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March 11, 2009

Dear Friend:

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change”. Wayne Dyer, author/teacher

Whether you’re job hunting, in career transition, considering going out on your own, about to re-enter the workforce or scale back to part-time, there is one thing that is essential to you gaining traction: CLARITY AND FOCUS.  

And, given the current rollercoaster we’re all riding, this hot commodity seems to be challenging to come by these days, doesn’t it?

After working with thousands of successful mid-senior level professionals and entrepreneurs on strategic career planning and management over the last 20 years, my team and I have learned that before moving forward, it’s essential that you begin by answering the following three questions:

1 ) What do I want?  Not what my family or friends or mentors think I should do or what the market dictates (a nursing shortage, for example), but what do I really want? What do I want this life stage to be about? What is my heart’s greatest desire in regards to my work?

2) What do I do best? What are my innate strengths and talents? What comes naturally to me (problem solving, idea generation, building consensus/collaboration, communication, inspiring or teaching others?) and how can I begin to look at leveraging my “brilliance” so 85% of the day, I’m in flow and doing what comes easy to me. 

3) What’s a fit for me?  Based on my personality, my Myers Briggs Type, my life stage and what type of environment, work culture, boss, team, communication style, salary structure, etc. are uniquely suited to me (not everyone is a fit for GSD&M, Whole Foods,  IBM or SafePlace). What’s a fit for you?

A career strategy that is oriented towards helping you find a fit from the “inside out”—as opposed to the outside in, i.e. taking the first thing that crosses your path—is one that ensures a high likelihood of job satisfaction, fulfillment and fair compensation.

CHALLENGE:  Set aside a career date with yourself this month to reflect on and work through these questions. Or, come join us for our next Finding Your Career Mojo workshop April 3rd  from 9-11:30 a.m. in south Austin and Renee will personally guide you through exactly how to begin answering these key questions as well as give you a roadmap for moving forward.

Let us know how we can support you this spring. Whether it’s through one-on-one career or small business coaching, by sending you a DIY Job Search or DIY Career Change Toolkit, by offering resources through our online Career Management Resource Center, by sending you information on our upcoming workshops/retreats or by offering additional resources or referrals via email.

We’re here to help, and encourage you to seek out support, whether that be from us or someone else. Having a coach's support can make all the difference in how you experience the journey.

Take good care—Renee and Angela

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*NEW* DIY CAREER CHANGE AND JOB SEARCH TOOLKITS!
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Ready to make a change but need a “jump start” to help you get started?  On a tight budget or unable to allocate the resources for one-on-one coaching? Purchase a DIY Career Change Toolkit or a DIY Job Search Workshop today—only $99!   Learn more.

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HOW ARE YOU PERCEIVED? JOB HUNTER'S BRANDING CHECKLIST
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You have a lot of control over how you’re perceived throughout the interview, job search and salary negotiation process. Review this checklist to make sure you’re putting your best foot forward. And, let us know if we can help you in developing your personal brand, strategic networking, conducting informational interviews or putting together a personalized job search strategy.

Contact  info@careerstrategists.net or 512-459-6700.


**************************************************************************** UPCOMING WORKSHOPS/EVENTS ****************************************************************************

March 12: 2:00 pm, Idea Lounge 91.7 KOOP Radio or www.koop.org for live Internet streaming audio. Tune in to hear Career Strategists and Renee Trudeau & Associates president Renee Trudeau share about her personal journey, how she came to discover the power of self-care, how you can begin to tap into self-renewal and how Renee’s national women’s initiative is changing American families from the inside-out.  

March 25:  6:30 pm, Austin, TX,  International Coaches Federation, Casa de Luz.  Creating Prosperity in 2009: Partnerships and Passive Income. Renee and Living Order founder, Lorie Marrero, will share their insights and strategies around this hot topic. Check out the site for more information.  http://www.austincoaching.com/prog.htm

March 31: 7:00 pm,  Business+ Balance Austin Meeting.  Are you a self-employed mother seeking strategies and support for your life and business? This 5-year old community group was founded by Renee Trudeau and now includes more than 150 members. Learn more www.BizandBalanceAustin.org.

April 3: 9:00 - 11:30 am, south Austin: Finding Your Career Mojo Workshop, a career change seminar for professionals in career transition, held in Austin. **BONUS** An Austin DIY Job Search Toolkit by Renee Trudeau if you register before March 23rd! ($99 value)

April 24-26:   Spring Self-Renewal Retreat with Renee Trudeau at The Crossings for women in career or life transition. Don’t miss this life-changing retreat and opportunity to de-stress, reflect and refresh. Learn more or register online here. EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 3/31. A wonderful Mother’s Day gift!



Visit our calendar to view more events or learn how to register!


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HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU? VISIT OUR WEB SITE TO LEARN MORE
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Career Strategists' Personalized Services Include:

• Strategic career planning and management assistance

• Client marketing, branding and positioning services (including resume and cover letter review/development)

• Coaching on job transitioning, interviewing and salary negotiation

• Tailored job search strategy sessions

• Work/life balance coaching, groups, workshops and keynote addresses

• Entrepreneur/small business planning, start-up and marketing coaching

• Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment and interpretation sessions for individuals and groups

• Customized presentations and seminars for companies and groups


Have a Hectic Schedule? Consider Phone or Email Coaching

Have an erratic schedule but need help with your resume, salary negotiation, interviewing, preparing for your next annual performance review, jump starting your job search or creating more balance in your life? Consider setting up a phone or email coaching session. Convenient, personalized and affordable. Clients say phone/email coaching is highly effective and a great way to get laser-feedback on very specific career, small business or work/life balance issues.

Email angela@careerstrategists.net to learn more. Or, call our office at 512-459-6700 to schedule an appointment with Renee or Angela.


**************************************************************************** THINGS WE DO FOR OUR CLIENTS ****************************************************************************

Career Strategists' clients receive personalized, targeted, strategic resources, support and guidance to help them create a life and career that is aligned with their personal and professional values. Did you know we:

• Offer email coaching support to all of our clients who purchase career packages and typically respond to our clients' questions within 24 hours

• Offer a complimentary job leads service to let our clients know about jobs in Austin's "underground job market"

• Offer complimentary access to our new online password-protected Career Management Resource Center, packed with hundreds of tips, how-to lists, articles and resource lists on Career Management/Job Search, Personal Branding/Marketing and Work/Life Balance

• Provide our clients with connections and referrals to companies/organizations to help them move forward on their career or life path

• Create special exercises just for our clients to help them gain greater clarity and focus while navigating their career path

• Offer a discount to all current Career Strategists' clients on single sessions

Check out our coaching packages and fees to learn more about our services and don't hesitate to call or email to let us know how we can help you. (Note: we have different rates levels based on which Career Strategists’ coach you work with.)

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PLEASE SHARE THESE RESOURCES WITH THOSE WHO CAN USE THEM
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Feel free to forward this newsletter on to friends/colleagues who could benefit from the information.

Career Management Resources is an online newsletter published quarterly by Career Strategists. Please let us know if you are receiving duplicate copies of the newsletter so we may correct this error.

Copyright© 2008 Renee Trudeau, Career Strategists. All rights reserved.

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