UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET REAL HIRING DECISION MAKERS

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INVEST IN YOURSELF
GET UP – GET OUT – GET GOING!

 

On Tuesday, February 10th, senior-level executives will gather in Mountain View, CA to discuss ways to increase diversity in their organizations, in particular including:

  • additional women
  • older workers, and
  • those returning to work after a career sabbatical.

 

MEET KEY DECISION MAKERS WHO COULD HIRE YOU!

As a member of the Connect•Work•Thrive community, you have earned a discounted rate for this day-long Summit. Sign up now as seats are limited: REGISTRATION

Developing Diverse Workforces: an Interview with CEO Johanna Wise

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Vicki Harrison, Founder of The Flex Frontier, recently interviewed Johanna Wise, CEO and Founder of Refresh Your Career and the Connect•Work•Thrive Conferences. Johanna shared some of the diversity trends she has been tracking, what they mean for individuals trying to resume their careers after sabbaticals, and how she is bringing employers to the table to start tackling the issue at the upcoming Silicon Valley Workforce Diversity Summit.

 

 

 

Feeling Limitless Possibilities or the Same-Old, Same-Old?

Same Old Same Old

We are two weeks into the New Year – are you still feeling the glow of limitless possibilities? Or has the feeling of same-old, same-old set in?

To gain clarity and a renewed sense of purpose, join us at the 2/4/15 Connect•Work•Thrive Conference, a full day of high-level workshops and 1-on-1 coaching sessions: https://refreshyourcareer.com

As an added benefit to our 2/4/15 attendees, WE ARE UNDERWRITING COMPLIMENTARY PASSES to the job search networking event at the Silicon Valley Workforce Diversity Summit on 2/10/15 at Microsoft in Mountain View, CA.

300+ senior level executives from a wide-range of industries are attending, eager to diversify their workforce: http://chambermv.org/workforce-diversity-summit/agenda

Don’t miss this unique opportunity!
https://refreshyourcareer.comOpportunity

 

 

 

The Gift of Purpose

The Gift of Purpose

Greetings Connect•Work•Thrive Supporters:

Do you have friends or family members who are seeking purpose in their careers? Are you?

As a gift to those who have supported our Connect•Work•Thrive mission, we are offering special pricing for our February 4th, 2015 Return to Work Conference. Bring friends and family members to this full day of workshops and 1-on-1 coaching sessions to gain clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.

Give those you care about – and YOURSELF – a unique gift this year.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year. And thank you, as always, for your support!

Q&A with Sharon Meers, Keynote Speaker at the October 22, 2014 Return to Work Conference

Sharon Meers       Megan Dean Farah

sharon meers     Megan Dean Farah
Sharon Meers is Head of Strategic Partnerships, eBay Enterprise
and co-author of Getting to 50/50

Guest blogger Megan Dean Farah attended the November 2013 Connect•Work•Thrive Return to Work Conference and was inspired to build her own global business communications consulting firm. She interviewed Sharon about her upcoming address.

Megan:
What do you, as a leader in both the technology and financial services industries, think we should be doing now to make it possible for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to participate in paid employment on terms that work for them?

Sharon:
We need to drive home the message that having taken time off from paid employment does not automatically pose a barrier to reentry. There are simply not enough highly intelligent, motivated people to solve all our world’s problems. If and when you want to return to work, please do. We need you!

Continue reading “Q&A with Sharon Meers, Keynote Speaker at the October 22, 2014 Return to Work Conference”

A Painful Truth About Career Gaps

Employment-Gap
I underwent a paradigm shift while organizing a conference to help job seekers with career gaps find employment. I reached out to a prominent career consultant, inviting him to speak at the upcoming Connect•Work•Thrive Return to Work Conference. He replied that he would be willing to discuss generically how to prepare for the 2014 job market, but did not want to help people who have gaps in their careers find jobs.

What?
Continue reading “A Painful Truth About Career Gaps”

Q&A with Sally Lieber, who Delivered the Welcome Address at the October 22, 2014 Return to Work Conference

        Sally Lieber           Megan Dean Farah

Sally Lieber     Megan Dean Farah
Sally Lieber serves as advisor to the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, an agency created through her legislation, and recently served on Attorney General Kamala D. Harris’ Transition Team working on women’s rehabilitation and mental health issues. She worked previously as Councilwoman and Mayor of the City of Mountain View, served in the California State Assembly from 2002 until 2008 representing California’s 22nd Assembly District, and as the Assembly’s Speaker pro Tempore, only the third woman to hold this leadership position since 1849. Sally holds a BA in Political Science from Stanford University.

Guest blogger Megan Dean Farah attended the November 2013 Connect•Work•Thrive Return to Work Conference and was inspired to build her own global business communications consulting firm. She interviewed Sally about her upcoming address.

Megan:
What do you, as a public policy maker, think we should be doing now to make it possible for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to participate in paid employment on terms that work for them?

Sally:
I’m really happy to see how community conversations surrounding career issues have evolved in recent years. In the past we only framed discussions of returning to work as a women’s issue Now we are discussing much larger changes in the structure of our economy that demand all of us to reinvent our work skills on an almost daily basis. Of course, zoom in on the issues and you’ll realize that we boomers have reinvented every stage of our lives leading up to today. It makes perfect sense that we’d continue to reshape work and retirement too.

Continue reading “Q&A with Sally Lieber, who Delivered the Welcome Address at the October 22, 2014 Return to Work Conference”

Reinvention

It Ain't Over 'til it's over

 

I recently spoke with a friend and mentor, who has been providing invaluable insights and encouragement for my business. He stipulated that the best job opportunities present themselves to those in their 30s and 40s. While that may be the case, career opportunities are ever present.

We are all presented with opportunities throughout our entire lifetimes. However, we may be most receptive during particular periods. Those of us who have worked continuously outside the home from our 20s onward may be most receptive and motivated in our 30s and 40s. Those who stepped out of the traditional workforce (to raise children, care for elderly relatives, participate in a start-up, write a book, travel, find ourselves, etc.), may have a receptive time frame which has shifted somewhat later.

The bottom line is, you and only you are in charge of your future.

Please join the Refresh Your Career: Connect•Work•Thrive LinkedIn group to access the following articles about midlife career opportunities:
Continue reading “Reinvention”

Positive Redirection

Purpose Venn Diagram

 

When I make a change in my life, I have been much more successful heading TOWARDS a target than running away from something. It is easier to move in a positive direction than away from a negative situation.

I am more able to accomplish what TO DO, than avoid what NOT TO DO.

Think about it: If I give you a goal, you understand where you’re headed. If I tell you not to do something, you are left with a void. How do you fill that void? By thinking about what not to do. And by dwelling on what you shouldn’t do, you begin to picture yourself doing it. And once you visualize it, you’re a nanosecond away from doing it.