This week’s 5 browseworthy links…

1. Attention all work-a-holics: step away from the keyboard (this includes those little blackberry keyboards too). With summer getting under way some people are planning at least some kind of get away. Then there are those of us who have hard time trying to remember how to even pronounce the word vacation. If you fall into the latter category check out this great article I found on the importance of getting away to reduce the likelihood of burnout: Changing Pace -and Place – to Avert Burnout.

2. I love the articles at WomanSuite so much I am adding them to the Career Makeover Coach blog roll! Great articles on how to win at work and related professional development topics for women. Must read articles: Hypervisibility at Work (Part 1 and 2).

3. Thinking of starting your own business? Many talented and skilled professionals are thumbing their noses at a job market that points a disapproving finger at their overqualified profiles. In addition, another group of corporate rockstars have decided to be proactive and look for ways to control their own income and “security.” For those questioning the best type of business to start here’s an INC.com slide show:  The Best Industries to Start a Business in Right Now.

4. Did you miss last weeks’ From Bright to Brilliant show with guest Ellie Nieves? Ellie gave some excellent tips for developing your personal brand. After you listen to the replay of the show – be sure to check out the transcript from an interview she did: How To Get Promoted.

5. Productivity 501 is a site focused on sharing tips and tools for increasing personal productivity. Authors blog about everything from money to workspace management. My favorite find on the s is their email course: Procrastination Prevention.

As “The Career Makeover Coach”, Tai Goodwin is on a mission to help ambitious individuals reinvent their professional lives by centering on their passion and purpose. Holding as a core belief that we are all called to divine purpose and gifted with a unique passion, Tai uses a results driven, spiritually grounded approach to help clients create career paths to support the lifestyle they desire. Whether it’s helping people go from embittered to empowered professionals or making the transition from employee to entrepreneur, Tai is committed to helping clients tap into their own potential for brilliance. Tai has been empowering others through teaching and coaching for over 14 years. A gifted and insightful communicator, Tai holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Drexel University and a Master of Science in Education from Capella University. She has completed ASTD’s (American Society for Training and Development) Coaching Certificate program and is pursuing professional coaching certification through the International Coach Academy. Originally from Philadelphia, Tai currently lives in Delaware with her daughter. She is currently working on her first book: Reclaiming Your Brilliance: Seven Ways to Take Your Life from Bright to Brilliant.

Web site: http://www.careermakeovercoach.com

By Margot Pritzker
 
For thousands of Chicagoans being laid off from what once were steady jobs, it’s the first time they’ve had to update their resume or remember decades-old interviewing tips they learned from their college career counselor. Job clubs have become popular, but when you suddenly find yourself at home, unemployed, spending your day searching Monster.com, how do you keep your skills sharp and leverage all networking opportunities?
 
Volunteer. But do it using your professional skills.
 
It’s easy to think of volunteering as a way to fill the hours in a day or to give back to a cause you care about, especially if you can no longer write a donation check. But for the highly-skilled professionals finding themselves laid off and in search of work, volunteering your professional skills is a great way to add substance to your resume, as well as network.
 
Not only does volunteering in this way provide non-profits with much-needed expertise, it will also allow an unemployed professional to maintain skills, add an interesting – and relevant – resume line, network with a wider variety of people, and get out of the house and into the professional world again. People often talk about having a ‘foot in the door.’ While the non-profit itself may not be able to offer a job, just being around other professionals will allow you to hear about opportunities first – from a non-profits’ clients, partners, colleagues’ friends, etc. You may even be able to get some tips to freshen your resume or cover letter from your new ‘colleagues’.’
 
The first step is to find a volunteer position that truly utilizes the special set of skills a professional can bring to the table. Often, non-profits don’t know where their volunteers are coming from or what kinds of skills they may have. Even if they are aware, non-profits don’t always know how to ask for specialized help. And volunteers don’t always think to offer it.
    
There are many online services that help link volunteers and nonprofits, including WomenOnCall.org, which specifically matches professional women volunteers with nonprofits. Explore what’s best for you, but most importantly get out there and see what’s in it for you – at the same time making a difference.

Margot Pritzker is the founder and president of WomenOnCall.org, Chicago’s first online network that seeks to successfully match women who are committed to volunteering their professional expertise with non-profit organizations.  These organizations have specific and immediate volunteer needs, and are thrilled to have women with such skills helping out.