do they fear they haven’t shared with you?
- What will motivate them to try and stick with a new way of thinking or behaving?
Settling
October 21st, 2009
No, I’m not talking about my house or my backside. I’m talking about the word I’ve heard and have been using with my clients that I never imagined I would use—it’s okay to “settle” for less! In the old days, the days where jobs were easier to come by and people could hold out for their “dream” job, I would rarely encourage people to “settle” or take a job just to take a job. With the economic downturn, employers becoming lean and mean, the job search process becoming longer and tougher, I don’t encourage my clients to turn down a job offer when it isn’t in their area of interest or the “dream” match. If it means they keep their house or car and have to work a job that may not be the best match, I vote with keeping the house and paying the bills. I don’t like it but I like even less the idea of my clients going deeper in debt while they wait.
So what can we do to keep the dream alive when the client may have to take a survival job?
One last thought, maybe “settling’ can actually turn into a dream job. If clients take a “settle” job, help them see the positives in the job and how they are gaining new skills that will make them more employable when their industry recovers and things turn around—as they will.
What are you doing to help clients get through these tough times?
Photo by Bernard Pollack
Stuck
September 22nd, 2009
I believe part of my job is to be creative and innovative in my work. What happens when I get stuck, as I often do? Who do I have to talk to or what can I do that kick starts my creative juices? I’m writing about this as right now I feel stuck with what to write so I thought…write about being stuck!
It’s easy to get stuck without realizing you’re stuck. If you’ve been in this field for any length of time you can get comfortable doing things the same way you’ve done it for years or remain in your bubble without getting out into the real world. Every day I challenge my clients to get out of old patterns, consider new careers, go back to school or volunteer. In my mind I think it’s very realistic for them to take on new ideas, try new things or reach out and do something different. But more often than not, they don’t jump out of their comfort zone.
As I reflect on this, it’s no wonder that they don’t. It’s not something I’m comfortable with so why should it make sense and be easy for them. In this economy, stretching, trying new job search techniques is an absolute must for sob seekers. You and I MUST lead the way and push ourselves to sometimes be uncomfortable. It doesn’t automatically happen you have to make it happen! So what can you do? Here are some ideas and I’d love to hear yours:
Keep in mind that if you expect your clients to move out of their comfort zone, you have to be willing to do the same.
Intentions
September 9th, 2009
I recently began a course to better my career coaching skills. The facilitator asked us to define “intentionality” as it relates to working with job seekers. My first response was FOCUS. Not a tragic thought but as I’ve continued my reflections, I peeled back a few more layers and decided you first must figure out what the focus IS before you can be intentional.
Your focus may be different than that of the job seeker. You may be focused on helping them develop the best possible resume so they can job search and maybe they haven’t job searched in years and don’t even know to use a resume to showcase their skills. It’s no wonder the job seeker may appear uninterested or even angry. As a team, the focus is different. So it would seem the two parties involved need to agree on the focus, then the work that is done can be intentional.
Back up still one more step—to agree on the focus the job seeker and you must figure out the goal. The focus will change depending on the goal. If the goal of the job seeker is to return to school and work part time, how and where they look for employment changes. Goals can be discovered by listening, asking good questions and reflecting back to the job seeker what you’ve heard. Once a goal is determined it’s easier to become focused and intentional.
Your job can actually become easier as well. Between you and the job seeker, you can determine action items that will help reach the goal. So I’m becoming more intentional with the questions I ask and reminding myself to focus on what the job seeker is really saying.
What’s your definition of “intentionality”?
Photo by Marfis75
I’m a Dinosaur
August 25th, 2009
Believe it or not, I don’t own a cell phone! The new and improved versions don’t even excite me. Most would think I’m insane and should return to the stone age where I belong. But for my life and situation—not owning a cell is okay—for now!
Believe it or not, I don’t own a cell phone! The new and improved versions don’t even excite me. Most would think I’m insane and should return to the stone age where I belong. But for my life and situation—not owning a cell is okay—for now!
There’s other areas in my life where I’m behind the technology curve as well. Like I said, it may be okay for me, but that mindset is not okay for my clients. Especially if they plan to find a job and stay employed for the next 20 years. Luckily, I have a co-worker that is a very smart man when it comes to computers, the latest phones and the newest technologies. It’s one of the reasons I hired him because I’m at least smart enough to know my weaknesses.
In past years I have been relying on floppy discs to give to my candidates that hold their resumes, sample cover letters and business cards. Guess what? They don’t work anymore! I was turning a blind eye until our computers finally decided to break down and not recognize a floppy disc. So we’re trying new ways (that some have been using for a very long time) to accomplish the same task. It’s not without stops and starts but I think we’re progressing.
I post this thought to ask you—how are you upgrading your skills? What you teach? How you coach? How are you staying current with the latest trends? Are you teaching skills that actually put and keep your candidates in the running?
If we don’t continually upgrade our skills and knowledge, how can we expect that of our candidates?
360 Degree Mirror
August 12th, 2009
One of the things I hate most about clothes shopping is the 360 mirror. You know the ones that show all the bumps, lines, cellulite and those lovely spots that we work hard to ignore or cover?! Guys, you may not get this, but if you’ve ever gone shopping with a woman you may have seen the pain in their eyes from this experience.
No matter which way you turn, you see yet another spot you can’t ignore. You must be honest with yourself or drag someone along that will be honest for you before you buy or when you get home and put the outfit on again, you’ll wonder what you were thinking. Worst case scenario, others may actually laugh out loud when you enter a room wearing that “monstrous” outfit. It then hangs in the back of your closet for the next several years until you get the courage to “donate” it to a worthy cause and finally admit the mistake.
This experience is not unlike job searching. Unless you or someone you trust does a rigorous inventory of your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll never find the outfit (read “job”) that best matches you. I personally think it’s best to have an objective partner help in this process.
In your efforts to help others look for and find work, it’s part of your job to be the 360 mirror. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it or your clients will continue to job search and never really see the true reflection of how they’re seen by others.
Some tips for being an effective 360 mirror:
Photo by Julie (autumn_bliss)
The “Un” unemployed
July 28th, 2009
I’ve created a new category in my world of helping people look for work…the “un” unemployed! Who are they? They are the working families and friends of the unemployed. I speak from experience as to the struggles THEY face as THEY watch THEIR loved ones go through the process of losing jobs and looking for work. My husband was laid off in June 2008 and is still looking for work. Seems strange and ironic that my job is all about helping people deal with barriers, find jobs and I struggle as I helplessly stand by and watch him.
Why did I choose this for my post this week? Part therapy for me—part as a reminder to check with the “un” unemployed in the lives of my clients when I can. If I’m experiencing anxieties, anger and frustration, I can only imagine how families and friends of my clients may be feeling as they watch people they care for struggle.
What can we do? Should we change our methods? Should families and friends be included in new ways as we continue our work?
Your thoughts????
Photo by Steve Polyak
Patterns (Part 4)
July 14th, 2009
Why do clients go back to old ways, patterns or beliefs? That’s been my focus for the past few postings. A comment I hear and have made is “they don’t really want to work at all” or “they’re not really interested in my help”. These may be the reasons we use or believe to be true when we see clients return to destructive ways. I’m suggesting that we are wrong!
After almost 20 years in this business I am certain two things are at play:
So we must look at ourselves—not the clients! What do you have to do differently to get this information and effectively use it? You may have to ask better questions, listen more attentively, give them permission to tell you the tough stuff, or create a safe environment for them to truly connect with you. This is an ongoing process for both you and your client. It also will be different for each individual. Therein lies the challenge!
If a client appears bored, uninterested, unmotivated, and goes back to previous destructive behaviors, check the following:
Think that will solve the issue? Check back for my next post that will address another reason why old patterns return.
Photo by lorda
Patterns (Part 3): Understanding
June 30th, 2009
Why is it people return to old patterns? That’s the question I’ve been discussing in my past two postings.
The third reason I believe this occurs is because our clients don’t know HOW to do what they’ve been asked to do or they don’t UNDERSTAND what they’ve been asked to do.
Keep in mind their world may be very different from your world. Imagine you take public transportation everywhere you go—it’s second nature to you. Now you’re working with a client helping them to prepare for the interview. You give them a bus pass so they can get to the interview. You think “they’re set”! A few days later you check back to discover they NEVER went to the interview! When you ask the reason why, they say they’ve never had to figure out which bus to take as someone has always done that FOR them!
Point: Check in and ask them BEFORE you expect them to do something. Make sure they know how to do the task you’re asking them to do! Don’t play assumicide! If they know how to do the task, the second part of this is to check with them to see if they truly understand what EXACTLY you want them to do. You may have to find a different way to say it or actually SHOW them.
It’s important, as well, to check with your clients to discover if they agree to do what has been asked. Not everybody knows what YOU know! The word is EDUCATE!
Photo by Aaron (Iotae)
Patterns (Part 2): Accountability
June 16th, 2009
In my last post I responded to a co-worker that asked “why do clients return to old patterns” by saying there’s more than one reason. Part one talked about fear.
I’ll introduce part two by asking you “if you had to do something you didn’t want to do or didn’t know how to do and nobody was checking up on you to see if you did it, would you do it?” I’ll bet the answer is “NO!” Mine is! Who wants to look bad or like a failure? You and I are not much different than our clients in this regard. Part two is all about ACCOUNTABILITY!
If you ask your clients to do something new, something they’ve never done before and you don’t check back with them to see if they do it, they probably won’t!
So this reason hinges on you! When working with your clients, it’s important to be very clear what you’re asking them to do, when they need to do it, that they agree to do it and that you WILL be checking in with them to see how it’s going! Then you must follow through and check back.
This is especially important when you first begin working with your clients. If your relationship begins this way and they know you’ll be checking in with them to see how they’re doing, they will be more likely to do what has been asked of them. So start off on the right foot.
Let them know that trying a new thing is difficult and they may need help, but that’s what you’re there to do. Offer options if something doesn’t work well, cheers when they succeed and assistance as needed. Your goal is to help them be successful.
So check with yourself regularly to make sure YOU’RE doing what you said you would! Here’s to a happy partnership with your clients!
Photo by ItzaFineDay
Patterns (Part 1): Fear
June 2nd, 2009
A colleague of mine recently posed this question, “We find some a few of our clients thriving in class and then going out doing things the same old way. What’s up with that?” I wished I could say to her that I’ve never experienced that with MY clients, but sad to say it happens. I don’t believe there is a simple answer or a “one size fits all” but I do believe there are some common themes that play into the phenomenon. Over the next few writings I’d like to share them with you and would be wildly interested in your responses!
This tops my list:
FEAR: We’re asking our clients to change, give up old patterns and beliefs for new ones. Some of these beliefs and patterns have been handed down from one generation to the next and are steeped in a rich history. The new belief or change seems easy enough to us because it’s worked for us or others and of course it will work for them in their situation. But from the client’s perspective they aren’t sure our ideas will actually work. But they’ll nod, agree and go along because that works and keeps me off their back…for a time.
So far they have survived doing things their way. So “our” ways seem foreign and may actually take them places they don’t want to go. Their desire for the new place, new job, or new environment has to be so great they’re willing to go with us into the unknown.
Know this, fear disguises itself rather craftily. It looks like avoiding, sarcasm, forgetting, being mean, ignoring, or belittling. Remember a time when you were afraid—how did you respond? For me, I use sarcasm or jokes. In reality, it’s still fear, the same as my clients. We’re not so different, are we?
The first step in dealing with the fear is to help clients, help you figure out how they react to fear. Remember, each person will react differently. In some cases, I will push them to experience a fear and watch what happens. That may sound mean, but we discover it faster and I’m there to talk them back into a rational state of mind.
Remind them fear is normal and can be a great motivator! Create small successes in the job search process. Help them deal with the fear. Offer support and encouragement. Don’t “downplay” their fears.
Remember what it feels like to do something you’re not comfortable doing? Have a little patience. Try to step into their shoes. See things from their viewpoint. Validate and offer new perspectives. Treat them as you would wish to be treated.
Next time: another reason I think old patterns are tough to break!
Photo by Jimee, Jackie, Tom & Asha
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