Career Foresight | Future of Work for Creative Professionals

I couldn’t resist doing something a little different for episode 100. So I’m going to keep it short and sweet and do some reflecting with you. In this episode I‘m sharing: What reaching 100 episodes feels like and means to meWhat to expect over the next few months on the podcastYou can find full show notes and a transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/100

As my baby’s due date is quickly approaching and I’m about to enter the world of motherhood, I couldn’t think of a better guest to have on the Career Foresight podcast than Diana Cregan. Diana is a career coach who specializes in helping women reconnect with their professional identities and navigate the job market after taking time away from the workforce to focus on raising their children. Her coaching business is Back to Work Roadmap for Mothers and she was kind enough to share her expertise and wisdom on this topic with us in today’s conversation. In this episode we discuss:The most common mindset barriers women face when they are ready go back to work after taking time off for their familiesThe misconceptions people have about the role recruiters play in landing jobs, and what you can do to actually make a difference in your job searchHow to know when you’re ready to go back to work as a mom, and what steps to takeFind full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/moms-back-to-work

Anyone who’s had either a great boss, or a bad boss, knows how important workplace relationships are for feeling happy at work. But it can be really challenging to assess what a workplace is like, and how people interact with each other from the outside looking in when you’re career changing. With the people I coach, those who have experienced negative work environments in the past have a lot of trepidation about starting over at a new company. “What if I end up in the same situation I just left?” “How can I know if my boss will really have my back?” “The company culture sounds great on paper, but what if it’s all just marketing?” I’ve heard all of those concerns and I understand them from the bottom of my heart. It is hard to assess an organization from the outside to know if it's a good fit for you or not. But it’s not impossible! By following a few practices and asking the right questions, your ability to determine if a company is a good fit for you or not will go way up! In this episode I’ll share:The challenges of assessing a workplace from the outside, and tips to work around themWhy looking at team-level factors is more important than company culture factorsQuestions to ask before accepting a job offer to gauge fitYou can find show notes and a complete transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/company-fit

I’m pretty sure that peace is one of those things that you could never have too much of! We could all use more peace in our lives, right?Especially now as we’re going on month 9 of the Covid pandemic and quarantine, and things are looking worse for the next few weeks. Prioritization may seem like a funny thing to talk about when so many of the things we enjoy in life are no longer possible or guaranteed. However, the skill of prioritization can be applied to mindset, thoughts and goals in the same way it can be applied to our time or activities. And by doing that, we can experience greater peace.In this episode I share:Why prioritization is key for experiencing peace in life & careerWhat we tend to do instead of practicing prioritizationHow to know when prioritization is lacking, and ideas for implementing it in your lifeYou can find show notes and a complete transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/peace-through-prioritization 

Helping people uncover and articulate their strengths is one of my favorite parts of coaching! It’s such an empowering experience when people learn how to articulate what it is they are great at and why. Exploring strengths is where I usually start with my career coaching clients, so I thought it would be a great topic to share more about on the podcast, too!In this episode I’ll share:What strengths are and how to find yoursHow working in your strengths helps you to thrive at workWhy people who know their strengths and leverage them are happier and earn moreFind show notes, including a full transcript, here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/strengths-fulfilling-career

I hear push back from clients all the time about if spending their time writing customized resumes and cover letters is really worth it. Their past experiences tell them it isn’t, and I have to ask them to trust me. What they find is, learning to position themselves on paper is actually very rewarding, genuine and gets results. Compared to the average job searcher who sends out dozens of job applications, my clients, on average, only need to apply to two jobs before being offered an interview. And, maybe the best part is, when they get that interview offer they feel ready. The effort they put into their “paper” application prepares them to kill their interview and do so confidently. In this episode I’ll share:Why writing tailored resumes AND cover letters is worth the time investment in your job searchHow to identify resume-worthy achievements & write about themWhat a cover letter’s real purpose is and how to write one that stands outYou can find full show notes, a transcript + a FREE downloadable cheat sheet with template resume statements here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/positioning-yourself-job-search

I work with a lot of clients whose goal is to pivot into a tech role or join a tech company. They want to be on the forefront of innovation, and benefit from the salaries, flexibility and growth tech jobs can offer. Since you chose to listen to this episode, I’m guessing that you identify with these desires, too. Whether you see yourself as “techy” or not--if you’re driven, think outside the box and are motivated to make a positive change in your career and life, this episode will help you learn how to position yourself for your next role in tech. In this episode I’ll share:Why creative professionals are well-positioned to transfer into tech companies and roles The 5 most in-demand skills for creatives in tech How you can show you possess these skills, even without a background in techFind full show notes + a transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/5-top-skills-creatives-tech

I am loving today’s topic because it’s diving into a question that takes a lot of foresight to answer correctly for yourself. It’s the question of whether a job change, or a career change would best resolve the tension you may be experiencing in your work life.So without further ado, let’s get into it. In this episode I’ll share:How to know you’re ready for some sort of career transitionWhat questions to ask yourself to decide if changing jobs, or careers is the best route for youWhy career changing isn’t as daunting as it soundsFind full show notes + a transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/job-career-change

Over the past two weeks I’ve hosted a series of free calls for people who were struggling to get traction in their job search. I decided to offer these free calls after seeing post after post on LinkedIn from people sharing similar experiences. They had been applying to dozens of jobs without hearing back from employers or being offered an interview. I wanted to talk to people who were experiencing this to learn more about what they were doing and to see how I could help. Everyone I spoke with had a unique situation, background and specific areas that needed the most attention in their job search effort. However, there was definitely a unifying pain point, which is what I want to address in this episode. The pain point everyone mentioned was a feeling of chaos and frenzy related to their job search. Constant scrolling of job sites and applying to so many positions they couldn’t even keep them straight. Job searching is stressful. There’s little way to get around that, especially if you are currently unemployed or in an unhealthy work environment. But making tweaks in how you approach your job search to be more strategic and focused can completely transform your experience, and success, when applying to jobs. In this episode I’ll share:What most job seekers get wrong at the start of their job search Where to start a strategic job search that will yield maximum resultsA special resource to help you navigate job searching with more easeFind full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/start-strategic-job-search

I decided to tackle this topic after receiving a great suggestion from my friend Kirsten. To help frame today’s discussion, I’m going read what Kirsten shared she feels is missing in the conversations and advice regarding careers: I've been loving this idea of figuring out the skills and expertise you have, not just in your career but in your life, and how you can combine those and transfer into other jobs or careers you might not have known were a good fit for you. I think we grew up focusing on going after a specific career or job, but with as quickly as some types of jobs go away and new ones pop up these days, it makes more sense to me to focus on acquiring skills and expertise in a range vs. going after a specific job. Figuring out how to transfer those is sometimes tricky, especially if you didn't know an industry or career that needs those skills even existed! - KirstenI love this conversation because it touches on many elements of what building a creative career is all about! So let’s get into it.In this episode I’ll share:How to figure out the skills and expertise you have outside of your work experienceWays to apply “homegrown” skills to your careerHow to show you possess skills earned outside of your career when applying to jobsI’ll be sharing examples and some case studies from myself, friends and clients alike to help spark ideas for how you can do this, too!You can find full show notes, links and a transcript here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/building-holistic-career

This is a question I’ve seen posed a lot on LinkedIn and in articles during the Covid pandemic. When the effects of the virus reached the economy, many people lost their jobs and many companies put their hiring plans on hold. However, while the circumstances of the pandemic economy are unique, the experience of applying to jobs and not hearing back is a problem that people have experienced, and will continue to experience, despite there being a pandemic. I personally know how deflating it can be to experience this on the job market. So I am happy to be able to share some insight and tactics for overcoming this scenario from a career strategy and foresight perspective. In this episode I’ll share:What factors may be at play that are contributing to the “silence” you’re experiencing on the job marketHow you can adapt your job search strategy to increase your odds of hearing back from employers and landing an interviewHow to use your time in between employment to increase your career opportunitiesThen, I'm answering a listener question from Maggie about how people with “no” experience land jobs in fields or positions they’ve never worked.Find full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/not-hearing-back-job-applications

The past week I’ve been reflecting a lot on what this past year of starting and building my business has been like. Right now, I’m in a pretty good place. I feel confident in my role as a coach and have seen my clients succeed again and again.But it felt a little cheap to just call it all positive success when the reality is that most of the year was a struggle.I really wanted to celebrate this first year with you, but to do so in a way that was honest and beneficial for others who are on the journey of building something creative—whether it’s your own business, a passion project, your career, family or something entirely different.I chose to take a month-by-month look at what actually happened this past year, and how it all felt.I hope it encourages you to keep pressing on in your good work!In this episode I share:How long building momentum took for my businessA month-by-month breakdown of the experiments, challenges and wins I had over the past yearHow I found my footing in the first year of business chaosFind full show notes here: https://jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/first-year-business

Danielle is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a podcast host, speaker, ballroom dance instructor and actor—to name a few of her titles. She fully embraces being multi-passionate and has built a diverse career. But it wasn't always that way. In this episode, she shares her journey of self-discovery and the role her career played in that journey. In this episode we discuss:Danielle's story of building her creative career and the process of slowly chipping away at the question, "What am I supposed to be doing?"The tension of being "in the middle" of a story that has yet to be resolved, and how to stay grounded in the midst of itWhy breakdowns have to happen before we can have breakthroughs, and how to recognize when you're getting close to having oneThis conversation was so special and delightful, I can't wait to share it with you!To find the full show notes, including a complete transcript, please go to: https://jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/danielle-ireland

Rachel is the co-founder and CEO of Wethos, a platform that is transforming how freelancers find work, do work and earn a sustainable income. There are many things that make Wethos different from other freelancing platforms and networks, including their focus on working within teams, winning large contracts and how Wethos pays their freelancers. What Rachel and her team are building truly is revolutionary, and it makes me even more excited for the future of work.In this episode we cover:The challenges and limitations of how the freelancing economy typically works for creative professionalsHow Wethos is disrupting the industry by creating a platform that allows freelancers to work as teams on bigger, higher-paying projects What makes Rachel most excited about the future of work, and how Wethos is both creating and adapting to itCheck out the full show notes for more info, a transcript and links to resources: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/rachel-renock

Today’s topic and episode is blowing my mind. There are pieces of it that tie into every past season of the Career Foresight podcast as well as providing insight for the future of work.Saying, “I’m excited,” is an understatement. I’m going back to my podcasting roots on this episode by focusing the discussion on findings from a research article. In this case, it’s an article from the March-April 2020 edition of the Harvard Business Review. The article is titled, “What’s Really Holding Women Back? It’s Not What Most People Think.” It was researched and authored by Robin J. Ely, who is the Diane Doerge Wilson Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and the faculty chair of the HBS Gender Initiative, and Irene Padavic, who is the Mildred and Claude Pepper Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Florida State University. In this episode I’ll share:What most people (women, men, business leaders and subordinates alike) believe is keeping women from advancing to positions of powerHow the research and data on this topic disproves that assumption, and what is really derailing women's career trajectories  Why we need to broaden our views on the issue of workplace equality and check our biasesYou can find the full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/gender-inequality-narrative

The reason I decided to share this episode is because I have been outraged and extremely disappointed by some of the business I’ve worked with recently. I have learned a lot from these mistakes, and it has been humbling and embarrassing. As a small business owner who works primarily with 1-on-1 coaching clients, customer service and satisfaction is essential. I do everything in my power to help my clients be successful in their career transitions and to treat them with respect and understanding in the process. My clients get the results they were looking for, which is why my business has been able to grow quite quickly this past year. My business is built on past successes, not fancy marketing. When a prospective client is considering working with me, I do not take that lightly. I understand that it is usually a significant financial investment and I honor their decision whether they choose to work with me or not. If they do choose to invest in me as their coach, you had better believe I do what I can to go above and beyond their expectations. All that being said, what I will be sharing in this episode is my own rules for evaluating financial decisions for my business including things like business coaching, courses, services, contractors and technology. I challenge you to create your own rules for evaluating financial investments, or adapt mine. And, I welcome you to use rules like this to evaluate working with me if you’re in search of a career coach. I promise to run my business and offer my services with integrity, and with you in mind. In this episode I’ll share:Some background on my most regretted financial investmentsMy 8 new rules for evaluating my financial decisionsWhy we should be prepared for an onslaught of marketing messages encouraging to spend more post-COVID 19 lockdownFind full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/financial-decisions

There has been a lot of talk about what life will look like post-COVID-19 lockdown. Recently, what has been most compelling to me about the future is how  this experience will shape our relationship with control. The COVID-19 pandemic has been eye-opening for everyone. It has certainly provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate our expectations for how life “should” go, and what the implications of not having that type of control are. It’s my hope that this collective experience sparks an awakening in people. And that as individual people and as a society alike, we will stop letting fears and insecurities guide and govern our decision making. Rather, I hope to find that we become more intentional and at peace with how we choose to live our lives. I’m excited to explore this topic with you today!In this episode I’ll share:Why we are obsessed with control, but it’s always an illusionWhy confronting the reality that we always live in uncertainty is beneficialHow we can reevaluate what type of “normal” we go back toThen, I’m answering a listener question from Talia about the most important skills to possess to be successful in a start-up technology company.

I’ve made a lot of voluntary career changes in the past five years. But the first career change I made after graduating college was anything but voluntary. I was let go instantly, without any notice. I can still remember the feeling of panic that hit me when I heard the news. I wouldn’t have been able to recognize it at that time, but being let go from a dead-end job was the best thing to ever happen to me in my career. While so many people are dealing with hardships and changes in their work right now, I wanted to reflect on my experience being laid off and how it’s turned into good over the past few years. In this episode I’ll share:What my first job out of college was, and why I felt stuck thereThe fears and insecurities that kept me from considering making a career changeHow I was laid off, and what it made me realize about my potential, worth and professional goalsThen, I’m answering a listener question from Claire about how to know when it’s time to start planning for a career change. Find full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/laid-off

I saw a meme that said today was March 97th, and I thought, “Yes! That is exactly what today feels like.” The days are long when you’re quarantined. They’re even longer when your mind is anxious, you’re lonely, or you're juggling multiple responsibilities like caring for children and doing your job from home. I’ve talked with several people in the past week who when talking about their experience working from home have brought up the feeling of guilt. Immediately, I knew what they were talking about. I’ve felt that burden of guilt related to my work many times in my life, but especially so when I first started working remotely.When I think about what our world needs right now, I know that it’s definitely not guilt about lack of focus while working from home. So today I’m going to share some helpful tips about how to recognize & stop those feelings of guilt. In this episode I’ll be talking about:Why many people deal with feelings of guilt when they work from homeThe unique pressures contributing to these feelings of guilt because of COVID-19How to manage feelings of guilt, do great work and take care of yourselfThen, I’m answering a listener question from Mingi who asked for advice about improving his interviewing skills, after being offered several interviews, but now job offers. Find full show notes and links here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/feeling-guilty-wfh

I know this is a really difficult time, and everyone is being affected in some way by COVID-19 and it’s wide-ranging impacts. Thank you so much for taking the time to tune in and listen to this podcast. Your support during this time means so much to me, and I’m honored to have a bit of your attention that I know is spread pretty thin these days. I want you to know that I’ve updated my plan for this show, to make the content as relevant as possible. I have also been creating specialized resources to help people during this time the best that I can. I’ll be sharing more about what those are later on in today’s episode.In this episode I’ll share:Why now is the time to start thinking and planning ahead for your careerIdeas for working through fear and uncertainty in a productive wayHow I’m innovating and adapting my services to address people‘s most pressing needs Then, I’m answering a listener question from Kylie who asked for some tips about how to stay productive and focused while working from home. Check out the full show notes here: https://www.jenniferspoelma.com/podcast-feed/future-work-uncertain-times