The new identity mark, a mortarboard "C" will be used across all Cook Coaching & Consulting websites.
Today you will notice a fresh new design for Higher Ed Career Coach. The streamlined design incorporates my new brand logo, a stylized “C,” wearing a mortarboard, with a stylized ball court on the inside part of the letter. This is just one step in a larger redesign of all my sites, including Higher Ed Life Coach, SeanCook.Net and two others that I will be debuting later this year (Higher Ed Coach, which will be a directory and resource site for coaches and consultants who work with higher ed institutions, students, faculty, and professional staff.; and PuttingYourPurposeToWork.com, which will feature articles on how to live a more purposeful life and resources to help you do so, including some coaching programs and services for those ready to pursue more purpose-driven paths in their careers.)
The mortarboard “C” came about as the result of a 99designs contest I ran. This is a great site for anyone wanting logos, graphic design services, and corporate image packages, at a low price. To set up a contest, you write out a design brief describing what you want, decide on a prize, and then you run the contest, and designers submit ideas for your consideration. I received over 40 different designs (I think it was 56, but some designers withdrew their designs when it was clear they weren’t going to win.) The winning design was by Nelly Tonchev, a branding consultant from the Boston area. YOu can see more of her designs here.
The re-design and streamlining of my theme was done by my friend Michelle Panulla who works sometimes with her former roommate Beth Hayden of Blogging with Beth. They sang a duet at my wedding. (“Power of Two” by the Indigo Girls). They are working on similar integrations of my new brand elements on the other sites, as well as doing some back-end SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for me. I will likely be working with them soon to move over my mailing list from Constant Contact to another service.
I’ve also integrated a neat little toolbar from Wibiya that floats over the bottom of the page. This toolbar is customizable, but for now, I have it set up so you can search this site or the web via Google, see how many people are online here, join chats using tinychat, see my Twitter feed or go to yours, like items on Facebook, share them on Twitter, Facebook or other networks, and read site specific announcements and news.
This custom cartoon by DJ Coffman will be used for our new feature "Monday Morning Quarterback."
I’m also integrating some custom elements into the site, as well as regular features. Pittsburgh comic artist DJ Coffman recently drew a couple of great items for me. The first one is a sketch of a vaguely familiar-looking guy at a chalkboard, explaining plays the team could run. I’ll be running this art with a new regular feature each Monday, which I am calling “Monday Morning Quarterback.” Each Monday, we’ll start the week with some opinion and analysis about recent events, news or trends in higher education. Sometimes, I’ll be the one offering my thoughts, but I hope to give guest writers an opportunity to share their perspectives as well. If you are interested in writing a guest post and being a “Monday Morning Quarterback,” send me an e-mail at sean@higheredcareercoach.com.
I am really excited about the next few weeks on the HigherEdCareerCoach podcast on BlogTalkRadio. I’m lining up some great guests from all over, and we’ll be talking about some really cool things.
This Friday (July 2) we’ll be discussing the difficulties some helping professionals have in accepting help, advice and coaching from others, and some ways that we can approach these situations and help.
Our guest will beSusan Giurleo, a psychologist, business consultant and marketer for health care professionals who want to diversify their income streams and utilize online tools to provide services and market their practices. Susan runs a therapy practice, Child Development Partners, but is also engaged in small business development, online health care, and social media marketing through her blog BizSavvyTherapist, where she teaches psychotherapists and other health care professionals how to ethically market and diversify income streams while utilizing online tools and social media. She is definitely an authority on helping those who may need help, but have issues admitting it. This should be an interesting conversation!
Please listen and call in your comments, thoughts, and questions to (347) 989-0055. You can also get to the show page by clicking the button below, where you can call in via Skype Click-toTalk, using the Blue S (Skype) logo button on the episode page.
We’ll also be joined by guest co-hosts Mickey Fitch and Dennis Charles, and talk about news, events, upcoming shows and the rash of new jobs people seem to be starting this month and next.
Job interviews can be a lot like stacking blocks. Once you have "just enough," it's time to stop.
Lately, I’ve been having some good discussions online, over e-mail, and on the phone with the participants of my 8 Weeks t0 August Career Coaching Program. It’s a small group but we are getting into the swing of things and hopefully having a program like this one, with 1-on-1 coaching, online activities and some dedicated times to have practice interviews, will help the participants find some clarity, focus their searches, and find great jobs by this September.
One of the topics we’re spending time with early on is obstacles.It’s hard to move ahead when you feel stuck, unless you can recognize the obstacles in your path, and clear them.
Since I’m not looking for work right now, I related something that I struggle with as a businessman, because it really isn’t that different from the things I struggled with in my job searches, and it’s this…
Saying just enough to answer the question.
Think about that for a minute.
Just enough.
In a job interview, your answers have to address the question, but beyond that, the issue that most of us struggle with is not coming up with a good answer. It is the “enough.” And more particularly, the “just enough.”
So when do you know when you’ve said enough?
Is it when you describe your job and your tasks?
Is it when you say something memorable?
Or is when you do both of the above, in ways that the interviewer will connect with?
Are your answers “connecting?” If not, where can you find clues on how to connect?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this, and how you might apply the idea of “just enough” in your interview strategy. Please comment below and share your thoughts on how to say “just enough,” or share some of the obstacles you find yourself up against, and maybe we can help you figure out ways to get over them around them, or to go right through and smash them to pieces.
Sean Cook, M.Ed.
Sean Cook is a Life and Career Coach from Athens, GA. He attended Clemson University, where he earned his B.A. in Political Science (with a minor in Administration) and his M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance Services (Student Affairs in Higher Education concentration.) Before founding Cook Coaching & Consulting Ltd., Sean spent 15 1/2 years working in higher education, mostly in residence life. His interest in coaching was a natural outgrowth of his personal experiences as a job seeker and his professional experiences as an advisor to college students and student organizations, and as a supervisor to students and young professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
Higher Ed Career Coach Sean Cook delivers a brief introduction to his “8 Weeks to August” Career Coaching Program and his professional and personal motivations for offering it.
Registration for My “8 Weeks to August” program
closes today (Friday, June 10, 2010).
If you are still seeking a job in higher education,
you still have a chance to register at
I will not be extending the registration period past today (Friday). It will automatically close at midnight, or when the registration cap (20 participants) is reached.Why? Because I want to get started, and those who have already registered probably would, too.
As mentioned in the video, please do not let financial concerns determine whether you join this program. If you want to be a part of this inaugural program, just sign up! If you can pay some part now, that’s cool. We’ll figure out the rest later. I’m also offering a money-back guarantee if the program doesn’t work for you, so the money part is neither here nor there to me. Let’s just make this an engaging, interactive, fun, informative and useful experience for all who participate. The rest will fall into place as it should.
So go ahead and register, and let’s get you back in the hunt, and on to a new job this fall!
Sean Cook, M.Ed., Certified Life Purpose & Career Coach, Publisher & Lead Writer
Sean Cook is a Life Purpose and Career Coach who specializes in working with job seekers in higher education. Prior to becoming a Certified Coach through the Life Purpose Institute, Cook earned his M.Ed. from Clemson University, and spent over 15 years working as a student affairs professional.
You can listen to Sean every Friday at 11 a.m. Eastern on His Higher Ed Career Coach Show on BlogTalkRadio.Com.
Today, we’ll be discussing more about the art and practice of the “elevator pitch,” as well as exploring essential interview skills for today’s job seekers. Listeners are also welcome to call in their questions and comments to (347) 989-0055, or by clicking on the Skype “click to talk” logo at the page for today’s episode.
Since last Friday, I’ve been fielding inquiries about my new coaching program, to help those who have found themselves still without a job for the Fall. In talking over the details of the program, many people thought it might be useful, but just weren’t ready to commit. So I sat down to review the details of the program and make a few modifications to get people off the fence.
First, let’s review the general outline for the program, as announced last Friday….
“8 weeks to August” is geared toward job seekers who are determined to start something new this academic year. It’s a “hybrid” program…part individual coaching, and part on-line activities and support. It will also be significantly cheaper than a regular 1-on-1 coaching program, because I’m sensitive to the financial aspects of job-seeking in higher education. (I have some news on that, so read on.)
Features
2 individual coaching sessions in early June, to outline your goals for coaching, and to review your resume and cover letters, to make sure they are selling your unique skills and experience in ways that match the positions you are targeting. ($200 Value)
2 practice interviews-one via phone, the other via Skype, with feedback about areas for possible improvement. ($200 value)
2 additional individual coaching sessions during the program, which can be used for exploration, goal-setting, additional mock interviews, strategy sessions for specific applications, etc….Really, whatever you might need. ($200 value)
E-mail coaching during the entire program- send short questions or requests to me on topics of your choosing.
Online access to readings and activities that will help you focus your efforts on finding a position that will be a natural match for your interests, skills and abilities.
Group discussion opportunities for all group members, for support and encouragement from other job seekers.
The ability to have private online chats and discussions with me and with other group members about your search.
I thought I’d put together a pretty good package, and set a pretty good price point, but I’d like to see a slightly larger group. It’s true enough that the 1-on-1 coaching and the online activities may be enough for most people, but I like to idea of at least offering some group activities, to help people network with and support other searchers, and to know they are not alone in their concerns.
Optimally, I would like to see this group at between 15 and 20 members, because I think that’s a manageable size that still allows personal interaction and individualized attention to each member.
The changes are:
I’m going reducing the price. ($400/person instead of $500/person)
I’m going to split the payments and have an up-front part and then let participants pay the remainder later probably $200 now and $200 later in the program.
I’m going to set up a “client profiles” section on HigherEdCareerCoach.com for any member of the program interested to have the following:
Picture & Bio
Resume Highlights and downloadable resume pdf file
A BusinessCard 2.0 or similar internet card
Have an entire episode of my BlogTalkRadio show dedicated to interviewing you and talking about your goals for your job search. (will be linked to your page). Will be pre-recorded and edited. Both BTR and my site have good Search Engine Optimization, but A BTR episode will stay up, be searchable and hopefully help you get your name out there in a better way.
I’m still planning to give away a $500 Apple giftcard if we get 15 or more registrants.
You’ll still get the book.
You’ll still get access to the teleseminars and online workshops and activities until the End of September.
The number of registrants for this program will still be extremely limited, because I want to be able to deliver all I promise, and more, to participants, and turn them into raving fans and the best kind of advertising money can’t buy…satisfied clients.
Every participant will receive a copy of a great book on personal branding. (Me 2.0 by Dan Schawbel)
If I reach my intended target size for this program, one of the participants is going to end up getting all the features and benefits mentioned above, and a $500 Apple Gift Card. With the price drop this means that someone is going to get paid to get coaching and move forward in their job search. And maybe use that gift card to start a new job this Fall with a shiny new iPad.
Do I have your interest now?
If you or a friend are “stuck,” and really need to move forward and make significant progress in your job search, wouldn’t it be great to get personal attention, customized resume/cover letter/interview assistance, the support of a certified coach and other job seekers in your field, and (if we get a group of 15 to 20) theopportunity to get all your money back?
I know that if I was looking for a position, it would interest me.
So don’t wait…visit the program’s registration page (link below) to learn more about this program, what the costs and benefits are, and about my money-back guarantee.
So the school year has wound down, graduation has passed, and the halls are empty (well, except for those being used for Summer School.) For some of us, it’s time to rest on our laurels for a bit, before planning ramps up for the school year.
But for others, summer might be anything but relaxing. If you have the “graduation-and-no-job blues,” the “I’ve-gotta-get-out-of-this-place-it’s-killing-me itch,” or the “been-here-done-here-now-what?” mid-career crisis, then it’s high time you get moving with your job search, or grad school planning…or you’ll be looking in the mirror this August, seeing the reflection of your discontent staring back at you, and wondering…
“How did this happen? I’m supposed to be doing something great!
…And it’s not this.”
If you find yourself with the blues, the itch, or the mid-career crisis, maybe it’s time to get clear on your interests, evaluate your skills, and start planning for a fresh start this August. Summer represents a second wave of opportunities for job seekers in academia, because many who got a job in the first wave also left a job.
To help those who have found themselves in this position, I’m launching a new coaching program to help them get unstuck.
8 Weeks to August Coaching Program
The “8 weeks to August” program is geared toward job seekers who are determined to start something new this academic year.
The program will be a “hybrid” program…part individual coaching, and part on-line activities and support. It will also be significantly cheaper than a regular 1-on-1 coaching program, because I’m sensitive to the financial aspects of job-seeking in higher education.
Features
2 individual coaching sessions in early June, to outline your goals for coaching, and to review your resume and cover letters, to make sure they are selling your unique skills and experience in ways that match the positions you are targeting. ($200 Value)
2 practice interviews-one via phone, the other via Skype, with feedback about areas for possible improvement. ($200 value)
2 additional individual coaching sessions during the program, which can be used for exploration, goal-setting, additional mock interviews, strategy sessions for specific applications, etc….Really, whatever you might need. ($200 value)
E-mail coaching during the entire program- send short questions or requests to me on topics of your choosing.
Online access to readings and activities that will help you focus your efforts on finding a position that will be a natural match for your interests, skills and abilities.
Group discussion opportunities for all group members, for support and encouragement from other job seekers.
The ability to have private online chats and discussions with me and with other group members about your search.
Benefits
Increased clarity about your career goals, as a result of personalized feedback about your resume, cover letters, and job search strategy.
A more focused plan for your job search, from opportunities to explore options, weed out ones that aren’t a good match, and concentrate on those more suited to your skills, experiences, and interests.
A better understanding of potential obstacles to your success, including practical ones (like lack of training, or poor interviewing skills) and emotional ones, like anxiety, confusion, or poor self-esteem; with some personalized recommendations for skill-building, improved personal presentation, and building self-confidence.
What else do you need to know about the
“8 Weeks to August” Career Coaching Program?
I’ll give you some quick ideas, but you’ll need to go to the event page to get more specifics.
The price point is incredibly good…a significant discount over my normal rates (since it is a hybrid program, with individual and group components, the number of registrants will allow me to do this.)
The number of registrants for this program will be extremely limited, because I want to be able to deliver all I promise, and more, to participants, and turn them into raving fans and the best kind of advertising money can’t buy…satisfied clients.
I will be closing the program to new enrollments next Friday at 12 noon EST.
Every participant will receive a copy of a great book on personal branding.
If I reach my intended target size for this program, one of the participants is going to end up getting all the features and benefits mentioned above, and a significant prize, which will basically be like giving them all their money back.(That’s right–all of it!)
Do I have your interest now?
If you or a friend are “stuck,” and really need to move forward and make significant progress in your job search, wouldn’t it be great to get personal attention, customized resume/cover letter/interview assistance, the support of a certified coach and other job seekers in your field, and the opportunity to get all your money back?
I know that if I was looking for a position, it would interest me.
So don’t wait…visit the program’s registration page (link below) to learn more about this program, what the costs and benefits are, and about my money-back guarantee.
Work with Sean. I help higher ed professionals take control of their careers with tailored services including resume and CV development, LinkedIn profile optimization and networking strategy, interview coaching, and one-on-one career guidance.
