March 19, 2008
Live Q & A | Making your career work for you
Bio
Michelle GoodmanAuthor of the "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube" (Seal Press) and the popular blog, Anti9to5Guide.com.
A full-time freelance writer, she frequently contributes articles on job satisfaction and work/life balance to The Seattle Times and NWjobs.
Thank you for participating in the live Q&A session on how to make your career work for you. Local author Michelle Goodman answered the following career-related questions from readers during a live one-hour session.
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View more of Michelle's articles on NWjobs
A: Don't take it personally. When feeling discouraged, look over your resume, portfolio, letters of recommendation, and any other proof you have of your qualifications for work to remind yourself that you're a good candidate. You may also want to try volunteering in the industry you're trying to infiltrate. Often you'll make great contacts that can help you get hired.
Q: How can I transition from an academic position to a biotech company position? I work at the UW and have 20 years experience as a research scientist. I have applied for many years for a job in biotech companies including for jobs where I had all the experience requested. I have never been invited for an interview. I had my resume written twice by resume911 and it didn't help. So I wonder what is the secret to get hired in a biotech company if you have never worked in a biotech company. Any advice?
A: Have you tried asking for and going on an informational interview at a biotech company? They can probably tell you better than anyone what you're looking for -- and possibly even how to adjust your resume.
Q: How do I compensate on a resume for no college? I see quite a few jobs I have experience in but the companies request college. I don't want them to think I didn't read what they required, but on the other hand if I know I can do it...
Thanks!
A: I would make your case in a cover letter. Address the issue head on.
Q: Hi,
I'm trying to get started as a freelance writer. I have a background in research. I've started volunteering to build a portfolio of writing samples. How difficult or competitive a market is freelance writing? What do you think are the kinds of samples I should start building in my portfolio? (brochures, ad copy, articles, grant proposals, scripts?). Can you suggest any online resources (besides those you already mentioned) that might be specific to freelance writing? I have the Peter Bowerman and the Margit Ragland books.
A: Freelance writing is competitive, but because there's so much work to go around I don't think it's a barrier to entry. I would just pick which direction you want to go in -- corporate work, journalism, grants, etc. I'm a big fan of www.renegadewriter.com
Q: I am interested in opening a home based business that run errands for people and to also be like a personal assistant to people. Is there a demand out there for this type of business? Would people pay for this? Do you have any suggestions on how I would get started?
A: Yes! As I said to an earlier poster, being a virtual assistant or personal assistant is a hot hot hot career right now. And there are even programs that train you to be a virtual assistant. Just Google. One VA I know charges $40/hr. She has three years of experience as a self-employed VA.
Q: Hello, I want to start my own business in a doggie daycare, however, I do not have any skills with animals although I have one of my own I have NO business skills. I have my BA in Business and my Associates in Law. I love animals and am sick of working for over-powering managers. I also just had my first child. Where should I start? Do I need to get training in animal care? My other option is to work from home helping businesses to organize their companies...I love organization and loved studying about the about how companies lost their businesses because of lack of organization and trust and wanted to do something like that for a company. Do you have any thoughts?
A: For the dog business, I would volunteer at a dog day care center to see how such businesses operate. If you don't have that kind of time, talk to people in these businesses and ask them your burning questions. You can also find a lot of articles on the topic online. While there is no accreditation as far as I know for running a dog care business, getting a background in dog training can certainly make you more appealing to potential clients.
The second career you describe -- a virtual assistant -- is a hot career for self-employed people right now. There are associations that teach people the fine art of being a VA. Just Google "virtual assistant." If you already have the admin skills, you're halfway there!
Q: I'm in the social service field as a Counselor/Case Manger. I'm looking to move into a more business approach with human resources/peer relations/ consulting. I'm looking for more experience in the HR field to be able to land one of these jobs at a Bigger company. I will be attending a Master's Program in occupational psychology for more education. Do you have any suggestions that will help me land a better paying and more satisfying job?
A: For the dog business, I would volunteer at a dog day care center to see how such businesses operate. If you don't have that kind of time, talk to people in these businesses and ask them your burning questions. You can also find a lot of articles on the topic online. While there is no accreditation as far as I know for running a dog care business, getting a background in dog training can certainly make you more appealing to potential clients.
In addition to the advanced degree, I would also talk to people in the positions you covet and ask how they got to where they are today. What training did they need? What jobs did they start with? What professional organizations do they belong to? A simple Google search can probably locate a few such people you can invite to lunch for such a brain-picking session (one at a time, that is).
Q: I'm in the social service field as a Counselor/Case Manger. I'm looking to move into a more business approach with human resources/peer relations/ consulting. I'm looking for more experience in the HR field to be able to land one of these jobs at a Bigger company. I will be attending a Master's Program in occupational psychology for more education. Do you have any suggestions that will help me land a better paying and more satisfying job?
A: In addition to the advanced degree, I would also talk to people in the positions you covet and ask how they got to where they are today. What training did they need? What jobs did they start with? What professional organizations do they belong to? A simple Google search can probably locate a few such people you can invite to lunch for such a brain-picking session (one at a time, that is).
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Q: Hello! I have been searching for the right opportunity for a while now (changing both industries and job functions). Since I haven't been successful in getting a position that is a good fit with growth opportunity, I need to probably change my tactics. Any suggestions on how to maintain motivation during the rollercoaster of job searching?