Assessing Your Career’s Next Steps

ASSOCIATIONS NOW, October 2008 , Community now

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Ever wonder how working with a career coach or resume reviewer can benefit you and your career? We asked a few of this year’s Annual Meeting & Expo coaching and resume session participants who took part in the Career Connection Center, hosted by CareerHQ.org, about the biggest takeaway or lesson they received. Here are a few of their responses:

"I participated in the resume service provided by Janice Worthington. I learned that as time moves on, we have a tendency to reuse the formatting of our resumes job after job. Janice brought to my attention that as you progress up the corporate ladder, it may be necessary to use different formatting and to add information that you may not feel is relevant."
Lori L. Burke
Woodbridge, Virginia

"The biggest takeaway I had was an emphasis on the benefits of networking and “thinking outside the box” in terms of ways to connect with other organizations."
Julie Jackson
Executive Director
CAI-Georgia

"The biggest takeaway from my coaching session with is to stay focused on where I want to go/be in the future. My coach emphasized that I should use every opportunity I have to “build my brand” to get me to my final goal."
Julie M. Anderson
Senior Specialist,
Continuous Professional Development
American College of Rheumatology

"When working with a new manager, specify your job expectations to them and have them articulate what they expect of you. Determine from the outset how you will regularly communicate if both parties’ expectations are being met."
Carrie Heath
Senior Program Associate,
Partnerships and Advocacy
Council of Chief State School Officers

"I was asked a series of questions, based on a self-assessment, which triggered thoughts and observations pertaining to my personal and professional commitments and goals. My biggest takeaway is to take time during my personal and professional schedule to check in with who I am as an individual. I need to remain authentic and genuine and not lose sight of the drive, strength, and passion that I have for what I do on a personal and professional level."
Bana Q. Yahnke
Director of Communications and Marketing
Family Career and Community Leaders

"The biggest takeaway for me from my coaching session was to better appreciate, embrace, and leverage my personality traits in my professional life. The process my coach led me through also allowed me to stretch beyond my comfort zone to deal with some very difficult professional issues. Despite being uncomfortable, I allowed myself to be vulnerable and address those issues head on."
Shawn Boynes
Senior Director of Education
Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology