Employaid founder Barbara Poole and I will present information and resources to help you seize control over the next phase of your career — whether you’re an employee, a job searcher, or an entrepreneur. We will also be conducting one-on-one mini career coaching sessions — so bring your questions.

Employaid is a great online resource for career advice and support. I first met Barbara Poole a few years ago when she had just launched the site and I was working on Escape from Corporate America. We found that we had a lot in common — both of us are incredibly passionate about helping people find more fulfilling work.

Find out more about the free Employaid event tonight in Chelsea. Hope to see you there!

To attend this show by phone, dial 347-838-9326. You can also listen via your computer by visiting www.blogtalkradio.com/thecareercatalyst and pressing the play/chat button. If you cannot participate live, visit the same URL above to either download or listen to the archive.

If you’re a woman between the ages of 25 and 45 and currently searching for work, you could get a makeover from a dream team including a top NYC stylist and colorist, professional  makeup artist, and fashion stylist.

If you’re interested in this makeover opportunity,  send an e-mail to mschaberg@hearst.com by November 15th, 2009 with your name, address, e-mail, phone number, age, and dress size. Please also include two photos (one full-length and one head shot) in your e-mail. Candidates need to live in the New York City area or be willing to travel to NYC at their own expense.

The makeovers will take place in late January and be featured in a spring 2010 TV special.

This is a perfect example of the hidden job market at work. This position isn’t being posted on the job boards. You have to be tapped into the right network to even hear about it. And I know that someone out there in my extended circle is a perfect fit. Could it be you?

About the position: The job is Chief Business and Strategy Officer for a NYC-based technology start-up with venture financing. This company already has a fantastic product and  a significant client base. They are looking for someone to help them chart the company’s future growth and build new partnerships and revenue streams. You would be based in New York City (with some travel required) and report directly to the CEO. The compensation package is very competitive and includes bonus and stock.

Job qualifications:

• Minimum of seven to ten years of sales and business development and managerial  experience.
• Significant knowledge regarding financial companies and markets.  Some experience with healthcare would be preferred.
• Proven performance in gaining new business and growing revenue with Fortune 1000 companies.
• Visionary thinker with strong presentation skills

If this sounds like you, send a cover note and resume (no attachments) to story @ escapefromcorporate.com.

“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”

“If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.”

– Walt Disney

The young Walt Disney’s first business went bankrupt, but he didn’t give up on his dreams.

After returning to Kansas City after a stint as an ambulance driver during World War 1, Disney worked as a draftsman and inker in commercial art studios before starting his own small studio with a partner. The two made short advertising films for local businesses with a second-hand camera while working on their animation passion projects on the side.

Unfortunately, the company ran out of money after  a deal with a New York film distributor went sour and Walt was forced to declare bankruptcy  in 1923.

Despite this blow to the ego, Walt packed up his latest unfinished animation project and moved to California to mooch $250 from his brother Roy and set up shop with him in their uncle’s garage. Soon they were generating some  cash flow from producing short animated featurettes for Hollywood.

In 1928, Walt came up with the idea for Mickey Mouse. Mickey’s first film appearance in Steamboat Willie (1928) was a sensation. However, due to the costs of producing animated films, the business was “continuously in peril” for years.

Eventually, the money started rolling in. However, Disney went on to risk it all several times over the course of his career. He credited his early failure with giving him the strength to take big risks, which paid off in big rewards over the course of Disney’s very big career.

So if you have big talent and a big dream, but have been kicked in the teeth by the current economy, remember Disney’s advice. That kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you and if you can dream it, you can do it.

Read more about the life and career of Walt Disney.

Admission is free and dozens of world-class and LGBT-friendly employers will be in the house.

Learn more about the Out to Work Job Fair and register to attend.

In the current hyper-competitive business environment, persuasive writing skills are more valuable than ever before. That’s why I worked with the American Management Association (AMA) to develop a live 90-minute webinar that teaches the 12 proven techniques for writing persuasively.

The webinar will take place on August 6th from 1-2:30 pm and we have worked hard to pack it with valuable information and exercises that will help anyone be more effective at work — even if writing isn’t a major part of your job. In fact, persuasive writing is an essential skill for managers (write convincing emails and performance reviews), entrepreneurs (write winning proposals and pitches), and career changers and job hunters (write brilliant resumes and cover letters).

Sign up now if you’re interested in learning how to convince, inspire, and influence with your writing. The email just went out the the AMA database and spots are filling up, so I wanted to give everybody here a heads-up now. Learn more about the course.

“Maybe I should quit the rat race and get a job tending bar on the beach in Mexico.”

I hear variations on this fantasy all the time — especially from corporate refugees under 35. From a cramped cubicle in Corporate America, the life of a bartender can seem pretty sweet and carefree. Especially if you’ve just watched a late-night TBS screening of Tom Cruise in Cocktail.

And if you happen to be between jobs right now and looking to make a few bucks, you might be thinking that you could do worse than get paid to make cocktails.

This thought might have occurred to you while crying into your beer and watching your favorite barkeep work the crowd and pocket plenty of large bills and phone numbers.

At a hot club, you could earn $1,000 in a single night behind the bar.

So let’s look at the realities of that bartending fantasy. Is it really possible for a corporate escapee to make a living behind the bar? Are you cut out for the bartending life?

I asked Rocco Romito, experienced bartender and founder of bartending job site Mybarlink.com, to share some expert advice for aspiring bartenders:

Pam: Is bartending a good way to make money during a recession?

Rocco: Bartending is a great way for someone to make extra cash during a recession. People normally drink more than usual during two types of situations in life. When you’re celebrating something, there is almost always liquor involved.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for us bartenders) , people also drink excessively when they are depressed.  Every night, there are people out there  drowning their sorrows in cocktails after losing a job, leaving a relationship, or just having a bad day.  I think we’ve all been in this boat at one time or another. The way our economy is right now, I’d say this is happening even more than in times past.

Pam: What kind of training/experience do you need to get a bartending job?

Rocco: A lot  depends on where you want to work. There really is no minimum experience required to get a job as a bartender. You can go a long way with a great  personality and people skills.

Many establishments will actually train you on the job if they think you have potential. To learn basic bartending skills, most people start out at an establishment that is not very busy (so they have time to learn and get comfortable)  or they go to a bartending school.

Bartending school is absolutely NOT required to get hired behind a bar, but it can help you get familiar with the different liquors, pouring techniques, etc. If you have NO experience and  don’t know anyone who is or was a bartender, then it may not be a bad idea to go to school and get comfortable behind the bar (they actually teach you with colored water).

The best way to get a bartending job, though, is to ask around at some of your local bars, restaurants, and clubs. Whenever inquiring about a job as a bartender, always show up in person. Be sure to look presentable, smile, and demonstrate a good sense of humor. Managers want to see that you’re comfortable around people and will be able to interact well with patrons.

Pam: How much can you expect to make as a bartender?

Rocco: Most establishments pay a very small salary (could be $3.00 per hour or up to $40.00 per shift  depending on the place). The good news is that this is only about  5-10% of what you can expect to earn for the night.

In New York City, for example, there are many different types of places that need bartenders. Realistically, with no experience, a beginner bartender could expect to make between $125-$200 per night.  With a little more experience, you could make $300-$400 tending bar at a smaller pub or tavern (depending on the night of the week and w hat’s gong on).

In most high-end NYC nightclubs and  lounges,  a bartender averages $800-$1000 on a good night. To make the big money at a popular cub,  you will need to be an experienced bartender. However, it doesn’t take very long to get to that point if you’re motivated. For example, if a bartender has 8-12 months experience, has a great personality, a great attitude, and interviews well, they have a great shot at landing a job at one of these “high profile” establishments.

Attention Bartenders

Have you ever worked as a bartender? Do you have additional advice for those who fantasize about taking a career break to mix margaritas? Please share.

I was talking about this issue with Tevis Trower and she thought it would make a great topic for her Life Works column on WebMD. Read my tips on work life balance when you’re out of work on WebMD.

And if you’re clinging to a job that you hate until the economy improves, here are some tips on maintaining balance and staying sane in that horrible, very bad job.

I just finished reading Dan Schawbel’s new book, Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, and it more than lived up to my high expectations.  Me 2.0 is the first book about personal branding written for the millenial generation by one of their own.

The focus is on using social media strategies to make a name for yourself — an area where many of us could use some expert direction (I’m talking to you, LinkedIn-phobes and Facebook-abusers).

Dan has build his own powerful brand as THE personal branding expert for Generation Y and Me 2.0 will show you how to create your own brand and use it to change your life.

It’s not just for the millenial generation. I spend most of my days coaching and training people of all ages in career transition and they’re all looking for the best ways to leverage tools like blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. I just spoke at a conference this week and the Q&A session was dominated by people trying to get a handle on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Me 2.0 gives readers  an overview of Personal Branding 101 and then goes through Dan’s four essential steps to creating and building your personal brand. The book is packed with valuable information and practical tips. Beyond that, I just love how Dan’s passion for his subject shines through in every chapter.

There is a lot of buzz out there about personal branding right now.  Dan Schawbel does a great job of breaking the concept down into actionable advice for members of Generation Y and everyone else who’s ready to leverage 2.0 to reinvent themselves.

And if you’re not ready, you better get ready! As I tell my coaching clients, the worst thing you can do in a competitive market is sit back and let other people brand you. Me 2.0 will show you how to take control of the brand that is you.

Learn more about Dan Schawbel and Me 2.0.