About Maria Escobar-Bordyn

Career & Professional Development Coach

Recent posts

• Comment on Maria Escobar-Bordyn's answer…

  0 0 Rates can vary, anywhere from $50 to $200 per hour. For the caliber you might need expect to pay somewhere between $90 and $125--(and remember, you get what you pay for. Don't commit to paying for a 'package' of hours in advance. Depending on how self-sufficient you are, and how much you are able to do on your own, having a few appts focused on strategy, feedback, and possible resume feedback may be all you need. I knew a person who focused on helping people transition from military to other, but I'm not coming up with her name right now. If I can find it, I'll send it on to you. Maria Escobar-Bordyn commented about 1 year ago

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  What are some Seattle based Job-Resources that I can access only Online and over the telephone?

  2 0 There are many resources available online and via phone. If you google 'career coaching Seattle', you can get a list of resources in the Puget Sound area (including my company's). Many of us regularly coach clients by phone as part of our services. Once you've identified a few, contact them and set up a time for a courtesy meeting. Make sure the person you select is a good fit for you. Based on what you are looking to do, coaching may be the best place to start. A good career coach can help you identify what skills and competencies you have that are transferable and can help you position your experience on a resume to get more attention. They can then help you develop a strategy for how to get visibility in the firms or organizations you hope to target. The site mentioned by Squirrel Girl are great! In addition here's a link to additional organizations (including governmental agencies). http://www.bridgewaycareer.com/Seattle_Career_Center.html The challenge will be that many organizations aren't set up to interview over the weekend, and this will be particularly true of governmental agencies. That doesn't mean that you can't be successful in a search that way, you'll just have to develop creative strategies. Good luck to you! Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Job Hunting about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on MyrnaMinkoff's answer…

  0 0 Great suggestion, Myrna! More and more people are being found by recruiters this way. Yes, Reutte, update your profile and make sure it highlights what you want to be doing, not just what you've done. Read through other people's profiles for ideas. Maria Escobar-Bordyn commented about 1 year ago

• Comment on Maria Escobar-Bordyn's answer…

  0 0 Informational interviews are better conducted in person when possible. They have a chance to see you and get to know you differently (and almost 70% of communication is visual, which you won't get by phone). They will remember you for a longer period of time if they've met you in person. You'll also tend to get better information in person. If you can wait, that may be best. However, if you need to get something going now, can you start with some easy ones. Or, if you know you'll be in town during a certain week, get the meetings set up now. "....I'll be in Seattle the week of February 14th and would like to set up a meeting that week at your convenience." That way you have some things already scheduled. This also prevents the 'well, when you get in town, call me' response. Maria Escobar-Bordyn commented about 1 year ago

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  I'm a student and I need a VALUABLE part time job. Where do I even start?

  0 0 I agree with many of the suggestions already listed. And yes, applying for jobs is definitely frustrating. What you do in ANY job can be a resume builder. I imagine, being in customer service-type roles, you've encountered many situations that have been challenging and you've handled them well. Your customer/people skills will be valuable in just about any role you target. If you're referring to finding a part time job that is more related to your future field, then the first step (after getting clarity on what strengths/skills you have)would be to identify particular organizations or places you'd like to work, and see what kinds of things they look for. Meet with people in those organizations to find out more about their organization and the work, and listen to see where your skills already match what they might be looking for. Then ask them about part-time (or even volunteer) opportunities. Even unpaid experience is experience you can put on a resume! Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

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  Is calling HR the right thing to do here?

  0 0 It is absolutely appropriate work search behavior to go directly to the source. In fact, especially during tight markets, your ability to contact the people most interested in your background (the hiring managers) directly. As already mentioned, if they're good, they are always on the lookout for good talent, whether or not there is a posted opening. Although an HR person can be helpful when they're is an actual opening, it is rare they will take the time to talk to someone if there is no known opening. (They're busy!) Rather than just calling to find out about openings, consider contacting people who do the work you are interested in and find out from them what it's like, how they found their job, what works, and other questions that will give you more insigth into the field. In addition, try and set up informational interviews with people who actually hire people like you (not HR), to find out what they look for, what additional insight into the field. Do this even if they don't have a current opening. It's a great way to learn more, get visibility and, who knows? It could lead to a position! In any economy, and especially tight ones, it is always valuable to go direct---do it appropriately, but go directly to your best source: your future boss. Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  How to explain a weird education issue on resume?

  1 0 I agree with Dan.The more you say about it, the more defensive it can sound. I had a client a couple of years ago who thought she'd completed her degree and, only after a background check conducted by a prospective, discovered she hadn't(1 class short,which she thought she'd done). She called her university and ultimately negotiated with them to do 2 months of independent study and write a paper, and she completed her degree. I'd suggest you call your university and see what you can arrange with them. You might find them open to helping you work that out. Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  What are the best ways to prompt for a raise negotiation?

  1 0 I agree with both Dan and Careers. I would also add that one's best negotiating strategy is based really on only one thing: what they bring, or are doing that makes them indispensable, and that makes them 'the answer to the problem'. Why you want it or need it doesn't really matter. What have you done above and beyond what was asked that warrants additional consideration? Also, know your worth in your marketplace...with emphasis on YOUR marketplace (different industries/sizes of companies will have different compensation strategies). Do your research (salary.com is a good place to start, and talking to people in similar fields). You may never bring those amounts up in the conversation, but it helps to give you a baseline. Be sure to prepare in advance for the conversation. Pick the proper time (not just when it's best for you, but best for your manager)-your goal is to have him/her be receptive to the conversation. Know what you want to say, and anticipate questions you'll be asked. As a 'wing it' kind of person, this was the hardest thing for me to learn. But I've found, in a conversation such as this, I'm always more effective and professional if I'm prepared. Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on Maria Escobar-Bordyn's answer…

  0 0 :-) It's interesting how many times I hear that from clients-- maybe my role should be 'chief validator'?! It sounds like you're on the right path. Good luck to you! Maria Escobar-Bordyn commented about 1 year ago

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  I've been looking for almost a year, what am I doing wrong?

  1 0 Hi Mandy-- I don't think it's so much that you are going about it the wrong way, but there may be strategies you can add to your search to make it more effective. I agree with with Ms. Careers--make sure your resume is written to match what the posting indicates they are looking for. That way you stand a better chance of not being overlooked, or making through the dreaded database search. And I also agree with Infernactual: there's tremendous value in going directly to organizations you are interested in working for. And, frankly, I'd do it whether or not they have a posted opening. Even though the job market has picked up, believe it or not, there are still jobs that are available that aren't being posted. And, many times, those that are posted already have candidates in the queue. Doesn't seem right, but that's the reality. In the last 2 weeks I've had 2 clients land positions for which there wasn't originally a posting. In one case, the position was going through the approval process when my client 'happened' to contact them (he got the job!); in the other case a contact helped them get an informational interview with a person, who ultimately took interest in them and created a position. Targeting and networking (that dreaded word!) were what made the difference for both of them.Add these proactive strategies to your current ones, and you may see a difference. Good luck to you, Mandy! Maria Escobar-Bordyn answered in Un/Employment about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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