Written by Pamela Skillings

Still trying to be a good little  boy or girl and stick to those  wholesome New Year’s resolutions? Maybe it’s time to rebel against that clichéd New Year’s resolution routine and resolve to be very, very bad in 2009.

If you’re based in or near NYC, you can start this weekend by committing seven deadly sins before 9:00 PM on Saturday. It will make a nice, decadent break from all of your job searching and/or business building.

Here’s the deal: In my role as a writer/editor for About.com, I worked with a company called City Dusk  to put together a cool night out in New York City inspired by the seven deadly sins. You’ll get to eat, drink, demo sex toys, play with swords (the fencing kind), tour the Cooper Classic Car Club, and enjoy slothful massages.

If you  feel like acting out this Saturday, City Dusk is offering Manhattan About.com readers a discount of $10 on the $70 ticket price (which includes food, drinks, and debauchery). Just  contact Cal at City Dusk and mention About.com and he will hook you up with the discount.

Read more about the sinful itinerary at my About.com blog.

Written by Pamela Skillings

If you’re tired of waiting around for the job market to improve, for hiring managers to get back to you, for a decent position to show up on Monster.com, it may be time to seize control and see what kind of job you can create for yourself.

For years, I have been writing about the joys of escaping from Corporate America to find more fulfilling work. The best decision that I ever made was to walk away from my six-figure financial services job to start my own business.

Of course, that was in 2005. In 2008, many of those who left Corporate America did not do it by choice. They were pushed off the corporate ladder and felt lucky if they got a severance package to cushion the fall.

And now, many feel like they have been banished from Corporate America for good. There are far fewer jobs for far more applicants than ever before, especially on Wall Street (where many of my friends and coaching clients were superstars for years before getting laid off).

In this job market, many feel lucky to have jobs that they hate because at least they’re collecting pay checks. Others are willing to take whatever position they can get until the economy improves.

Does all of this mean that job satisfaction is an outdated luxury? That you should give up hope of finding fulfilling work?

NO. Yes, a recession is absolutely a tough time to find a job or make a career change. Yes, you may need to make some sacrifices to pay your bills through the downturn. But you don’t have to give up on your dreams forever.

Now is the time to take control of your career and start running it like a business. In fact, now may be the perfect time to start running your own business.

You don’t have to line up millions in venture funding. You don’t have to give up on your job hunt to explore entrepreneurship. You can start a business on the side in your spare time from your computer. After all, that’s how a lot of us managed to make successful escapes from Corporate America — by starting our businesses on the side and doing some ethical moonlighting.

You can launch a business as a consultant or freelancer today — all you need is the talent that you already possess and the confidence to go out and sell it. Or you can think much bigger. Some of the greatest (and wealthiest) entrepreneurs in history left Corporate America to pursue their dreams.

You can potentially start bringing in revenue right away. Maybe you’ll decide to ditch your job search and focus on your business full-time. Or maybe you’ll just keep it going until the market improves and you land the job of your dreams.

Haven’t you always wondered what it would be like to work for yourself? Now may be the perfect time to find out. In fact, many of the entrepreneurs that I interviewed for Escape from Corporate America started their successful businesses after they were laid off during the last downturn. Some of them did it because they were able to use their severance packages to pay the bills during the first, lean months of entrepreneurship. Some of them were fueled by anger over getting laid off and vowed to never be at the mercy of bad managers again. Still others found that unemployment finally gave them some time to really think about what they wanted to do with their lives.

I’m not saying that entrepreneurship is an easy out for frustrated job hunters. To make your own business work, you will have to put in a lot of sweat. However, all of that sweat will go into building something real. The rewards can be life changing.

2009 may just be the year that you discover a new purpose and show the world what you can do. And who knows? You may someday look back on being banished from Corporate America as a gift.

Written by Pamela Skillings

I’m getting the distinct impression that nobody is particularly interested in job search tips or career change strategies today. Everybody I know is caught up in shopping, baking, decorating, or packing for their holiday travels.

Are you taking a few days off from the job hunt to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and/or Kwanzaa? Don’t feel guilty. Here are a few good reasons to give yourself a  little vacation.

1. You deserve a break. Yes, you’re supposed to treat your job search like a full-time job, but even the most driven workaholics usually take a little time off for the holidays.

2. Hiring managers and recruiters are slacking off too. I don’t know any recruiters or HR managers who are scheduling job interviews this week. So this is the perfect time to step away from your obsessive phone and email monitoring.

3. You’ll be refreshed and inspired for the new year. A few days away will help you recharge your job searching battery. You’ll likely return with a more objective perspective and see new opportunities and strategies that you didn’t notice before.

My holiday gifts for you will be arriving after December 25th. I have lots of new content lined up to help you with job searching, career transitions, and New Year’s career resolutions during late December and January.

I’m just going to wait until you’ve had a chance to open your presents, eat your latkas, drink your eggnog, and otherwise enjoy your holiday season.

By then, you’ll be ready and maybe even have some post-holiday downtime for career strategizing, resume updating, and putting the advice into practice.

Can’t stand to take a break? Check out Santa’s Visual CV resume for inspiration and learn more about how to create a free Visual CV and use it effectively to advance your career. Visual CVs let you incorporate photos, videos, and work samples to create a more compelling resume and help you stand out.

Written by Pamela Skillings

I’m back at my desk after three fascinating and exhausting days of training. I was there for a deeper understanding of the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator (MBTI) instrument, which many of my clients have found to be extremely valuable in helping to clarify career and work style preferences.

And even though I thought there was nothing left to learn about my own career preferences and drivers (I have taken pretty much every assessment out there, and have completed the MBTI three times previously, as part of my training and certifications), I did have a few a-ha moments about the way I do things and why. I also met some very cool people.

I have a lot more to say about the MBTI and career planning, but I’ll save it for another post (I still need a little time to process all those new insights). In the meantime, I’ve got a few media opportunities and updates to share:

1. Are you a corporate escapee with a new business? A reporter for a major newspaper is doing a story on making the leap from Corporate America to entrepreneurship. She is interested in interviewing new entrepreneurs who left Corporate America recently. Would you be interested in sharing your story with the world? Email me with more information about you, your business, and your escape.

2. Are you a New Yorker with a gym membership? For About.com, I’m working on a story about the best New York City gyms at all price points and I need your opinion! Please share your thoughts on what you love and hate about your current gym and/or ex-gym. I will keep all opinions anonymous unless you specify that you don’t mind being quoted. Check out my About.com blog post for specific questions and more information. I’m looking for as many diverse perspectives as possible, so please consider forwarding the link to your friends.

3. What have you learned lately? I am a big believer in making learning and training a top priority — even when budgets are tight. Coincidentally, while I was sitting in the classroom on Monday, I got an email that Mark over at Productivity501.com posted a great round-up of blogger advice on the importance of learning new things (I’m quoted along with some of my favorite bloggers). You might have to get a little more creative and find ways to learn on the cheap until the economy improves, but there are lots of free and low-cost books, webinars, teleclasses, events, and classes out there. What’s the best free or low-cost training tool that you’ve discovered? I’m working on a new list of the best resources and would appreciate your input.

Written by Pamela Skillings

I first met Vera Babayeva back in July when I spoke at a conference for women entrepreneurs. At the time, she was working on her plan for escaping from Corporate America to start Women Can Have It All, a company devoted to helping women entrepreneurs succeed. A few weeks ago, I received a triumphant message from Vera on Facebook: “I escaped!”

So I asked Vera to share her story and her best advice for those looking to make the leap to working for themselves in today’s economy.

———————————-

Name: Vera Babayeva
Previous (corporate) occupation: Claims Adjuster
Current occupation: Business owner
Website: www.womencanhaveitall.com

1. Tell us a little bit about your corporate career path.

I started right out of college in the insurance industry. It paid well at the time and had good benefits. The first two years were exciting, but then it got boring and I felt that something wasn’t right, something was missing. Three years later, after much planning and preparation, I quit or escaped.

2. What made you decide to change careers?

I started to seek change after I read Robert Kiyosaki’s books. I realized that I can be a lot more then what Corporate America has to offer. I felt that I wasn’t utilizing my strengths. Who I was didn’t matter. It was all about what I could do for the company. I wanted to matter, I wanted to do something that matters to me and to my community. It’s also my personality. It’s hard for me to work for someone. I will grow the most if I work for myself.

3. What were your biggest career change challenges?

Getting the family on board and saving the “right” amount of money.

4. What are the best and worst things about your new career?

The best things are that I work for myself and I meet incredible people. The worst thing is dealing with the difficulty of being able to stand out in the crowd. I don’t want to label it as the worst — but as the most difficult instead. It’s very hard to get people’s attention and I am working on that right now.

5. What advice would you give to someone who feels stuck in an uninspiring job?

Plan and get those who matter in your life on board. Plan the finances, save. Tell your loved ones what your plans are and get them ready. It will take months, maybe years, but it will all be worth it at the end.

Don’t give up on your dreams. Just give yourself time and keep going.

5. Do you have any success secrets to share?

There really are no secrets. It’s pretty much the cliché you often hear: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” I strongly believe in this. If you keep searching, you will finally find your answer.

Thanks, Vera!

Written by Pamela Skillings

As you’re making that list and checking it twice, you’ll probably notice that some of your nearest and dearest are among the downsized (recently laid off) or disgruntled (stuck in miserable or stressful jobs for purely paycheck reasons) this year.

These are the friends and family members who deserve an extra special gift this year. They’re dealing with increased stress and financial uncertainty and could use a bit of extra good cheer. And you don’t have to bust your budget to give a thoughtful present. After all, this is a year of reduced gift budgets for everybody.

A great present for your downsized, laid off, or job-loathing loved one will accomplish one (or more) of the following goals: 1) Assist with their job hunt or career change; 2) Offer some distraction or escapism from their work or no-work stresses; or 3) Provide a little bit of luxury or pampering that they may feel guilty about spending money on right now. Here are some gift ideas to consider:

1) A Great Book — Books are perfect gifts because they are always affordable and always personal. Show how much you care by taking the time to pick out just the right book. You can opt for a title that will support your pal’s current career transition — like the always-appreciated Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams. Naturally, I am biased and think my own book is the perfect gift for the downsized or disgruntled. In fact, I was inspired to put together this list after hearing from several readers who had purchased extra copies for holiday gifts. Another good career-related book is Smart Networking, which has valuable advice on using online and in-person networking strategies to make career-boosting connections.

Then again, it might be more fun to give a fantastic novel or engrossing nonfiction work that is totally unrelated to the job hunt. Or a book of hilarious essays like David Sedaris’ When You Are Engulfed in Flames or Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking.

2) A Resume Revamp — A strong resume is the key to booking that career-changing interview. And sometimes, a little bit of professional, unbiased input can turn a dull resume into a brilliant marketing document. Buy your buddy a gift certificate for a professional resume edit or rewrite. Find a certified professional resume writer in your area through the Professional Association of Resume Writers. Most resume writers offer a range of services at different price points — from a quick edit of an existing resume to a full rewrite.

3) Network Building — Another way to help with the job hunt is by giving the gift of networking. Pay to upgrade your friend to a premium LinkedIn account for a few months. The Business ($19.95 per month) and Business Plus ($50 per month) accounts include more powerful search capabilities and the ability to connect with more people outside your immediate network.

4) A Night at the Movies — Everybody loves the movies. Give Fandango Bucks and your best buds can enjoy some end-of-the-year Oscar bait or a fun holiday popcorn flick (throw in a few bucks extra for Twizzlers or Junior Mints). They can even enjoy one of the perks of unemployment and play hooky at the movies in the middle of a weekday while you’re slaving away in your cube. Another option is to pick up a great DVD for a cozy movie night at home (popcorn from Orville Redenbacher is much cheaper). Good DVD choices for the downsized and disgruntled include Office Space and Jerry Maguire.

5) A Spa Indulgence — Just when your best buddy could most use a massage or a bit of pampering, she probably feels guilty about spending the bucks on something “impractical.” Treat her to a well-deserved rubdown or give a gift certificate to put toward a day of relaxation. SpaFinder can help you find top-rated spas and purchase gift certificates online. Or you can treat her to a little at-home pampering for around $20 with a Spa-In-A-Basket With Comfy Slippers And Massage Tool or Dr. Scholl’s Foot Spa with Bubbles and Massage

6) Overpriced Coffee — Overpriced luxuries are the first things that get cut from most downsized budgets. For your favorite Starbucks fanatics, it’s probably painful to give up those lattes and mochas and espressos for cheaper home brews. So why not perk up their lives with Starbucks gift cards? They get to enjoy some extra caffeinated treats during the holiday season without feeling guilty about frivolous spending. And for those coffee fans who are fed up with the job hunt and searching for a Plan B? Buy a copy of How Starbucks Saved My Life so your pal can learn more about the joys of barista-ing (health insurance, free coffee, and valuable life lessons!).

7) Lots of Love and a Juicy Job Lead — But what if there’s no room in your gift budget for your favorite unemployed or unhappily employed friend? Believe me, he will understand if your wallet is a little light this year. You can always show your love with a holiday card with a personal message or a batch of home-baked holiday treats. Even better, think about whether there’s a favor you can do to help out. Can you think of a job lead to pass on or a potentially valuable introduction that you could make? Could you offer to help punch up that resume or brainstorm career ideas? These are gifts that don’t cost you a dime but can be worth a lot to a friend who’s feeling stuck in a job-hunt rut.

Written by Pamela Skillings

To help you celebrate Thanksgiving, here is a new and improved version of my post from last Turkey Day — a call to express thanks for the good things in your life, which is especially important in the midst of our current economic rough patch.

Forget about all of the pilgrim crap. The best way to think about Thanksgiving is as a time to express gratitude for all of the great things in your life — your friends, your family, your health, your access to massive quantities of poultry and pumpkin pie.

And don’t forget to say a little thanks to the universe or your deity of choice for your job if you’ve got one. You’re probably rolling your eyes right now if you’re stuck in a stressful or mind-numbing corporate job. Or if you’ve been recently downsized or restructured or otherwise unceremoniously shown the door by your corporate overlords.

But trust me, there are plenty of things to be grateful for if you really think about it:

Give Thanks for Your Paycheck — If you’re collecting regular paychecks or severance payments, you’re doing better than a lot of people. That’s not to say that you should settle for a job that’s only about the paycheck or avoid taking risks to find more fulfilling work. You can have both a paycheck and a meaningful career. And you will.

Give Thanks for All That You’ve Learned — Your experience in Corporate America has made you wiser. You have learned valuable business skills, developed a network of helpful contacts, and built a resume. You’ve also learned a lot about what you DON’T want to do for a living. All of these things will come in handy in your dream career — whether it’s starting your own business, becoming a third-grade teacher, or writing the Great American Novel. Yes, your bosses can always lay you off but they can never take away any of that hard-earned experience or your talents, skills, or wisdom.

Give Thanks for the Fire Under Your Ass — Sometimes, people need to be miserable in order to find the motivation to change. If you know anything about Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey or have seen a few Hollywood films, you know that the hero must go through crisis in order to achieve victory. A wise woman in one of my writing workshops put it this way — "a character doesn’t change unless you light a fire under his ass." What this means for you is that you will probably never take a leap until you feel flames on the seat of your pants. That fire could be the burning passion for your new career or it could be the slow, smoldering misery and/or frustration of a job that doesn’t inspire you. Whatever your inspiration, if you find yourself giving thanks for a brilliant new career by next Thanksgiving, you have that fire under your ass to thank.

Give Thanks for a Day Off — Most good corporate citizens in the U.S. get a paid day off for Thanksgiving. Many even get two (say thanks twice in this case). And if you’ve been laid off, look at it this way: You can do whatever you want for Thanksgiving and you don’t have to clear your plans with any boss this year. Take a break from the job search and do what so many terminated executives say they’re going to do — spend more time with your family. Or ditch your family if they’re a pain in the butt and spend time with people who are more supportive. Eat well and wear loose-fitting clothing.

And I want to thank you for reading this blog and sharing your thoughts and feedback. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported me over the last year as I published my first book and started a new and exciting chapter in my career. So many people shared their advice and expertise and helped me spread the word about Escape from Corporate America. A sincere thank you to each and every one of you…and you know who you are.

Written by Pamela Skillings

The layoff process is awkward and uncomfortable for everybody. Yes, it’s probably most excruciating for those who have to pack up their files and turn in their key cards. But it’s no picnic for the managers breaking the bad news or the “spared” coworkers skulking around in the background.

And many times, clueless or insensitive remarks or behavior can make the situation much worse.  I know this from personal experience (hence my new self-proclaimed nickname, “The Downsized Diva”). I was laid off twice, forced to deliver bad layoff news to others repeatedly, and managed to cling to my job through more layoff purges than I can count. I have also heard dozens of layoff horror stories from my clients, friends, and colleagues.

All of this horrible experience has helped me to identify some layoff etiquette tips that can make the whole ugly situation a little bit less painful for everybody.

For The Laid-Off

Okay, so you are understandably upset and angry.  You probably don’t care about etiquette or making life easier for your boss or co-workers right now.  However, if you’re able to remain calm and polite (just until you get out of the building…then you can drink tequila and curse your boss’ ancestors freely), you can make the best of a bad situation.

• Don’t make it personal. Don’t take the layoff personally and don’t hurl personal insults at the boss delivering the bad news. Your manager probably isn’t happy about laying you off and, in the long run, you’ll benefit more from his glowing recommendation than that brief moment of satisfaction from telling him off.
  

• Politely ask for what you want. If you can keep the layoff discussion reasonably civil, you stand a much better chance of getting what you want from your boss. She may not have the power to negotiate on the terms of the severance agreement, but she can provide a recommendation, job leads, or just some extra time to pack up your belongings and access your computer files.

• Don’t badmouth the company or your boss. Save your trash talk for your close friends and family. Let your managers and colleagues see you as a class act and a true professional (even if you’re silently wishing them bodily harm). They will be much more likely to think of you when a job lead or opportunity comes up.
  

For The Manager Laying Off

• Break the news in a considerate way. If you can, deliver the bad news one-on-one before your employee has to hear about their impending unemployment from the office gossip. Even worse: Learning that you’ve been downsized when your key card or computer password mysteriously stops working. Wimpy managers put off the layoff discussion because they know it will be unpleasant. Think about how you would want to be treated in the same situation and act accordingly (within the rules set by your HR department, of course).

• Show respect. You are not a superior human being just because you happen to be sitting on the powerful side of the desk in this layoff conversation. In some cases, you may be downsizing someone more competent and qualified than you are.  Either way, your employee deserves respect and compassion during this very difficult conversation.

• Don’t expect any sympathy. This isn’t about you. The person you’re laying off is not going to shed any tears about the stress you’re feeling right now, so don’t even think about asking for pity (and yes, this happens a lot).

For The Colleagues Who Escaped the Layoff Axe

• Be sympathetic, but not too sympathetic. Do express your regrets and offer encouraging words. Don’t act like your colleague’s world is ending. Everyone appreciates a little empathy, but most people don’t want (or need) your pity.

• Offer your help and support. For departing colleagues that you like and respect, make it clear that you can be counted upon for contacts, advice, and a sympathetic ear. Go out of your way to forward  appropriate job leads whenever you see them.

• Stay in touch. Don’t wait around for your favorite ex-colleagues to call you and ask for help. Email to check in regularly. Do NOT start every conversation with, “So, have you found a new job yet?” That just creates added pressure and leads to awkward conversations. Eventually, your former friends will start avoiding you simply to avoid that question.
• Throw a great goodbye party. Take your downsized pal out for a night of fun and be sure to pick up the tab. Invite the rest of the department or make it a party of two (let your ex-colleague decide which is most appropriate).

Other thoughts on layoff etiquette? Examples of bad layoff behavior? I want to read them.

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Written by Pamela Skillings

It’s performance review season again! That means it’s time to sit down with your boss to review your 2008 accomplishments and find out if you’re going to take home more moolah in 2009.

This year, you may be feeling even more cynical about your performance review prospects than usual. You know how bosses always blame piddly raises and uninspiring bonuses on budget constraints (”If it were up to me, I’d give you a huge bonus!”)? Well, this year they will almost definitely be telling the truth.

But recent studies show that most companies are still planning to give raises in 2009 — approximately 3.5%  on average.  The bad news is that companies are also planning to lay workers off and raise employee contributions for health care.

So this year, your performance review represents more than just an opportunity to justify that 3.5% raise. It’s your chance to document your value to the company, strengthen your internal brand, and improve your chances of staying employed in 2009 (if that’s the sort of thing you’re into).

Yes, your performance review is really a marketing campaign. While good performance is no guarantee of keeping your job, you’re far likelier to keep those paychecks coming (and even make more money) if you can demonstrate how much the company and your manager would suffer without you around.

So whether you’re looking for a salary bump, a sweet bonus, or just a little extra insurance against a pink slip in 2009; here are some helpful tips for making your performance review pay off in the cold, hard world of late-2008 Corporate America. read more…

Written by Pamela Skillings

Ready to move forward with launching your new business? Make it official on November 11th, 2008 and save hundreds of dollars in attorney fees

MyCorporation.com will let anyone register a new corporation or LLC for free from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. Pacific time on November 11 (they normally charge $129 and up to file your incorporation forms online). Use the coupon code FREE149 to get the discount.

MyCorporation.com is an online filing service that supports entrepreneurs with incorporation, trademarks, copyrights, and other business forms. MyCorporation is a service of Intuit, the company that makes Quicken and Quickbooks (which has saved me lots of headaches in managing my company’s finances) .

And speaking of freebies for entrepreneurs from Intuit, you can try out the Simple Start version of Quickbooks for free. They also have an online community for entrepreneurs and small business owners that provides lots of free advice.