Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Barrett-Newman.
Mary Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m a strong believer in the saying that “when a door closes, a window opens.” My window opened when the executive benefit consulting firm I had been with for more than 20 years was sold and even though I was a partner in the firm, my position was eliminated. Rather than jumping right back into what I had been doing previously, I decided to use this opportunity to think strategically about the next step in my career.
It was 2009, the economy was tanking, my industry was consolidating and I was not interested in working for a competitor. So, what was next?
I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful coach who helped guide me from where I was then, a senior executive at a boutique consulting firm, to where I am today, a career coach.
With a background in business and finance, I loved working with my clients at Fortune 500 companies, but when I took that step back, I realized that it was the “people” side of my responsibilities that truly spoke to me. Whether I was coaching a sales person on a client strategy or mentoring a young professional on career development those were the parts of my job I truly loved. And after some investigating, I learned that those were also the qualities my colleagues most valued.
I originally founded 2nd Career Consulting to coach women (and men) who had taken a career break and wanted to return to the workforce. As a result of the many client referrals I’ve received over the years, my business now includes mid-career professionals, as well as those in the early years of their professional lives. I find that the issues job seekers struggle with – confidence, navigating the online job search, effective networking – are the same, no matter the person’s situation or background.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
After deciding to create my own career coaching business, I did the things I would have done in my corporate life. I created a business plan and received training in relevant areas but then realized that “if you build it they won’t come”… unless you start talking about it. So, even though I was the head of sales in my prior life, I wasn’t very good at networking. With a new mantra of “what’s the worst that happens.” I started venturing out to tell my story and promote my business. My original focus was on women returning to the workforce, so I joined a number of women-focused networking groups as well as a local Women in Business Chamber group.
My first client resulted from an email I received from a woman who taught a yoga class I was taking. After taking a career break, she had returned to college to finish her education and now that she had her degree, was looking for help with the job search process. So, we bartered – yoga classes for career coaching. She then referred my first paying client to me… and I was in business!
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about 2nd Career Consulting – what should we know?
Although I have developed my 2nd Career Consulting Process©, which covers all aspects of career exploration and job search, it’s really my way of sharing with clients “these are all the things we can work on, let’s figure out what your specific needs are.” Knowing that each client is unique and each client’s wants and needs are also unique, the first step I take when working with a client is to have a “get to know you” meeting where we can together develop a plan that best suits her/his needs.
For those that aren’t quite sure the type of position they’re looking for, we will start by doing some “reflection & assessment.” Taking a step back and reflecting on likes/dislikes of both their prior positions and the cultures of those organizations can be an important step in figuring out not only the type of position that’s the best fit, but also the type of organization where they’re most likely to succeed.
From there, I ensure they have the right “tools”, including a contemporary and compelling Resume and a strong LinkedIn profile, which are critical to a successful job search. Depending upon a client’s career focus, social media may also be an essential element of the job search process.
Today’s job search is incredibly complex, so creating a Strategic Job Search Plan which includes setting weekly goals, networking, informational interviews, interview preparation, and coaching throughout the process can be the difference between a successful search and a long drawn out and frustrating experience. I also remind clients that no matter the level of position you’re seeking, all job offers have some wiggle room for negotiation. We will role-play and discuss how to best approach their new employer, ensuring a positive interaction with the potential for a successful “ask.”
Once the offer is accepted, the anxiety of starting a new job can set in. I’m available to not only help clients prepare for those first few days but also coach them through a successful onboarding process. Also, it’s not unusual for clients to call me months later for a couple coaching sessions to help them navigate issues they may be having or strategize on how to ask for that promotion.
With the flexibility of having my own firm, I’m also able to participate in a number of other organizations in related areas. In addition to 2nd Career Consulting, I am a mock interview consultant for Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a coach for iRelaunch, an organization focused on workforce re-entry. I volunteer as a career advisor at the Career Resource Center in Lake Forest, IL and am a frequent speaker on issues related to today’s job search and returning to the workforce after a career break.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’ve been told that my ability to empathize with a client’s situation, while at the same time hold them accountable and push them “just enough” are qualities people value. In addition, I’ve personally experienced both good and not-so-good managers as well as a variety of work environments. While I can be empathetic and often relate to what a client shares with me, I am also able to help them start looking forward, rather than back. I have some assessment exercises that can help them realize the value they bring to an organization. In addition, a sense of humor and sharing some of my own personal work experiences, help to build a relationship of trust with my clients
Contact Info:
- Website: 2ndcareerconsulting.com
- Email: marybeth@2ndcareerconsulting.com
- Twitter: @2ndcareer
Image Credit:
iRelaunch, LLC, Make it Better LLC, Career Resource Center
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