Gloria L. Hess | Career / Resume

Taking the right action after you’ve lost your job is not only important in terms of landing your next opportunity, but it could significantly influence your future career options, as well. Now consider the current economic climate, and it becomes imperative to use everything within your arsenal to help you make the best career decisions—and that includes seeking the guidance of an experienced and expert career coach.

Gloria L. Hess is an expert in helping mid- to senior-management professionals, executives and entrepreneurs better manage their careers. In addition to being a career/executive coach with a private practice, Gloria has 10 years of top-tier university career services experience that includes serving as the MSC Career Development Services Consultant/Coach for Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Communication Program, and as the Associate Director of Career and Corporate Alliances at the University of Chicago GSB (now Chicago Booth).

Gloria holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Communication from Northwestern University and is a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) who trained through the UW-Madison’s Center on Education and Work, receiving her certification through the Center for Credentialing and Education—an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Along with serving on this Expert Panel, Gloria is also the Regional Career Expert for ChicagoHires, and is an active member of Career Directors International, the National Career Development Association, the Career Management Alliance, the Association of Career Professionals International, the Career Planning and Adult Development Network, and the Human Capital Institute. Contact Gloria

Charlotte Weeks | Career / Resume

A 2008 study found that an average of 50 candidates apply to each open job. This number can increase drastically, depending on the position and the state of the economy. A professionally written résumé can make you stand out among the crowd, leading to more interviews, and ultimately a shorter job search.

Charlotte Weeks, CCMC, CPRW, is the founder and owner of Weeks Career Services, Inc. (www.weekscareerservices.com). As a Certified Career Management Coach and Certified Professional Résumé Writer, she has worked with hundreds of professionals in various industries, and specializes in the fields of management, marketing, sales, human resources, and finance. Prior to starting Weeks Career Services, Inc., she spent several years “on the other side,” working in human resources.

Charlotte holds a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University, and is a graduate of the Career Coach Academy. She is the president of The National Résumé Writers’ Association (NRWA) and is a member of Career Directors International (CDI) and the Professional Association of Résumé Writer’s and Career Coaches (PARW/CC). Contact Charlotte

Steve Golberg | Interviewing

Myth: The most qualified person lands the job.
Reality: In today’s market, 60% of the interview is based on qualifications and skill set and 40% is on “fit.” The person who gets hired is the one who does the best job of promoting and presenting their value and “fit” for the organization.

In the competitive environment we face, interviews are hard to come by; therefore, when given the opportunity you need to put your best foot forward. Steve Golberg helps job seekers develop their interviewing skills and their confidence to become more marketable and win the job interview. He teaches how to draw the relationship between ones skills and experiences and how they relate to the job. Steve also helps individuals understand how to connect with the person conducting the interview while focusing in on what’s important.

Steve Golberg, President, We Place People, (www.weplacepeople.com), is an industry expert based on his 20 plus years as an Executive across multiple industries where he has interviewed, hired and placed over 1,000 candidates within his career. Steve has mentored and coached numerous individuals through their careers which led them to Executive positions. Contact Steve

Glenn Raines | Personal Branding – Social Media

We live in times of unparalleled challenges, and yet enlightening hope. The tectonic shifts in our market economies, society and institutions are giving way to a whole new sense of “being.” Gone (or quickly leaving) is the “brand story” once sold by mass marketing and consumption. In its place is the emerging “we economy” that is now dictating how brands are ultimately defined and valued.

And so it goes in this new age of the job seeker. No longer is a relevant list of titles, degrees and work experience good enough. Relevance is the new commodity. Today’s job seeker has to be incredible. And their incredibleness has to jump off the page. The art of looking for a job has moved the needle from “searchability” to “findability.” Today, employers hire those they find incredible.

Glenn Raines is founder and Revealer of Value at Social Media Moves. He helps people evolve or create a personal brand that transcends the metaphor of a “packaging solution.” One that moves in step with the understated nuance and etiquette of social media networking, where authenticity and “paying things forward” is valued. Glenn has been a Fortune 100 brand marketer, agency creative director and Internet business strategist. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California.

Jeffrey Mitchell | Networking

Maybe you are out of work. Perhaps you have been looking at ways to transition to a new career or a different company. You might be someone who knows they “should” be networking, but the thought makes you break into a cold sweat. Or maybe you have tried everything you know and STILL can’t find a job.

Jeffrey is a former executive recruiter with expertise on both job search and outplacement strategies. Currently he works as admissions advisor at the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University, as the leader of the nonprofit Close to the Heart International, and as a career counselor. With a B.A. degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Psychology from North Central College, he has both a theoretical foundation in addition to professional experience. Jeffrey maintains a blog as the Chicago Networking Examiner and a less formal blog to help job seekers.

Veronica Ludwig | Recruiting

Tenacity, preparation and follow up are the cornerstones of landing the position you want in today’s difficult employment environment. Despite the current dismal economic climate, Chicago land companies are hiring, but the competition is keen. So you have to work at being one, better yet, two steps in front of the competition.

As a professional recruiter, Veronica Ludwig has specialized in direct hire accounting and finance search for 4 consecutive years. She has also consulted with clients on recruiting for Human Resources professionals as well as temporary and temp-to-hire staffing. In 2007 Veronica co-founded the Skilled Recruiters Network of Chicago (SRNC) and served on the Board of Directors acting as the Treasurer and Charitable Director until 2009.

Every other month, Veronica will co-host a FREE Career Strategy Symposium for job seekers, sponsored by Connect Work Chicago, to provide information for the unemployed community to get ahead of the competition on their job search.Contact Veronica

Brad Lazarus | Personal Finance

You are here for a new career, but your personal finances will not leave you alone! Studies show that financial stress takes away significant amounts of time, energy, and motivation from your life. The sooner you face that financial elephant in the room, the sooner you can dedicate 100% to finding your new job. Financial guidance is here for you.

Brad A. Lazarus is Founder and Principal of Omega Advisors LLC, the premier hourly, as-needed financial planner in Chicago. Omega Advisors is an independent financial planning firm that delivers conflict-free, affordable financial advice and education for individuals from all walks of life. Brad found it most rewarding to work with unemployed professionals, handling their financial affairs to allow them the freedom to focus on what matters most: their careers.

Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in Business from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He earned the Financial Planning Certificate from the College of Financial Planning at DePaul University. Brad is Founder of the Association of Aspiring Business Leaders, a forum for entrepreneurs in Chicago. He also serves on the Board of the Illinois Holocaust Remembrance Committee. Contact Brad

PJ McGuire | Business Etiquette

Did you know that only 15% of your career success is due to your technical skills? 85% is based on your people skills – that’s why it’s critical to not only write a stellar resume and practice interview questions but you must also enhance your people skills to land (and succeed) at the job you want.

PJ McGuire is Founder and President of Modet, Inc. , a modern business etiquette and protocol training firm based in Chicago. After nearly 10 years of sales and management experience with Fortune 500 companies she decided to pursue her lifelong passion of helping others improve their lives through etiquette.

From the job seeker looking for an edge over the competition to new hires trying to build profitable relationships with clients, PJ’s workshops, one-on-one coaching, e-learning and job seeker webinars provide the knowledge and skills necessary to take control of your career transition and reach your professional goals.

PJ holds a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences from Ohio University and is a Certified Etiquette and Protocol Consultant. Contact PJ

Deborah Sakelaris | Business / Life Coach

When asked the value of the coaching investment, 98.5% of coaching clients said their investment in a coach was well worth the money. Coaching not only enhances the personal and professional development, it helps lessen stress and provides for great self discovery. Statistic show that hiring a Life coach improves quality of life, increases energy, increases confidence, enhances communication skills and helps clients have better relationships, more fun and more income.

Deborah Sakelaris is the President and Owner of Rodas Coaching, LLC, a Business and Life Coaching firm dedicated to helping individuals create passion, joy and success in their lives. Deborah is a certified professional coach through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching. Her coaching expertise is in transition, energy leadership, and work/life balance. She has over 20 years of progressive experience, including work at the Walt Disney World Company, in training and development, management and recruiting. Deborah’s passion for helping others live their dreams, allows her clients the space they need to be empowered, inspired, and driven to achieve their goals.

Deborah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism/PR and a Master’s Degree in Business from Ball State University. Deborah also attended the Coaches Training Institute, volunteers for several organizations and sits on the board of Get Healthy Chicago. Contact Deborah

Tom Besore | Legal Affairs

It’s essential to know your rights and responsibilities as you navigate your way through a career search. This transition is a terrific time for a review of the latest trends in employment law and for a review of your own personal affairs. Having an advocate at your side is a critical to avoid common misunderstandings in the process of career transition.

Attorney Tom Besore can help you navigate the legal issues associated with your transition. In addition to his seminars on employment law and personal estate planning, he offers a complimentary consultation as a way to get to know you and assess the fit between attorney and client. This is a critical resource available to you along your path to success.
A lifelong resident of the Chicago area, Tom holds both an undergraduate and masters degree from the University of Illinois. He earned his law degree from Loyola University Chicago and has been in private practice for twelve years. He represents individuals transitioning in the workforce as they seek new employment or initiate their own business enterprises. His practice includes a variety of transactional areas including new business enterprises, asset protection and personal estate planning.Contact Tom