Looking for a new Career - Where do I start?

I love helping people find their DREAM job. Even though I am still relatively young in my own career I have be blessed to gain the experience and work with the top people in the hiring business. Most of my experience has been particular to the technology industry but the same foundation can be applied to any industry, any market, and anyone looking to find the right job.  

There are a lot of things to consider when looking for your next career move: resumes, market, staffing agencies, interviews, commute, money, and potential career growth to name a few. 

Before you start your job search you need to make sure you have a clear goal in mind. What is your motivation for a new job? 

When I talk to candidates there are often 5 main motivations on why they are seeking a new job. (In no particular order)

1. Career Growth

2. Commute

3. Environment - Culture

4. Length of opportunity - Direct Hire, Contract, Contract to Hire

5. Salary

Career Growth: 

If you feel like the position you are in has limited career growth you need to evaluate why you think it is limited. If you feel comfortable with your boss - bring it up in a one-on-one! You want to make sure you lay all your cards on the table and let upper management know you would like additional responsibilities or challenge. Yes, this can be intimidating but what is the worse they can say? "Sorry, we don't have anything!" If that is the case, you are back right where you started -  now you just know for sure!  

So what kind of career growth are you looking for - leadership, management, different technology, training, certifications? 

Once you establish what kind of career growth you are seeking you can seek those opportunities in your new job, ask about it in an interview and set expectations with your next opportunities.

Commute: 

Specifically within a large metropolitan area, commute is important. Some candidates I have talked to are completely fine driving over an hour each way, others only want a 10-15 minutes commute. If you are driving so far you have to pay hundreds of dollars in tolls and gas a short commute could help you financially and allow more time with family each day. Knowing what you want your commute to be will allow you to start with a specific territory to search in.

Environment- Culture

Have you ever worked somewhere you didn't like the culture? This could be anything from the people you work with, the office politics, or the work life balance. For example, in one of my past jobs I really enjoyed the people, my job, my clients, career growth, and $100k+ salary but... I had to work 70+ hours a week. In the end, it wasn't worth it to me.  It was hard to leave, but at the end of the day work life balance was more important to me. Every job I have had since then, I have set expectations from the beginning on what was acceptable. I don't have a problem working overtime when needed. However, I have to set boundaries - if it is a good manager - they will understand. 

Length of Opportunity 

With the change in the economy over the past decade you can take your pick on the length of opportunity you would like. There are contract, contract to hire, and direct hire. I have worked all of these! Now, just because it is a contract job doesn't necessarily mean it will be short term or that you won't have a full 40 + hour work week! The main difference between a contract / contract to hire and direct hire position is that with a direct hire position you will more than likely be paid an annual salary and have Paid Time Off. With contract or contract to hire you will be paid hourly! Thus, if you get paid for every hour you work - for example, if you work 60 hours... you get paid for 60 hours! Now, on a contract job since you are being paid hourly you will not have Paid Time Off. Usually this isn't an issue because managers will usually allow you to make up the hours or you may even be paid more per hour to help compensate. Based on what kind of length of opportunity you want that will immediately narrow down what opportunities you will entertain. 

Salary

Compensation is usually a touchy subject but one that you must be clear with to begin with. First you need to understand what you need to make as an individual or as a family to maintain your standard of living. You need to consider the TOTAL package including: annual salary, bonus options, stock options, gas, tolls, benefit costs, and vacation time. Also remember that making a move to a new job you may need to take a little bit of a hit because you are losing any seniority you may have built at your current job. When you are asking about bonuses – remember to ask how often they have paid out, this will give you an idea on the likely hood of you getting that. Benefits are probably one of the most important things to review prior to accepting a new job. Don’t be afraid to ask for the benefits when you start the interview process -you will need to know benefit costs when negotiating salary. If the benefits are great then you may be a little more flexible with your annual salary.

I always recommend candidates to rate their top three motivations. After you have identified your top three motivations then you can start looking at opportunities. If an opportunity doesn’t have any of the top three then it probably isn’t going to be the right fit. Remember, you are looking for a new career—not just any JOB.

I believe God always opens the right doors in his time. Do not get discouraged if a particular job doesn’t work out, that just means something better is right around the corner. Trust God and have faith and reassurance he has the right place for you.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Have faith,

Graceful Mrs.

DIY Picture Coasters

I first made a set of these coasters for my Mom as a Christmas gift. I got the idea off Pinterest and it looked easy enough to try. I picked 4 family pictures ranging from when my sister and I were young till recent. It was a great hit and my mom loved them! This project can be completed in about 1 hour and it so easy!

For today's coasters I am making them for our family room so I chose a simple Monogram Image.

Supplies:
 -Scissors
-Cardstock or Computer Paper
- Mod Podge
- Medium paint brush
- 4x4 cork coasters / tiles / wood tiles
*You can use a variety of materials as the base of the coaster. I have used cork boards and wood tiles. Both were easy and cheap!*

 

1.) Pick your picture or image that you would like on your coaster. Print on cardstock or computer paper. (Either will work!)

2.) Trace coaster around picture. Cut out Image.

 

 

3.) Apply a good layer of Mod Podge to the top of your coaster. Be sure to get the corners. The Mod Podge dries clear so don't worry if it gets on the edges.

 

4.) Immediately place picture on top of coaster and apply Mod Podge - smooth out. Then apply thin layer of Mod Podge on top of the image. Let dry for a couple of minutes.

 5. After the top layer of Mod Podge dries you can apply the second and third layers of Mod Podge. Remember to let dry  for a couple of minutes between each layer of Mod Podge.

**You can apply as many layers of Mod Podge as you desire. The more layers the stronger the coasters become**

Your done!!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.    1 Peter 4:10  


I hope you had fun with this project! Have a wonderful week!

Have faith,

Graceful Mrs.

DIY Birthday Calendar - Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother’s day! This past weekend my husband and I had the opportunity to visit both of our families! We spent time in fellowship and eating a lot of great food! It was fabulous!  I also was able to present my grandmother’s her Mother’s Day gift! My mother-in-law found this idea and gave me the confidence to make one! We have a large family so a birthday calendar made sense for our growing family! This birthday calendar can be made for any occasion and personalized to the individual! I put it together over two weekends however, if you get all your supplies you could knock it out in one day.

DIY Birthday Calendar

Supplies:

- Wooden Chips 1”
- Eye Hooks
- Rings (Like jewelry links on a necklace)
- Cardstock paper
- ModPodge
- 1” Circle Paper Punch
-  1 small paint brush
- Wood plaque
- Spray Paint (If needed)
- Letters (These can be cardboard, wooden, or a stencil)
- Drill – to drill the holes in the wooden chips
- Needle-nose Pliers1
- 1 Safety Pin

Decorate the Plaque

1)      Spray  Paint Wooden Plaque and letters (as desired)

2)      Let Dry

 

       3.) Glue letters onto the plaque and decorate if desired

Prepare Wooden Chips

I selected 1” wood chips. Each chip needs to have 1 hole at the top center and 1 at the bottom center.

3)      Before you drill the holes in each chip – mark with a sharpie

 

4)      Drill the holes in the wooden chips I used a 1/16” bit.

Tip: You have to be careful not to drill too close to the edge or it will snap the chip.

 

Prepare the front of the wooden chips

5)     I am not very good at using stencils and didn’t want to bother with stickers or trying to write each name and number so I decided to print the names and dates on cardstock. This allowed me to pick what font and saved A LOT of time. I just googled:  “Circle template” and found a free template that I was able to edit in PAINT.

 

6)      After I printed all the names use your circle punch! This will allow you to get a perfect circle and do it quickly! No trying to cut neatly with scissors!

 

7)      Once you have all the chips drilled and the front of the chips prepared now it is time for ModPodge! Use a small paintbrush and put a thin layer of ModPodge on the front of the wooden chip. Do not let it dry!! Place the cardstock on top immediately. After  you put the cardstock on put another thin layer of ModPodge on top.

  

8)      Let dry

  

Assemble the Chains

9)      Use a safety pin  to make the hole through the front of the cardstock. Since we only used a thin layer of ModPodge on the front the paperclip will go right through to the front from the back hole of the chip!

10)   After you create a hole you can see through thread your jewelry ring through the hole and connect the chips. I had to use needle-nose pliers to open the rings and close them but it was pretty easy!

 

11)   After you have all the chain links assembled you are ready to attach to your wooden plaque!

12)   Use a sharpie to measure and mark the board where you want to drill

13)   Drill 12 small holes evenly spaced (one for each month)

14)   Attach the chains with the eye hooks to the bottom

 

YOUR DONE!

 

 

Proverbs 31:10-12 and 25-31
A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. (NIV)

Have faith,

Graceful Mrs.