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By Dumont Gerken-Owen, PhD, Certified Career Management Coach NABBW's Women and Work Expert Would you rather eat a worm than create a personal career brand? In reality, developing a personal career …By Dumont Gerken-Owe…By Dumont Gerken-Owen, PhD, Certified Career Management Coach NABBW's Women and Work Expert Would you rather eat a worm than create a personal career brand? In reality, developing a personal career brand doesn’t have to be torture because you are already living it. The fact is, you don’t create a personal brand: You discover it. Simply said, think of your personal brand as the essence of whom you are and the unique attributes only you can bring to the table. The key to a powerful brand is understanding your authentic self- the values, passions, personality preferences, knowledge…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
March 4, 2013
Powerful Tools to Reach Your Career Goals! By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert Many of you are working extremely hard to reach your career goals with little success. Mayb…Powerful Tools to Re…Powerful Tools to Reach Your Career Goals! By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert Many of you are working extremely hard to reach your career goals with little success. Maybe this is the time to try another approach. Try some of these powerful ways to manifest success in your career goals. 1. Define your ideal career. Visualize each detail: What are you doing? In what setting? Who would you work with? Is it consistent with your passions? Often professionals such as athletes improve their performance by the use of visualization. 2. Attract the results you most…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
September 2, 2011
Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills & Ace the Interview - Part 1 By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert What are Soft Skills? They are the nontechnical skill…Women Boomers: Promo…Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills & Ace the Interview - Part 1 By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert What are Soft Skills? They are the nontechnical skills that consistently rate high with employers…and Guess What? They\'re the skills in which Boomers excel! Sometimes, however, you have to make those skills clear to the interviewer by knowing how to promote the knowledge and wisdom you\'ve gained from your experience. I recently read an article by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., Creative Director and Associate Publisher of Quintessential Careers. I…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
July 8, 2011
Even in the Worst of Times, Best Prepared Candidates Still Get Jobs By Dumont Gerkin Owen Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert How is it that even when the times get really tough in the job mar…Even in the Worst of…Even in the Worst of Times, Best Prepared Candidates Still Get Jobs By Dumont Gerkin Owen Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert How is it that even when the times get really tough in the job market, there are always individuals who find jobs. Are they smarter than you? Too young, too old? Better qualified, cheaper or are they the best-prepared candidate out of the applicant pool? So how do you, as an applicant, become the employer’s best of the best? Work harder and smarter than your competitors The average advice is to spend twenty hours per week for a part-ti…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
May 26, 2011
Discouraged in Your Job Search? Kick Your Inner Gremlin to the Curb. By Dumont Gerkin Owen Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert What is a Gremlin? He or she is the one that whispers negativ…Discouraged in Your …Discouraged in Your Job Search? Kick Your Inner Gremlin to the Curb. By Dumont Gerkin Owen Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert What is a Gremlin? He or she is the one that whispers negative messages in your ear: “You’re too old, your skills are out of date, why would anyone hire you, you’ll never find a job? Old dogs can’t learn new tricks. Employers only want direct experience in the position or industry and don’t recognize the value of transferable skills. When does it appear? Usually at the worst time possible. You’ve just been laid off, fired or resigne…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
April 21, 2011
The Gender Gap in Employment: A New Twist? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert The recession has had a devastating effect on salaries and hiring rates for both men and…The Gender Gap in Em…The Gender Gap in Employment: A New Twist? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women & Work Expert The recession has had a devastating effect on salaries and hiring rates for both men and women. Evidence, however, indicates that the gender gap has extended from a disparity of salaries and advancement to the job search. According Tony Pugh of McClatchy Newspapers, for every twenty jobs that are filled, only one was by a woman. This is particularly disturbing as in recent years women have risen to 52% of the job force. According to Pugh this is not necessarily due only to s…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
April 5, 2011
Networking: The Bigger the Better? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert It’s not about the size of your network. It’s about the relationships you build. Put yoursel…Networking: The Bigg…Networking: The Bigger the Better? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert It’s not about the size of your network. It’s about the relationships you build. Put yourself in your contact’s shoes. Whom would you most likely help further their job search? A. The person you met at a professional meeting who followed up with a thank you letter but never connected with you again? OR B. The person that has gone beyond the thank you letter. The one who sends an update on each referral you’ve offered. The one who “checks in” from time to time to …
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
February 12, 2011
Is Fear of Rejection a Motivator or Hindrance in Your Job Search? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert The job search has been described as a series of “no’s” follow…Is Fear of Rejection…Is Fear of Rejection a Motivator or Hindrance in Your Job Search? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert The job search has been described as a series of “no’s” followed by a “yes”. In other words, rejection is an inevitable part of every job search. It’s your response to rejection that will influence the momentum and success of your job search. I am reminded of an incident that happened to my mother many years ago. While she was out riding, her horse took the bit in his mouth and headed “lickety-split” back to the barn. This particular barn…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
January 5, 2011
Are You as Courageous as a Baby Squirrel? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert I watched a baby squirrel the other day as he learned to navigate trees. He carefully teste…Are You as Courageou…Are You as Courageous as a Baby Squirrel? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW's Women and Work Expert I watched a baby squirrel the other day as he learned to navigate trees. He carefully tested each branch to see if it could hold his weight. A little later, I went back and looked up in the tree. I was amazed! The squirrel was jumping from branch to branch. Talk about a leaf of faith! This was one courageous squirrel. How about you? Are you willing to make that leap of faith? You may be anxious or fearful about your career transition or job search, but are you willing t…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
December 14, 2010
Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills & Win the Interview or Promotion - Part 1 Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. What are Soft Skills? They are the nontechnical skills that consistent…Women Boomers: Promo…Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills & Win the Interview or Promotion - Part 1 Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. What are Soft Skills? They are the nontechnical skills that consistently rate high with employers…and Guess What? They’re the skills in which Baby Boomer women excel! Sometimes, however, you have to make those skills clear to the interviewer by knowing how to promote the knowledge and wisdom you’ve gained from your experience. I recently read and article by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., Creative Director and Associate Publisher of Quintessential Careers. I…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
October 31, 2010
By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positiv…By Dumont Gerken Owe…By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery. But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to …
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
September 22, 2010
Any woman engaged in a job search today knows that there are many things you cannot control. The key is toquit obsessing over the bad news. Yes, the economy is a mess, the job market has gone undergro…Any woman engaged in…Any woman engaged in a job search today knows that there are many things you cannot control. The key is toquit obsessing over the bad news. Yes, the economy is a mess, the job market has gone underground, and opportunities in your field are limited. These are things you cannot control: Now here are a few things you can. You can control your reactions…the job search has been described as a series of rejections followed by a Yes! Don’t give up before you reap the rewards. You can control the ROI on your investments of time and effort by crafting a personal brand and marketing campa…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
August 22, 2010
Like many women entrepreneurs, I work out of my home and love it. I\'ve done some of my best writing sitting in the “comfy chair” in my “jammies.” (That\'s the best part.) Unfortunately, th…Like many women entr…Like many women entrepreneurs, I work out of my home and love it. I\'ve done some of my best writing sitting in the “comfy chair” in my “jammies.” (That\'s the best part.) Unfortunately, the comfy chair is in the garden room in front of the TV. It\'s also next to the kitchen, so I have basically hogged all of the communal living space as my office. I was constantly interrupted by the rest of the family (what nerve!) and began to feel like I was anchored to that chair. Something had to change! OK, someone had to change…. ME! I confess that I actually had a home office. Re…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
July 7, 2010
...or One that Will Put Food on your Table? You\'re not Alone. As a career coach, I have noticed an uptick of women who are re-evaluating their career focus and paths due to a scarcity of job oppor…...or One that Will …...or One that Will Put Food on your Table? You\'re not Alone. As a career coach, I have noticed an uptick of women who are re-evaluating their career focus and paths due to a scarcity of job opportunities or feeling unfulfilled in their current occupations. They are experiencing a conflict between pursuing their career dreams or accepting jobs that match their strengths and experience but are personally unfulfilling. Perhaps you can relate to this experience. I am currently working with a client who has 20 years of experience in administrative support. Her passions, however, are al…
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph. D.
June 3, 2010
