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 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.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

I hope everyone has had a blessed Easter weekend! My husband and I went to church this morning and I was in awe of how many people came. The sanctuary sits over 2,000 people and I didn't see an empty seat. It was amazing and humbling. Thankful that my God sent his son Jesus to die on the cross for all of our sins so that we may have eternal life! Today we celebrate the empty tomb. Knowing that he rose from the dead on the third day is true evidence that one day all the saved will ascend to heaven with our glorified bodies.  What a day that will be!

Last week I came across an Easter treat that I thought was just too cute not to try. However, let me prep you by admitting I am in no means a “baker.” Usually when I try out a treat they end up nothing like the original pictures. These did not end up an exact replica as the original picture but close enough.

Ingredients you will need:
·         ½ cup butter
·         ¾ cup sugar
·         1/8 tsp salt
·         3 eggs
·         6 cups shredded coconut
·         ¼ cup Nutella
·         Mini Easter egg candy

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then using an electric mixer or food processor mix the butter, sugar, and salt.

2.       Add eggs, one at a time, until mixed thoroughly. Mix in Coconut.

3.      Drop batter onto cookie shoot by tablespoons. Using a scooper or a spoon shape into little nests. Batter will be kind of hold to mold. I found that if I shaped the nests with my fingers it worked better. Make sure if you use a scooper to make an indent in the middle of the nest that you leave some coconut for the bottom.

4.      Bake. The recipe called to baked to 20 -25 minutes but mine ended up taking almost 30 minutes. Just keep watch on them until they are golden brown around the bottom edges and top.

5.      When removing the nests from the cookie sheet be careful! A couple of mine tried falling apart when I was getting them up. Mine had a brown cooked edge around the bottom. If you don’t like the brown edge you can peel this part off to make prettier nests.

6.      Wait until Nests are completely cooled. Spoon a little Nutella into each Nest. Instead of using a spoon I ended up putting some Nutella in a plastic zip-lock bag, cutting one corner, and piping a little into each nest. This will help get the Nutella into the Nest in a less messy way.

7.      After Nutella is in each Nest – smooth over with a spoon

8.      Top with Easter Egg Candy

9.      ENJOY! I am taking mine to work tomorrow so my husband and I don’t have to eat these by ourselves!

Total the recipe made about 23

 
********
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."  Matthew 28:1-10

Have faith,

Graceful Mrs.

Source Original link: http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2014/04/edible-obsession-easter-egg-macaroon-nests/

A Grandfather's Legacy

It’s been a week from today. My grandfather fell asleep and woke up in paradise. 

It wasn’t too unexpected as he had been in the hospital for several weeks and even though we know he is relieved from pain and suffering we still are selfish and long for him to be with us here today.

This past week I had an opportunity to listen to stories from family, friends, and people I have never met but knew him.  Everything really got me thinking about my own legacy.  What will people remember about you when you are gone?

I knew my grandfather impacted a lot of people.  I just didn’t realize HOW many people.

My grandfather never finished high school. If I recall correctly, he dropped out after the 8^th grade to help his family. Back then, he felt he was more of an asset helping his family and working. He met my grandmother when she was in her late teens and he was in his early twenties. They married and had my mom, 14 months later they had my aunt, and a little over a year later they had my uncle. All together they ended up having 5 children. My grandfather made his living off being a paint contractor. Being from a small town everyone came to know him and if they needed a painter he was the first one they called.

When I walked into the funeral home last Thursday, Max, the owner of the funeral home, was waiting for my family. I had drove in from out of town so I made it a little early and was the first to arrive. I had never met Max before and the first thing he asked me was who I belonged too. I told him who my mother was and come to find out, he had gone to school with her.  (Normal in a small town) Max also had known my grandfather since he was a boy. His dad owned a carpet business and worked very closely with my grandfather on contracting jobs around town. Max’s dad would put in the carpet and my grandfather would do the paint. He said that my grandfather was one of his heroes growing up. He would often have to tag along with his father to his installs and many of the contractors didn’t want children around. Many contractors would complain or not even acknowledge him. But my grandfather always treated him like a young man – a gentleman. My grandfather would teach him what he was doing, talk and share stories about growing up or his own kids -- all while chewing and spitting his tobacco. (I’ll personally never forget the comforting smell of beech-nut chewing tobacco) A kind heart, respect, and truth had a major impact on Max as a boy. Max said he stopped dreading going to the contracting jobs and started enjoying going to help. Now 50 years later he laughs as he recalls numerous stories throughout his childhood.

My grandparents were married for 60 years. They had their ups and downs and overcame all obstacles that came their way. Since my grandmother never learned to drive my grandfather would drive her everywhere – church, work, and the grocery store. While my grandmother shopped he would wait patiently for her in the car in the parking lot with the window rolled down.  A met a lady at his visitation who had said that is where she met him. She worked in a store next to the grocery store.  One day while she was on her break she struck up a conversation with him.  She didn’t know who he was but saw him frequently patiently waiting on my grandmother.  From then on if she ever saw him waiting she would go chat with him. She said that she always enjoyed their conversations and admired his deep love for his wife, family, and the community.  Unfortunately, love and commitment it just isn’t as frequent these days. He gave her hope and reassured her good people still existed.

Since he had such a large family he came up with the solution to plant a garden to provide vegetables throughout the year. He knew everything there was to know about gardening: When to plant what vegetables, what to vegetables to plant next to each other, what pesticides to use for bugs. One year he even bought guinea chickens to eat the grasshoppers.  Those were fun! Some of my oldest memories are going through his garden and looking at the onions, corn, and squash trying to decide if they were ready to pick. I always loved working in his garden and any vegetables left over he often would give them away to the neighbors and friends! He was always looking to provide for his family and anyone else who he could help.

I could go on and on for days on the precious memories and stories. At his funeral the pastor mentioned my grandfather going on a men’s retreat and praying for his wife, our family, and friends.  He was always thinking of others and glorifying God in everything he did.

He led a great legacy, one that won’t be forgotten. I’ll tell these stories to my future children and reminisce with my 10 + cousins about cracking Easter eggs on his bald head every Easter. (I’m pretty sure that is why he had a knot on his head)

Instead of being sad or upset, I am humbled, happy, and super thankful. I’m thankful he knew and trusted God. I’m thankful I got to witness to a strong marriage between my grandparents.  I’m thankful I got to witness a wonderful love and commitment to family, friends, and community.

We have this Hope as an Anchor for the Soul, Firm and Secure. Hebrews 6:19

Have faith,

Graceful Mrs.