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... Read More

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-time job and... Read More

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 systemic... Read More

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 relate... Read More

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 had divided... Read More

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 to commit... Read More

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.  In it she... Read More