Reasons Coaching Empowers You
Professional Material Enhancement
- If you lack confidence in your resume, cover letters, networking emails, and overall communication, a coach provides a fresh perspective to ensure your role descriptions align seamlessly with your materials.
Boost of Confidence and Accountability
- Do you need a confidence boost and sustained support to elevate and maintain self-esteem? A coach offers encouragement and accountability, keeping you motivated as you navigate your professional journey.
Strategic Goal Mapping and Accountability
- Are you seeking a listening ear to help you map out your goals and someone to hold you accountable for achieving them? Enlist Natascha's expertise as your career coach for personalized goal-setting and dedicated support.
𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋
As we move through another transformative year, it's time to consider ending it with a mindset akin to a sabbatical—a deliberate pause to reflect, refresh, and refocus. The term "sabbatical" originates from the Hebrew word "shabbat," meaning rest. It is a period of extended leave, typically taken by professionals, to recharge and pursue personal or professional growth.
𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐉𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐘
As you wind down the year, take a moment to reflect on the various facets of your life—your relationships, health, family, and personal growth. Acknowledge the challenges and celebrate the triumphs. Embrace the power of retrospection, allowing it to guide your next steps.
𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: What were the defining moments in your life, family, health, relationships, and personal development this year?
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝐈𝐍 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
Amidst the hustle and bustle, it's crucial to recognize and appreciate the victories, big and small. Create a quick list of the moments you're proud of, whether it's a leisurely walk, a shared laugh, or a comforting hug. Celebrate making it through the year with resilience and strength.
𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: What are three accomplishments, no matter how minor, that you are proud of achieving this year?
𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍
Take a moment to dust off the vision statement you crafted at the beginning of the year. Compare it to where you stand now. Consider the progress you've made, the detours you've taken, and the lessons learned. Allow this reflection to guide your aspirations for the coming year.
𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: How has your vision for this year evolved, and what adjustments would you like to make moving forward?
𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐗 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐓
Recognize the power of relaxation as a catalyst for renewal. It's okay to reassess your goals and priorities, giving yourself the flexibility to shift timelines and expectations. Grant yourself the space to breathe, reset, and recharge for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
𝑸𝒖𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓: What goals or aspirations can you gracefully move to the next year, and how can you create a more sustainable pace for yourself?
As we approach the end of this transformative year, let the rhythm of reflection, celebration, and relaxation guide you into a new chapter.
Embrace the sabbatical mindset, and step into the coming year with renewed clarity and purpose.
Wishing you a restful and rejuvenating year-end!
Before, During, and After the Interview
BEFORE THE INTERVIEW
- Research the company’s products, services, press releases, trends, leadership, social media presence, board of directors, staff, employee reviews, and community service projects.
- Know the location of interview, length of time it will take (arrive 15 minutes early—anything earlier could be interpreted as poor time management), name of person interviewing you, correct spelling and pronunciation of name, their role, and most importantly know the job description line by line with plenty of quantifiable examples that speak to their problem.
- Prepare resume and cover letter (at least 3 copies) on clean and unwrinkled quality paper, bring a portfolio (option: LinkedIn) (Include: samples, recommendations, references, paper, and pen). Have questions ready such as: Has this position changed since it was originally created? If looking back a year from now, what would make this a successful hire for you? What is the most important thing I should aim to accomplish in the first 90 days?
- Practice answers to questions you may be asked such as why are you interested in the job, why you should be hired over other candidates, and describe a weakness.
- Impress the interviewer by dress (clean and properly fitted clothes, no loud jewelry), no body odor (shower, deodorant, but no cologne), and use positive body language, mannerisms, and speech. Be sure to display professionalism in all areas. This also means sitting up straight, firm handshake, and eye contact.
DURING THE INTERVIEW
- Ask how to address the interviewer: Mr., Mrs., Ms. Doctor, or by the first name.
- Treat all people you encounter with professionalism.
- Inquire on whether it is okay to take notes throughout the interview. (Don’t overdo it, but you may want to remember a few things or keep yourself on track.)
- Be prepared to demonstrate a skill you say you have—if you wrote on your resume you speak Spanish then be ready to speak Spanish, on the spot if asked.
- Be concise with your answers, but that still includes answering your questions with details. For example, “I am a team player”, is great. However, it's better if you don’t end there, give an example when you were a team player. Sports, classroom projects, project management, and community service are great examples.
- Don’t get stuck pulling your answers from one place. Use, ‘Tascha’s Suitcase Method.’ This means imagine you have a suitcase with seven compartments and each compartment stands for something. For example (1) Education, (2) Current Job, (3.) Past Job, (4) Community Service, (5) Hobbies/Activities, (6) Entrepreneurial, and (7) You Decide.
- Use P.A.R.— stands for Problem, Action, and Result to frame your answers to be succinct. When you are asked a question, and you know which of the areas you want to pull the answer from, then answer the question in the order of P.A.R. Now that you’ve identified seven areas for answers and you’ve learned P.A.R.—just remember to always be honest!
- Listen carefully to the interviewer and answer the questions asked. I suggest you come away with three things you learned about them. A prominent leader once said, "Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.”
AFTER THE INTERVIEW
- Ask for a business card (basically, obtain the contact information from all necessary parties). Quickly make notes so you don’t forget the critical details.
- Send a thank-you note (with specific details of the interview and a very brief mention of your interest in the job). Email is fastest and expected but handwritten notes are still acceptable and an added bonus.
- Ask an internal referral to send a short email of support. (Case by case, talk to your coach.)
- Follow up in one to two weeks if not given a specific time frame for a response as this will demonstrate your continued interest.
Be sure you take the time to connect! Although these tips are general they can be tweaked for your specific circumstance!
7 People You Need On Your Personal Advisory Board
TIME FOR YOU TO DECIDE
One mentor is not enough to guide, inspire, motivate, or challenge you to achieve your ultimate level of success. Getting a job is complex. Growing a business is complex. Navigating your next move is complex. As our society becomes more global, diverse and industries become more competitive, you cannot maximize your full potential without a team of advisors.
“Sure, your company has a board of directors, but shouldn't you have your very own board of directors too? Yes,” says Square CFO Sarah Friar.
Having a personal board of advisors that you trust provides for you a group of people who push you beyond your perceived limits. The team you assemble will provide you with resources, objective opinions and with the emotional support you may need, should you reach a life changing situation such as getting fired, laid off, promoted, falling ill or facing workplace politics.
Who is on your team now? Do you need to reassess, promote, demote or recruit?
Here are 7 types of people you need if you want to maximize your potential, build your brand, grow your network and leave a legacy:
#1 MENTOR – Your mentor should offer you a general perspective on life and career. This person should be significantly accomplished (professionally, academically, fiscally, and physically), easily trusted, models behaviors you want to emulate, dependable, authentic and an effective listener. It would also be helpful if this person has known you for a few years.
Take a moment to reflect.....
#2 CAREER COACH – Your coach should help you create a strategic plan of your career (past, present, future), help you create a vision and guide you in mapping out your goals with a timeline, be a respectable member of the community, have a strong brand, public testimonials, an extensive network of contacts, and can tell you exactly like it is and will hold you accountable in achieving your goals.
#3 SPIRITUAL / THERAPIST ADVISOR – This is crucial in maintaining your balance and in fostering a belief in something greater than yourself. There are times when you may feel as though you have hit a brick wall and you don’t know where to turn. It’s at this point your spiritual advisor can guide you with wisdom.
#4 MONEY ADVISORY – Regardless of whether or not you make $15/hr or $550/hr, a money advisor will guide you to actively save, plan for retirement, question your spending habits and help you navigate your major purchases. There is a myth that when you make a million dollars you will be more responsible. If you are not responsible over what you make now, your habits will carry over and impede your financial growth.
#5 LOCAL ROLE MODEL – Who is the expert in your industry in your own city/town? Who is the expert in your particular craft that is often quoted in your local newspaper? Who is it that you may want to be like one day? This person is needed so you can visually see and touch what is possible. By speaking with someone over dinner whose career footsteps you’d like to tread, you can also establish your local reputation. This person can give you the playbook on how they accomplished their goals right in your own backyard.
So who comes to mind?
#6 NATIONAL VIRTUAL INFLUENCER – Being able to follow a person of influence on social media can help take your career to the next level. When you are faced with certain challenges, you can look up the leader you identify with and read what articles they have written to glean current input on similar situations. Some of these leaders even have social media ‘master-mind’ groups you can join.
#7 THE PROTÉGÉ – Having a younger advisor at least 7 years your junior will keep you humble. You may realize you don’t know as much as you think you do. They will impart a renewed energy. They will tell you how they feel candidly. You’ll have the opportunity to bounce ideas off someone who may not have as much experience as you do, but they will share exactly how they feel and that input can keep you current and help propel you into 21st century leadership.
Lastly, as you consider whom to approach, let them know why you are asking them and how their success has positively impacted you. Tell them what you hope to accomplish and, based on what you know about them, what you are willing to offer in return for their guidance.
It’s important to clearly outline what will be required of them as far as length of time, frequency of meetings, methods of meetings (in person or virtual), energy, resources etc. It will give them something to think on, so they can appropriately decide if they can commit.
No matter their decision, always follow-up with a thank you and keep pushing ahead!
Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice
"Embracing the Future of Work Now" with Dr. Joanna Jenkins & Dr. Natascha Saunders
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