Career Coaching

There’s a lot of hype at the moment about knowing your personal brand.  Let’s break it down – what is a personal brand, and why is a personal brand important in career search as well as managing your career? What is a personal branding statement? When I coach career and leadership coaching clients, we often talk about a personal brand – a simple 1-2 sentences that speak to:  1) your unique gifts and  2) how you add value.  Notice I put the emphasis on simple.  I have noticed there is a tendency on resumes these days to put a few objective lines at the top of a resume and throw in every buzzword known to man, in the desperate hopes of seo optimization and hoping that something you say will resonate with someone. “I seamlessly utilize my core strengths of teamworking, project management, financial acumen and strategic thinking to empower global organizations to create cost beneficial forward-thinking solutions on the cutting edge of digital transformation that drive efficiency, effectiveness and create a happier and healthier workforce.” This doesn’t work, just in case you were wondering, and often recruiters dismiss this as unnecessary fluff.  The paragraph long sentences also read like something out of a Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, and I didn’t like the Scarlet Letter the first time I read it. “I utilize my project management skills to help organizations deliver efficient, effective, digital solutions.” Much better – easier to read, easier to comprehend, and easier to tell the story of YOU. Why is a personal brand important in career search? Your resume then should speak to this statement.  Imagine you’re telling a story.  And the personal branding statement is the 30,000 foot up airplane view of you and your career.  Your resume should then read to explain how you have managed to do this for the organizations that have been graced by your amazing presence.  Consistency is key, and it’s super helpful in getting someone to remember you and what you bring to the table.  Besides, human beings are natural story tellers.  We like them, it’s our way of summarizing things and making sense of the world. Why is a personal brand important in managing your career? But I’m not switching jobs, so what does this matter?  Does this mean I don’t need to worry about a personal brand? Wrong again. Because in your day job, you’re always marketing yourself, always selling yourself, for that next all-important project, that next promotion.  And if you’re not the guy or gal on management’s radar for that particular role based on what they know about you, you’ll get overlooked. Ask yourself this:  How do you want to be perceived in your organization?  What do you want to be known for? And then think about:  How you are actually perceived in your organization?  What are you known for? Better yet, ask a few trusted souls to answer those last two questions on your behalf.  You might be surprised at the answers you get. If […]

Life is full of annoying administrative tasks you have to do.  You may be thinking, why should I add another one to the mix?  Besides, isn’t my boss responsible for guiding my career and sharing developmental opportunities with me?  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  One of my favorite sayings in life comes from the immortal mouth of the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland – “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” What is a Personal Development Plan? A personal development plan is a succinct document that summarizes three important things: 1) Your key skills and experiences to date 2) How you’re looking to develop your skills for the future 3) What roles you’re looking to aspire to as you progress your career When I help career coaching and leadership coaching clients put one of these together, we often start backwards and answer question three:  Where do you want to go with your career?  That then informs what skills/experiences you will need to get there – which is question two.  What skills may you be lacking?  What experiences will help you grow and make you the right candidate for that coveted role? The value of a Personal Development Plan To the extent you’re focused and actively managing your career, opportunities won’t literally pass you by.  That pet project that will give you added visibility?  You’ll know to ask for it, particularly if you’re looking for the all-important promotion.  And the added benefit of asking your line manager to complete the personal development plan exercise with you, means it’s also on their radar screen as well. Who needs a Personal Development Plan? You do, no matter how early or late you are in your career, no matter what track your career is on.  It’s important you start thinking about this right away when you’re in a new job.  And if it’s not on your manager’s radar screen, initiate the conversation yourself.  Prepare a draft, ask for their input.  Ultimately, it’s up to you to be in the driving seat of your career!   Shelley Pernot is a leadership and career coach who is passionate about helping her clients discover their strengths and talents and find a career that utilizes them.  Reach out to me here for a free consultation to learn more about the coaching process and how it may benefit you!

Should I Call an Austin Career Coach? Perhaps you’re thinking it’s time for a promotion?  Or maybe a career change?  What about starting your own business?  Or maybe you’re wondering if you’ll ever manage to find a career your feel passionate about because you’re living a version of groundhog day, doing the same thing day in and day out.  A career coach in Austin, TX, can help you explore these questions as well as challenge your beliefs that may be holding you back from success. Career Coaches Understand Today’s Recruitment Methods Linkedin, Indeed – the bottom line is the job market has changed.  You upload your resume into a nameless, faceless database and you never hear back.  How can this be – you were perfect for that job!  Recruiting has changed too, whether we like it or not.  How can a person possibly stay abreast of all the latest developments?  A career coach in Austin is skilled at helping you navigate this new and confusing world. Hire a Career Coach in Austin to Find Clarity Wondering how to start a whole new career path?  Shelley Pernot has access to a number of helpful assessments like the Highlands Ability Battery that provide much needed clarity on your strengths and natural abilities.  Once your strengths have been identified and the way forward becomes more clear, she provides tips and techniques for making a smooth career transition. Your Free Consultation Starts the Process Shelley is excited to help you with your next career decision. Contact Shelley Pernot today for your complementary career coaching consultation by filling out this form or calling (512) 200-4269.  If you’re wanting to get a jump start on finding your dream job, download chapter two of her book Running on Empty here, it’s filled with countless tips and exercises to get you thinking. .

 i How Can I Find a More Fulfilling Career? Career coaches get this question all the time: how can I find a more fulfilling career? The answer starts with what you should not do to achieve that aim. Do not be complacent, do not be content to complain about your current career, do not think the grass is greener. Complaining about your current situation will get you nowhere and worsen your mood without actually accomplishing anything. How Can a Career Coach in Austin Help? A career coach is going to help you to figure out the “why” instead of the “what”. Asking “what do you want to do instead?” is putting the horse before the cart. Instead, we want to ask “why?” Why do you get up in the morning? Why are you unhappy in your current career? Why do you think changing careers is important? Once you know the why, the what will fall into place naturally. This is the job of a successful career coach, to guide you through this discussion. Seeing a Career Coach in Austin, TX Shelley Pernot is a career coach and counselor in Austin, Texas who has a wealth of experience with career coaching. Pernot was struggling with her own career a number of years ago. When she eventually figured out what was wrong, it was simple enough: she hated what she was doing. So, you could say Shelley Pernot has personal experience with the struggle that many of her clients are dealing with.  Contact Shelley Pernot for Career Coaching in Austin If you’re struggling in your career or thinking of switching careers, Shelley Pernot can likely help. If you’re interested in having an initial career coaching session with Shelley, fill out this form or call (512) 200-4269. If you want an introduction to how Shelley’s coaching style, you may want to download a free chapter of her new book Running on Empty here.

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Life is Hard. Finding Your Passion Doesn’t Have to Be. Think about it. When you were young and immature you were handed one of the biggest decisions you can make. You were supposed to decide what you wanted to do for the rest of your life. At 18, it’s often a struggle to even decide where you want to eat your next meal, let alone decide how to spend the next 40+ years. The reason that so many people are often left unsatisfied with their life is because they are tasked with making a career decision before they are ready. People change. Things change. If you feel stuck or stagnant in life maybe it is time to look introspectively at what it is you truly want or desire out of life. If it’s your career that is draining your happiness, maybe career coaching is for you. Take it from me, I understand what it feels like to stare at the clock blankly waiting for the time to pass until you can escape. Many years and dollars later I have discovered my passion and want to help you do the same.   You Don’t Have to Be on the Verge of Career Crisis Career coaching is not reserved for those who who are at the point of storming out of the office yelling “I QUIT”. Everyone goes through phases of general dissatisfaction with their careers. Hey, life isn’t perfect. The beauty of my career coaching services is that no matter how trivial or tremendous your career troubles, I can help you refocus or redirect your passion and talent. Find Your Why With Career Coaching My career coaching includes a process that is proven to work. Here’s why: most career consultants often focus too much on the what. You take several tests that cost hundreds of dollars to end with a career suggestion such as “teacher” or “software engineer”. This may be a starting place, but not the right one. What you truly need to discover is the why. Why you do what you do. To find the source of your drive, I will guide you through a series of questions such as: What is that one thing that gets you excited every morning? Why do you do what you do? Why are you unhappy in your career? Why is one career path more appealing to you than another? Once you answer these essential questions, you are ready to learn how. Ready to Learn How?   Once we have figured out the essential “why”, the next step is learning how. We’ll build an actionable plan so that you can seamlessly integrate your newfound passion into your life. Not only will I help you create this actionable plan, but I will give continuous support to ensure that your passion is being followed. My career coaching is here to help propel you towards your goals. Don’t Wait for Your Life to Pass You By. Reach Out to Me Today If you feel that you […]